best flow configuration for a 65?

[CTaylor]

Hi everyone,

Right now I have 2 Tunze 6000 (1800 gph each, the adjustable type), one of them is on at any one time, with 6 hour intervals (until i get the nice controller by Tunze), and two maxi 1200 on a corallife timer (my red sea wave maker died..no comment on their customer service). Also, have a SQWD on a 900 mag return.
Anyhow, I'm not getting good flow through a large proportion of my tank. The front glass of course is getting great current, since the pumps point at angles toward it. I think people think the current will bounce off the glass, but it doesnt... it goes more along the glass than being reflected by it.
I dont want to aim pumps the other way, since that would give some corals direct high concentrated current. Though I do feel that I need to add at least two more power heads. I was thinking of Tunze 6100 (or which ever is the least $ of the streams).. and run those on 6 hour intervals.. And run the adjustable Tunze's on the new 7045(?) controller. Any other suggestions? I dont want to do a huge plumbing project, especially since the wide flow output of the Tunzes seems to be the best type of current.

 

[rvitko]

This is for a 65gal? What dimensions?

 

[CTaylor]

hi,

36"x18"x24" high

thanx

 

[rvitko]

I would not upgrade the pumps. I think the critical element you are missing is the controller. First, make sure the pumps are clean, inside and out, check the magnets, check the screens, clean them with vinegar. I would change the flow direction a bit. The tank is small so this is likely too sharp to deflect the flow properly. Do this, Front corner across lengthwise and back corner acros lengthwise and when you get a controller run them in Interval II mode which will idel one pump at 30% while pulsing the other and then they switch, you could also use pulse mode and pulse both of them, The 6100's would more than double the flow and just be to much. You just need to get them aimed right and running in the right modes, for now use a timer but with 1hr intervals and maybe a 10-15minute overlap.

 

[CTaylor]

hey roger,

just to be clear,
either:
putting both pumps in the right corner (one in the back corner, and one in the front), both pointing to the left
or
putting both in the left corner (one in front, one in back), and having them point to the right.

is what I need to do, right? That makes sense if that's the case, since one would make a clockwise current, the other counter clockwise

 

[rvitko]

I would put one in the front left and one in the back right or vice versa.

 

[CTaylor]

hey roger,

but that ends up being just one-directional flow it seems. Both pumps would seem to cause a counter clockwise pattern if they are put as you just said. no?

Maybe it would be good to have it just as you said, but to angle the pumps slightly toward the opposite corner of the tank (but not turned all the way to the opposite corner.. just a few degreess)?

 

[rvitko]

Well, the plan would be that because one is at 30% when the other is at 100% the current would shift and be strong enough in one way for a short while to make a clockwise current from the bounceback and then switch and the stronger bounceback would be counterclockwise. Angling them slightly might help, these things are largely trial and error.