Flow thoughts?

[Coralfreak]

Looking for thoughts/opinions on a revised flow pattern for my tank. I am redoing my closed loop as all the valves on it have froze up.

I am running a Sequence Hammerhead(~5800gph) and an OM 4-way. Here is the basic original setup:

Ports 1 & 3 were both 1 1/2" lines all the way from the OM to the tank, they of course move the most water. The other two were split in 3 1" lines each.

Today I started going through the process of plugging up the bulkheads from inside the tank in order to clean out the OM, it has been jamming quite a bit. Aside from having to move a bunch of rock and busting up some corals, I also decided to leave some of the bulkheads closed and plugged them up on the outside. Using a different drum, I plugged two ports on the OM and only left 1&3 running, the two large ones. Now I basically have a big push from one side and then the other. I am almost wondering, do I leave it this way? Its definitely moving a ton of water. I just wonder if I really need all the extra water movement front to back as I already have quite a lot from the returns.

Not of course looking for a definite answer, just anyones thoughts.

Allen

 

[glaspie69]

I am kind of a fan of the back and forth motion, never been a huge fan of the closed loops though. They always seem to limit the options ....but thats just my opinion. I did see a pretty cool mod the other day on in the large tank forum for a wavy sea. The guy took a wavy sea and attached a bracket to it and hung his tunze from it, looked like it worked awesome. Maybe you could leave the two large bulkheads running and see how the corals respond. I bought a red sea wavemaster a few weeks ago and I wish I would have spent the money years ago, that thing has really made the corals respond nicely.

 

[Coralfreak]

I actually think with the OM 4-way and 7 holes drilled in my tank, I have to many options:rollface: It almost drives me nuts trying to figure out the best way to do this. So you're thinking back and forth, which is what I am also looking at, its a much simpler plumbing job than what I had. I originally had different plans for all the holes, but have moved away from that with the OM, guess I figured if they are there I should use them, but that isnt always the best way to look at it.

Here is what I am thinking, pardon the crude drawing:

The purple and red would both run at the same time, aimed just slightly to the back(I am using 45degree elbows cut in half, so ~22.5degrees) and then switch to the other side, black and blue, with these aimed towards the front. This is actually very similar to what I had except a stronger push side to side and should create sort of a "circular" effect in the tank. The two holes X'd out in yellow would, at least for now, be plugged. It actually makes the tank look "cleaner" as their is less pipe showing.

 

[glaspie69]

i'd aim them both towards the back center area.....if you get your tank rolling in a circle then your corals are all going to show it. but with them both facing the back center it might brake it up abit.

 

[Bullet]

Have you ever called OM and talked to that guy? I guess he is great and knows a lot. I know Eric called him and told him what to do and it really made sense.

Just wish I had some holes in my tank

 

[Coralfreak]

Yeah, I have talked to Paul quite a bit. His best suggestion was to convert the 4 way I have into a 2 way(which I have basically already done) and put a "T" off the pump before the main ball valve and 4-way. The 2-way would now simply move a large volume back and forth. Off of the "T" would be a OM Super Squirt which would then go to the 4 1" bulkheads(the other one that is left is for circulation behind the rocks and would just run all the time).

I'd end with something like this:

The black and purple would be from the converted 2-way coming in through 1 1/2" lines. The other four would then rotate around with the SS creating some variation in the pattern.

I do REALLY like this idea, and will most likely eventually go with it, but its a bit out the budget right now. I am replacing the ball valves and don't want to skimp on them again, so I using the true union ball valves from Savko(+GF+), which equals $$ when you need 2" and 1 1/2" valves. I am trying to come up with something to use in the meantime with what I have.

As Jason mentioned, having a constant circular pattern could result in some odd growth, so here is another thought.

Basically a criss cross, rotate one way and then the other.

Then their is just the basic back and forth:

 

[Atticus]

Which ever you choose, you want it to be random. If there is any pattern established you will end up with funky growth like Jason said. The best is to hit the corals from one driection, then hit them just as hard from the opposite. That way they do not find a pattern to grow into.

 

[glaspie69]

I like the criss cross pattern in the first red and black picture. Looks like it would keep it pretty random. Thats pretty much the way my 24 is setup ....but with 2 pumps, they criss cross each other and then blow at the same time.

 

[Coralfreak]

Criss cross it is, I can also put the OM on a timer and stop it every so often for just a minute, that should throw the pattern off some as well. Hopefully in a few months I can get the second OM and really mix it up

 

[glaspie69]

I've been looking at them.......I'm starting to plan things out for my next large tank....figured I would start a few years in advance. I'm kind of caught between an OM and waveboxes. I like the effect of waveboxes and the diversity of flow with the OM, so it's still in the air. I'm thinking I might go with 2 tunze waveboxes and a few tunze 6200's but we will see. Hope everything works out with your new flow.......Jason

 

[Coralfreak]

Oh, it will work out fine, gives me something to mess with I have also considered adding a Stream, just to help make it all more random. I also know, from talking to Paul at OM, that he has a few new devices on the horizon. In a couple years I would imagaine their will be many more choices/options.

 

[glaspie69]

Yeah thats what I keep thinking......but I figure if I can get the basics down for what I'm going to need I'll be prepared for that at least. It's going to be a pretty large scale project for me. I haven't decided on a final size yet, I'm thinking either 96Lx30Tx36D OR 96Lx24Tx36D. Which height do you prefer?

 

[Coralfreak]

Well, 30" deep looks nice but man its hard to reach down into a tank that deep. Mine is 24" and I dont think I'd ever go much deeper, if anything I would have gone wider front to back, 36" sounds good, mine is 30" but that extra 6" would be nice, gives you a lot more aquascaping options.