Proper Flow

[deaclauderdale]

I thought I would start tis thread to get some good ideas on positioning of equipment to maximize flow. How and where do you postion return nozzles, wavemakers, and powerheads. How are you sure that you have proper circulation around the tank. Please give ideas and thoughts on this, i want the best flow possible for furture inhabitants and to stimy nuisance algae growth.

I have a 100 gallon with approximately 2700 gallons of flow.

[ReefGuy69]

There really is no one solid answer. So many different variables need to be taken into account when deciding on flow. If trying to stunt algae from growing its best to just make sure you dont have any dead spots (or areas with no flow at all). I used (2) maxijet 1200's, one on each side, hooked up to a wavemaker, along with my Eheim and that seemed to do just fine in a 125gal. The main thing is making sure you have no dead spots. Everything after that is preference or to do with placement of corals, ect..

[deaclauderdale]

Ok

[Woodstock]

You have to adjust and try many different positions before you get the right flow. What seems to work for me is to have a strong powerhead (in my case a maxijet 900 PH with an oceanflow mod) at the opposite end from the return output. My PH is on a wave timer set to 1 min on/1 min off; it is directed towards/against the return's water flow. This works very well for me. Here is a video showing the flow on my elongata xenia coral that is placed in the rear of the tank.

(Sorry for the poor quality)

[deaclauderdale]

That's some real good flow. but I don't have anything that can sway yet so I do I determine if the flow is good?

[Michiana]

You can check for "flow" by taking a dowel / stick / coathanger wire about 3 feet long and tying a 4-6 inch piece of thread / string to the end. Place the end with the thread in various locations within your tank and judge the flow for yourself

[ReefGuy69]

Michiana thats a good idea. Ive always wanted to know which way the water was flowing in certain parts of the tank and unless there was some debris or sand floating in that area i couldnt be able to tell. But now I can. Cool Beans!

[Billm78]

I use two Maxi jets 1600 at opposite ends of the tank facing each other at a 45 degree angle. The two currents collided in the center of my tank mid level and create a great random flow. All my corals sway in the changing current and seam to being doing great. The timer idea is great it is just costly and requires several pump that equal more maintenance and cleaning. Nozzles and all the other connectors can be a hassle to set up and are not visually pleasing. I really enjoy the keep it simple strategy. I don’t think my method would work well for large tanks, but for 36 inch long or less length tanks it is great. Just an idea.

[deaclauderdale]

Gonna try the string method of figuring out flow.