To Make Waves or Not?

KMP · 09-19-2006, 01:09 AM

Just hooked up my third MJ900. One has constant power and rotates a Hydor-flow. The other two are plugged into a Natual Wavemaker and currently set to alternate every 50 seconds. Just wanted to hear from the pros on which is best regarding the two pumps on the timer - wave movement by having the two on a wavemaker or having all three running at the same time for increased flow.

I have a 24g Aquapod so whether the water flows from front to rear or side to side would be the same. Stock it had 295gph flow, with two MJ900s it has 460gph, if all three were running it would have 690gph (minus reduced flow rate for bends of course).

12g Dude · 09-19-2006, 01:46 AM

I would estimate that the increased waterflow from front to rear would do more harm than good. Sounds like your MJ's are more than capable of handling your 24G aquapod current needs. Sometimes more is not better. I suggest kiling the hydor and sticking with the Wavemaker on 50 Sec intervals. By the way...Get rid of then dang damsels!

KMP · 09-19-2006, 01:52 AM

^ I talk to you day in and day out about this stuff and you never have anything to say. Then I get the dang pump, hook it up, and you have an opinion

Yes, I need to get rid of the Damsels you talked me into as "bait fish" to test my water. No, I will not flush them. And while we're at it - take the poll!

boozeman · 09-19-2006, 08:58 AM

blue_eyes53813 · 09-19-2006, 09:15 AM

At IMAC at one of the presentations about flow, it is best to have a circular motion of the water like right cirlce than reverse the flow to left circular.. I have no idea how to accomplish that, lol... But you could go like 3 minute intervals in each direction...

It is also a good idea to have flow at the top of the water to create oxygen exchange. I dont know if "waves" are actually needed all the time..

You got a huge amount of flow for that size tank..

Witfull · 09-20-2006, 01:02 PM

i prefer side to side cross waving.

Kensn · 09-20-2006, 01:07 PM

I think an alternating flow would keep you from having dead spots in the tank and keep debris in the water column to be skimmed or filtered out. As far as what type of alternating flow..... I don't know...

KMP · 09-20-2006, 10:59 PM

thanks for everyones input - except for 12gDude

i had a closed loop going around the top of my tank with two outlets in either corner pointing to the rear of the tank. i began thinking about water direction when i noticed one front corner seemed as if it were not getting much flow. my intent was to add another pump and have it running continuous. however, since i hand the natural wave maker powerstrip i was able to have the pumps alternate - front f/50 sec and then rear f/50 sec. now i can see the frogspawn in the once dormant corner swaying as the the outlets in the rear are pushing water towards the front of the tank.

i agree, side to side would be best, but in my case front to rear and side to side is the same since it's only a 24g tank (Aquapod).

Witfull · 09-20-2006, 11:11 PM

such a small tank,,,hard to do

mps9506 · 09-21-2006, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue_eyes53813

At IMAC at one of the presentations about flow, it is best to have a circular motion of the water like right cirlce than reverse the flow to left circular.. I have no idea how to accomplish that, lol... But you could go like 3 minute intervals in each direction...

It is also a good idea to have flow at the top of the water to create oxygen exchange. I dont know if "waves" are actually needed all the time..

You got a huge amount of flow for that size tank..

Out of curisosity what was the presenters basis for the circular flow vs right to left or up to down or any other direction for that matter?

I do agree that it is very important to have turbulant water up top to increase gas exchange. In addition to making the halides look "purdy."

KMP · 09-21-2006, 02:05 PM

quick update.

i still have the pumps on a timer so the water circulation goes towards the front for 50 seconds and then to the back for 50 secs. so of the 3 pumps; 1 is constant and the other 2 alternate which accounts for 460gph flow.

my pom-pom xenia is more upright than before, the sun coral is out more frequently, and the frog spawn is fuller than before.

regardless of the science behind it; the change in water circulation has been a benefit for all inhabitants.

boozeman · 09-21-2006, 02:16 PM

till the new tunze nanostreams hit the market

Charlie97L · 09-22-2006, 02:18 PM

do we have specs on those yet?

are they controllable?

