flow

[Dozer]

I've been doing some searching on here and RC and I've seen many posts involving flow, but I'd like to do a quick check and find out how much most of you all on this site have.

1. How much total flow do you have in your tank(s)?
2. What is the equipment you're using?
3. How is the flow located? - meaning returns near the top pointed at the glass, spraybars, low returns, etc
4. Are you happy with your flow now or will you be changing it soon and why?

[NaCl_H2O]

1. How much total flow do you have in your tank(s)?
Three tanks: SPS=30x, LPS=20x, Clam=~15x

2. What is the equipment you're using?
Sump return pump provides no more than 5x to each tank, the rest of the flow comes from closed loops connected to Oceanmotions squirts on SPS & LPS tanks, I use a SCWD on the clam tank. The OM is FAR superior to the SCWD.

3. How is the flow located? - meaning returns near the top pointed at the glass, spraybars, low returns, etc
The SPS & LPS tanks have 10 nozzles each: 2 from sump returns, and 8 from two OMs. They are pointed towards the opposite end of the tank & downwash around the LR.

4. Are you happy with your flow now or will you be changing it soon and why?
Already changed it several times - I'm happy now

[GaryP]

Mike,

If you ever find anything on how to engineer a spray bar so that it is easily maintained let me know. I have tried it in the past. I love the concept, just not the reality of how to make it work on a practical basis.

[Dozer]

From what I've read Gary, I tend to agree, but was wondering if maybe anyone was doing it.

I'm just trying to figure out what everyone else is doing. I'm in the process of figuring out how to upgrade my flow right now, so I need to find out how much to add and how.

[Dozer]

Anyone else? I know some of you all are running crazy flow/turnover, here's your chance to talk about it!

[Tim Marvin]

Tunze 6080 and Dart with SQWD on 80 gallon.

[::pete::]

Why a spray bar? There are many differert diy deals out there that can compliment any system (including spray bars), but it all depends on what the final plan is!!

I have no spray bar and my flow is UNREAL

[MikeDeL]

So what are the problems with spray bars that make them unpractical?

[Tim Marvin]

They are unsightly, push water in little streams, and still uni-directional.

[Dozer]

I think I made it sound confusing. I wasn't saying I'm planning a spraybar, I was just curious about anything other people might be running. If someone had a spraybar, I just wanted to find out about it. If they are doing something else, I wanted to find out about whatever they're doing.

Basically I think I want to increase the flow in my tank so I'm gathering information. I've heard good things about the Tunze powerheads so that's a possibility. Currently I'm running a closed loop with a PanWorld 100PX. The display is 125g. Only other flow currently is an Iwaki return pump that is rated at 960gph, but I have dialed back because my overflow can't keep up. I estimate about 1500gph right now in my display. I'm trying to decide if I want to increase it. Also I'm trying to figure out good ways to get the flow to all areas of the tank. I have some that flow a lot, others that are stagnant and have cyano...

How do you do your flow Pete?

NaCl- Thanks for the info! I like what you did, it's giving me ideas...

[Tim Marvin]

A tunze 6080 or two will do an excellent job. I would start with one since you have a good sized sand bed and see how it does. also put your return on a SQWD and it will break up the flow.

[Dozer]

Somehow I knew you would Tim (of course you had told me that before so I'm not exactly psychic :) ). 2250 gph, wow. If I was to add that to what I already currently have, plus the Magnum I'm thinking of adding at another 350gph, that's about 33x turnover. That seems like too much, or would it just be a matter of mounting and pointing things properly? Or would it be smarter to no longer use the PanWorld if I add the Tunze 6080?

Of course it depends on what I'm going to be keeping, right? I plan on a combination tank that will eventually have slightly more SPS than LPS, plus 5-6 medium to larg fish (or 4-5 medium to large fish and a handful of small Chromis) and a big LTA.

[Tim Marvin]

I would just run the return pump and tunze.

[CD]

Mike,

We put a 6080 in our 75 :huh and it was a little much in the flow department. Had this issue of water going over the top of the far end of the tank. We are using now a 6060 and Seio 820 in the 75 at the present and, oddly enough, it doesn't seem excessive. You wouldn't have any problem with a 6080 in your tank. It sounds like a ton of flow but it is a well spread flow. We are using a Mag9.5 thru a sqwd for return and a Mag18 running the skimmer.
If you decide to part with the PanWorld, let me know please.

Chris