Flow Rates, Pulse Durations, Strategies for Creating or Maximizing Laminar Flow

[herring_fish]

(This is just an example that I mocked up from Merriq's beautiful tank)

I have had more trouble with getting my water flow patterns and strengths right than I have had with finding the right foods.

Flow Rates, Pulse Durations, Strategies for Creating or Maximizing Laminar Flow
These are the thinks that I would like to discuses in this thread.

I addition to your written descriptions, I hope that you can choose a picture of your tank or pick one that will help demonstrate what you are trying to explain and pull it into PC Paint or something like it. Then draw some lines and arrows to help describe what you have tried and what success you have had with your strategies and experiments.

Thanks

 

[herring_fish]

I used two 1200 Maxijet retro propeller kits on a timer. They seemed to love it at first but unfortunately about the third day, they suddenly developed a fold which damaged them. It's obvious that I have a lot to learn about water flow and I would love some help.

Chuck Stottlemire has had the some of the best best luck with dendros and he feels that water flow is one of the most important parts of successfully growing these corals. GARF is also growing these things Here are the articles where they talk about how they do it. There is more here than just flow but they are interesting if you haven't seen them.

http://www.garf.org/1armci/dendro.html
http://www.garf.org/36/2/dendro2.html
http://www.garf.org/37/feed/feed.html

One of the thinks that made me think was the mention of creating water flow from the back or underneath to help the dendros to stand up. This was in addition to the normal main water flow. I thought that I could form some plastic to redirect water flow for the main or the secondary water flow instead of having a more precise placement of small power heads.

 

[Kreeger1]

My flow is set to do something like that picture, both pumps are on the back wall aiming towards the front glass. The bounce back goes down and under the soon to be corals is how Im picturing it in my mind. Will keep you updated. This could be a very useful thread!
Erik

 

[herring_fish]

I design for a living so I thought that I could really do something good. I looked around the net and found some designs, from other industries, which helped me design a couple of devices that would create laminar flow. I just don't have the time to develop them right now so I am reduced to doing it with low tech methods and this leaves me feeling stupid because I can't think of something simple that would work and look good. I need to take a lesson from others.

I have found that bouncing water off of the glass or gently off of the surface does seem to make the water much more laminar but I have had a hard time getting that flow to get back to the rock face that my corals are on. GARF has their rock face close to the glass. They have design the tank for the dendros and it looks very nice. Unfortunately, I wouldn't like that look in my particular tank. I like to have a lot of room between the glass and the corals. This means that there is a lot more water volume to fill. Directing water is what I will have to do and there is the rub.

Up top now, I have only been thinking about only going length wise but it sounds like you are talking about go forward across the tank. So you hope the water will roll down the glass, along the sand and back up the rock face? Kind of like this?

 

[Aquabacs]

In my 50 gallon cube (24x24x20), Over flow is in the center back with dual lock line returns (one to the left and one to the right)fed by a Tunze 1073.04

Right side of the over flow, 6 inches down, facing forward, I have a Vortech MP40W set to reef crest mode at full strength. I also have a MP10 but I removed it from the tank.

I have space completely around the rockwork.

The flow is strong enough to push the water in a counter clockwise pattern completely around my rockwork.

Mike

 

[herring_fish]

Thanks for chiming in.

So what is the crest mode? Also why did you take out the MP 10

 

[Aquabacs]

Thanks for chiming in.

So what is the crest mode? Also why did you take out the MP 10

Acording to Ecotech Reef Crest mode automatically simulates the high-energy conditions of a natural reef crest environment.
http://ecotechmarine.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/ecotech_brochure.pdf
That setting seemed to work best for my set up.

The flow of the single MP40 seemed better by itself. When I had the two vortechs going the flow seemed to chaotic, so I removed the MP10. (just look back at what I wrote, actually my MP40 is on the left side of the over flow not the right) Also above my MP40 I have my fishmate autofeeder & feeding ring which I use to feed my dry mix of Fauna Main foods (Ultra Seafan, Clam, and MinF)

Mike

 

[uhuru]

what do you think about the new pulse modes from ecotech?

"In this EcoSmart mode, water is circulated in a two phase program consisting of wave motion to stir up detritus and surging motion to move the detritus into your overflow where it can be skimmed out."

"In this EcoSmart mode water is circulated to create a harmonic balance in your aquarium reminiscent of the changing flow conditions that would be found in nature. Over the course of several hours, the flow pattern will go from very chaotic with an emphasis on left to right flow direction to an emphasis on right to left flow direction, all the while experiencing calm period in between and followed by a great surge of flow at the very end of the cycle. "

I may have to upgrade my driver to try these out!

 

[Western_reefer]

what do you think about the new pulse modes from ecotech?

"In this EcoSmart mode, water is circulated in a two phase program consisting of wave motion to stir up detritus and surging motion to move the detritus into your overflow where it can be skimmed out."

"In this EcoSmart mode water is circulated to create a harmonic balance in your aquarium reminiscent of the changing flow conditions that would be found in nature. Over the course of several hours, the flow pattern will go from very chaotic with an emphasis on left to right flow direction to an emphasis on right to left flow direction, all the while experiencing calm period in between and followed by a great surge of flow at the very end of the cycle. "

I may have to upgrade my driver to try these out!

How much do they cost?

 

[uhuru]

Not sure. Probably around $250 for the mp10? Closer to $400 for the mp40?

 

[Aquabacs]

The new programing for the driver looks more adjustable and user friendly.As for picking one up, I honestly don't see a actual benefit for our size aquariums using only one vortech. For larger size aquariums, running multiple pumps, then it would be worth the investment.

Moses, the Eco drivers are posted up on Reef Builders site. Cost is in the 85+ for a replacement driver.

 

[Western_reefer]

Oh, ok.