Large volume laminar flow machine
- Thread starter karimwassef
- Start date
karimwassef
Active member
Here's the motion in my current tank. Some sand got kicked up by the surge, but the corals don't mind.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E5BsQBH_Fno" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
I think you can see the speed of the flow change, especially towards the end.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E5BsQBH_Fno" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
I think you can see the speed of the flow change, especially towards the end.
geekengineer
Member
looks like its driving down the freeway with the top down to me. :rollface:
karimwassef
Active member
15 heads of purple hair with the roof down? could be.
karimwassef
Active member
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hQNaqlz05fo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
The tricky part is keeping the flow gentle for the LPS, hard for the SPS, and swaying for the Softies...
The tricky part is keeping the flow gentle for the LPS, hard for the SPS, and swaying for the Softies...
geekengineer
Member
Pretty cool looking I didn't notice you posted a new video there. That looks pretty sweet I doubt I ever live up to a tank like that. 
karimwassef
Active member
I guess I'm establishing the baseline before I move to the laminar flow machine.
geekengineer
Member
Did you get a 3D printer yet? 
karimwassef
Active member
Not yet.
geekengineer
Member
after you move?
karimwassef
Active member
negotiating... I'm also thinking of going simpler so I can get it on my current tank, but that's still incubating.
geekengineer
Member
You think I could dare make something like this a micro version for a 29Gal tank? lol. Course at the rate things are going that might be a few years from now. hehe
Anyways I presume do they have power heads that go back and forth? That is what your machine does right sort of like real waves?
Anyways I presume do they have power heads that go back and forth? That is what your machine does right sort of like real waves?
karimwassef
Active member
For a small tank, you can create a circulating flow (alternating or not) with a partition and a few powerheads. That's because the powerheads have a large enough aperture compared to the tank dimensions that a couple of pumps passing through eggcrate can create a relatively uniform flow.
So a large propellor powerhead may have a 4" aperture that creates a near field flow that's reasonably uniform to about 8". If your tank is 24" deep and 24" wide, you could use 2 powerheads and force the flow through an 8" x 16" channel to the main area of the tank, with a similar channel for the return. The channeled area can be separated with acrylic and eggcrate.
A few pages back, there's a really nice example of that. Rounded corners to make the flow curve and everything...
I won't dig in here, but a circulating current flow isn't the same as a wave.
If you put opposing direction powerheads in the return channel and then turn one side up and the other down, in time, you can create a circulating and alternating, semi-uniform, semi-laminar flow
So a large propellor powerhead may have a 4" aperture that creates a near field flow that's reasonably uniform to about 8". If your tank is 24" deep and 24" wide, you could use 2 powerheads and force the flow through an 8" x 16" channel to the main area of the tank, with a similar channel for the return. The channeled area can be separated with acrylic and eggcrate.
A few pages back, there's a really nice example of that. Rounded corners to make the flow curve and everything...
I won't dig in here, but a circulating current flow isn't the same as a wave.
If you put opposing direction powerheads in the return channel and then turn one side up and the other down, in time, you can create a circulating and alternating, semi-uniform, semi-laminar flow
geekengineer
Member
Hmm so I think I get it but for a 29 gallon I have its like 12"x18"x30" so I not sure if it be really worth it or not. I assume you lose a lot of tank space trying to do something like this. Just an interesting thought to see if it was feasable I guess. Has anyone ever tried to do laminar flow in a nano tank? lol Also if I 3D printed baffles sort of like you were doing for bigger tanks would that make it so you wouldn't have to use quite so big power heads?
karimwassef
Active member
Yes. The baffles make it so any external pump can create uniform flow with less space. You just need to create an external loop with two pumps.
There's another great example of that (without the baffles) a few weeks ages ago.
There's another great example of that (without the baffles) a few weeks ages ago.
geekengineer
Member
So "hypothetically" with minimal knowledge something like this would be more practical for my particular tank. I assume wouldn't work unless PC fans work in saltwater..
geekengineer
Member
actually could the external loop just be with external pipes instead of a baffle inside?
karimwassef
Active member
Yes. There were arguments for both.
At low flow rates, pipes are so much easier...
At high flow rates, channel or very very short and wide pipes are needed.
At low flow rates, pipes are so much easier...
At high flow rates, channel or very very short and wide pipes are needed.
geekengineer
Member
just happened to see this and thought you might be interested they were talking about a huge 3D printer and well other things that not be mentioned lol. Might be other interesting stuff on this channel guy sort of looks like he going to bust out laughing all the time tho.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdR6nP4m0QY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdR6nP4m0QY
karimwassef
Active member
Ok... Interesting addition to the thread.
I'm trying to find a simpler method to create uniform flow without 3D printing to avoid the cost.
I'm trying to find a simpler method to create uniform flow without 3D printing to avoid the cost.
