Best flow/wave action in a CL?

[tmorey]

I am setting up a 150g with a Sequence Dart closed loop and am wanting some opinions on the best flow/wave action? I've read about SQWD's and Oceans motions, how do those work for everyone? Are there other alternatives?

Comments and/or suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks, Tracy

 

[MACJMC]

My personal experience with a SCWD has not been great. Mine worked great for about the first 2 months then started switching on and off every once in a while. Then only one side worked. I took it out soaked it, cleaned it and nothing really worked. I will spend the extra money and try the ocean motion next time. I know im not much help but I wouldn't go with the SCWD.

 

[ramullinax]

How many nozzles are you planning on? I've found that the best random motion is gained by outlets being pointed at each other, no SCWD or OM necessary.

 

[tmorey]

The tank I'm setting up is a 150g and the dimensions are 48"Lx24"Wx31"H. Honestly, I'm not sure on how I'm going to plumb it yet. I wanted to get some opinions first. How many would you suggest?

So you're saying to point them at each other from 48" away and it will cause somewhat of a backflow? That's interesting... I do want to keep it as simple as possible, so less stuff to break. I like that concept.

 

[ramullinax]

Have you read this article?

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/pbh2oret.htm

I would probably put 4 - 6 nozzles on it, pointing at each other from 24" away, not 48" away.

Be sure to size your pump to account for the headloss of the trip from the floor to the top of the tank and for each individual nozzle.

Here's a cheesy plain text diagram. This would be looking top down at the aquarium.
________________________________
| \ | / |
| |
| |
|_____/_________|_________\_______|

 

[ramullinax]

Ok, that did not come out how I planned. The bottom line is correct, the top line got squished to the left for some reason.

 

[lhoo]

I would use an OM-4 off the Dart.

 

[ramullinax]

Here's a cool idea for an external wavebox.

http://media.putfile.com/Reef-tank-wave

 

[cerreta]

I had a CL system drilled through bottom. I did not use the OM 4 but considered it for a future upgrade. One the CL was done, putting in the OM4 later would have been a nightmare.

I like the look of a CL over powerheads in the tank anyday, however, I have been hot for the Tunze wavebox and would love to see a system with one or two boxes and no powerheads or CL.

Have you looked into these? They offer a great value with no cost of holes, pumps, powerheads, controllers, or fear of BIG leaks or CL related problems. The wavebox moves a lot of water and simulates very realistic ocean currents.

http://www.tunze.com/149.html?&L=1&C=US&user_tunzeprod_pi1[predid]=-infoxunter016

 

[Elliott]

I have a CL with 4W OM, drum version 2 run off a Barracuda in a 300g tank. The 4 outlets end with eductors screwed directly into the bulkheads. I have found the best turbulence is achieved with eductors, due to pulling in and mixing of surrounding water. However, the OM does not work well with eductors due to the backpressure these produce, so I have removed the drum from the OM so all four are always open. I am planning to try the version 3 drum which is always pressure "balanced", hopefully that will work. When comparing lockline vs. bifurcating pvc vs. eductors at the end of the 4 outlets coming off the OM, the eductors move much more water. Be sure to use a pump powerful enough to run them.

 

[oct2274]

I have an OceansMotions SuperSquirt 4 way. if you want to check how I plumbed it to my Dart just pm me and we can arrange a time for you to see it. I have 4 outlets off the SuperSquirt and an additional outlet in the center of the aquarium that runs 100% of the time because the dart has more flow than the SuperSquirt can handle and would be wasted otherwise. I have a gate valve on that outlet so I can adjust how much flows continuously out that outlet.

 

[reefdna]

I have 16 outlets of locline on my CL 4 of which are split into two lines. So eight nozzles run water into each other along all four panes of the tank and 12 coming in front-to-back-to-side-to-side. Here is my build thread. It's about halfway down the page. If you are ever westside you are welcome to come and see it anytime.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1102976&highlight=200+gal+portable

 

[tmorey]

Very good information. Thanks much to all who have responded. Keep the comments coming. It's neat to hear how everyone has their systems plumbed for flow/motion.