KMP · 09-22-2006, 06:43 PM

any links?

boozeman · 09-22-2006, 07:43 PM

did someone say link?
http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/cat...oducts_id=1073
they are an RS sponsor...and scott is a nice guy to work with Aquariumspecialty.com

View Poll Results: Is it better to make waves or increase flow?
Alternating water flow from front to back simulates wave movement.	10	43.48%
Alternating water flow from front to back moves the water but does not simulate wave movement.	4	17.39%
You are better off running all pumps at the same time for maximum water flow.	9	39.13%
Voters: 23. You may not vote on this poll

09-19-2006, 01:09 AM	#1 (permalink)
KMP Torch coral Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Woodland, CA Posts: 585 View Gallery Karma Komment	To Make Waves or Not? Just hooked up my third MJ900. One has constant power and rotates a Hydor-flow. The other two are plugged into a Natual Wavemaker and currently set to alternate every 50 seconds. Just wanted to hear from the pros on which is best regarding the two pumps on the timer - wave movement by having the two on a wavemaker or having all three running at the same time for increased flow. I have a 24g Aquapod so whether the water flows from front to rear or side to side would be the same. Stock it had 295gph flow, with two MJ900s it has 460gph, if all three were running it would have 690gph (minus reduced flow rate for bends of course). __________________ Kenny 24g Aquapod, 24lb Live Rock, 28lb Live Sand, (3) MJ 900s (25.5w, 460gph), Closed Loop Circulation Nanocustoms 4.36 Series Lighting (144w), (2) 36w 10000k Daylights. (2) 36w Actinics, (1) R2 Moonlights

09-19-2006, 01:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
12g Dude Tubeworm Join Date: May 2006 Location: Vacaville Ca Posts: 33 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: To Make Waves or Not? I would estimate that the increased waterflow from front to rear would do more harm than good. Sounds like your MJ's are more than capable of handling your 24G aquapod current needs. Sometimes more is not better. I suggest kiling the hydor and sticking with the Wavemaker on 50 Sec intervals. By the way...Get rid of then dang damsels! __________________ 90 OceanicTech Series (In Progress) 55 Gallon (Fish Only) 32 Gallon Bowfront Reef 12 Gallon NanoCube (72 watt modded hood with Chiller) http://www.danasoft.com/sig/BarracudaLover.jpg

09-19-2006, 01:52 AM	#3 (permalink)
KMP Torch coral Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Woodland, CA Posts: 585 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: To Make Waves or Not? ^ I talk to you day in and day out about this stuff and you never have anything to say. Then I get the dang pump, hook it up, and you have an opinion Yes, I need to get rid of the Damsels you talked me into as "bait fish" to test my water. No, I will not flush them. And while we're at it - take the poll! __________________ Kenny 24g Aquapod, 24lb Live Rock, 28lb Live Sand, (3) MJ 900s (25.5w, 460gph), Closed Loop Circulation Nanocustoms 4.36 Series Lighting (144w), (2) 36w 10000k Daylights. (2) 36w Actinics, (1) R2 Moonlights

09-19-2006, 08:58 AM	#4 (permalink)
boozeman The CodFather ~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: new york Posts: 8,800 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: To Make Waves or Not? __________________ ...and when I'm old and wise little things mean little to me like autumn winds they'll blow right through me and someday, in the mist of time when they ask you if you knew me remember that you were a friend of mine

09-19-2006, 09:15 AM	#5 (permalink)
blue_eyes53813 Hey!Its not my fault Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lancaster, Wisconsin Posts: 6,255 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: To Make Waves or Not? At IMAC at one of the presentations about flow, it is best to have a circular motion of the water like right cirlce than reverse the flow to left circular.. I have no idea how to accomplish that, lol... But you could go like 3 minute intervals in each direction... It is also a good idea to have flow at the top of the water to create oxygen exchange. I dont know if "waves" are actually needed all the time.. You got a huge amount of flow for that size tank.. __________________ 265 Gallon Reef built into basement wall. Lighting = 6x250 watts MH, 2x96 watt PC ,and 2x140 watt VHO for a total watt of 1,972 watts . New addition on 4-14-07 of 100 gallon sump and 100 gallon refugium. I think I have lost my mind. Gotta love this hobby Vicki Life is like a pathway of untrodden snow. Be careful how you step in it for every mark will show Definition of FRIENDSHIP: All lives touch other lives to create something new and alive My tank chronicles. http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...wall-reef.html

09-20-2006, 01:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
Kensn Elegance coral Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Auburn Wa. Posts: 1,249 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: To Make Waves or Not? I think an alternating flow would keep you from having dead spots in the tank and keep debris in the water column to be skimmed or filtered out. As far as what type of alternating flow..... I don't know... __________________ Ken When the ebbing tide retreats Along the rocky shoreline It leaves a trail of tidal pools In a short-lived galaxy Rush

09-20-2006, 10:59 PM	#8 (permalink)
KMP Torch coral Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Woodland, CA Posts: 585 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: To Make Waves or Not? thanks for everyones input - except for 12gDude i had a closed loop going around the top of my tank with two outlets in either corner pointing to the rear of the tank. i began thinking about water direction when i noticed one front corner seemed as if it were not getting much flow. my intent was to add another pump and have it running continuous. however, since i hand the natural wave maker powerstrip i was able to have the pumps alternate - front f/50 sec and then rear f/50 sec. now i can see the frogspawn in the once dormant corner swaying as the the outlets in the rear are pushing water towards the front of the tank. i agree, side to side would be best, but in my case front to rear and side to side is the same since it's only a 24g tank (Aquapod). __________________ Kenny 24g Aquapod, 24lb Live Rock, 28lb Live Sand, (3) MJ 900s (25.5w, 460gph), Closed Loop Circulation Nanocustoms 4.36 Series Lighting (144w), (2) 36w 10000k Daylights. (2) 36w Actinics, (1) R2 Moonlights

09-21-2006, 02:05 PM	#11 (permalink)
KMP Torch coral Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Woodland, CA Posts: 585 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: To Make Waves or Not? quick update. i still have the pumps on a timer so the water circulation goes towards the front for 50 seconds and then to the back for 50 secs. so of the 3 pumps; 1 is constant and the other 2 alternate which accounts for 460gph flow. my pom-pom xenia is more upright than before, the sun coral is out more frequently, and the frog spawn is fuller than before. regardless of the science behind it; the change in water circulation has been a benefit for all inhabitants. __________________ Kenny 24g Aquapod, 24lb Live Rock, 28lb Live Sand, (3) MJ 900s (25.5w, 460gph), Closed Loop Circulation Nanocustoms 4.36 Series Lighting (144w), (2) 36w 10000k Daylights. (2) 36w Actinics, (1) R2 Moonlights

09-21-2006, 02:16 PM	#12 (permalink)
boozeman The CodFather ~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: new york Posts: 8,800 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: To Make Waves or Not? till the new tunze nanostreams hit the market __________________ ...and when I'm old and wise little things mean little to me like autumn winds they'll blow right through me and someday, in the mist of time when they ask you if you knew me remember that you were a friend of mine

09-22-2006, 02:18 PM	#13 (permalink)
Charlie97L Reef Lobster Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Bethesda, MD Posts: 1,288 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: To Make Waves or Not? do we have specs on those yet? are they controllable? __________________ 40 Breeder, 20H Frag Aquactinics T5s, CPR Fuge, Deltec AP600, AC Jr, WavySea

09-22-2006, 06:43 PM	#14 (permalink)
KMP Torch coral Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Woodland, CA Posts: 585 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: To Make Waves or Not? any links? __________________ Kenny 24g Aquapod, 24lb Live Rock, 28lb Live Sand, (3) MJ 900s (25.5w, 460gph), Closed Loop Circulation Nanocustoms 4.36 Series Lighting (144w), (2) 36w 10000k Daylights. (2) 36w Actinics, (1) R2 Moonlights

09-22-2006, 07:43 PM	#15 (permalink)
boozeman The CodFather ~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: new york Posts: 8,800 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: To Make Waves or Not? did someone say link? http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/cat...oducts_id=1073 they are an RS sponsor...and scott is a nice guy to work with Aquariumspecialty.com __________________ ...and when I'm old and wise little things mean little to me like autumn winds they'll blow right through me and someday, in the mist of time when they ask you if you knew me remember that you were a friend of mine

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