More Flow

[RBU1]

I would like to get some more flow in my 75 gallon tank without using powerheads and drilling the glass is not an option. I have my tank set up as a room divider with the smaller side about 4 inches away from the wall. I was thinking of doing some kind of closed loop. Can anyone help me figure out a way to do this? Pictures would be great. Thanks for the help. BILL

 

[mityoak]

Hey Bill how the corals doing?if your using a canopy you could use a closed loop with a manifold on top of the tank, this would hide the plumbing.But with no power heads closed loop is your best bet.Jim

 

[RBU1]

Hey Jim all is doing great. How are you?

 

[mdrc]

ya mityoak is right get a pump like a iwaki 55 and plumb it with 2 eductors pointed lenthwise through the tank on opposite sides

 

[RBU1]

Not sure I follow you. mdrc. What is an eductor? I also have to think how do I plumb it from the stand to the tank? Do I just take the in and the out up to the tank from the stand? I remember someone posting about using a T to fill the pipe or the pump will not work? I would really appreciate if someone can point me to some picture ideas. BILL

 

[mityoak]

sorry Bill I dont have any pics but if you run a search you will find a bunch.The one problem I can see is that you will need a pipe in the tank for the pump to draw the water in from as well as the return plumbing.Jim

 

[pjf]

Here is a website that sells penductors & eductors: http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=48_176.

 

[RBU1]

Thanks

 

[mboley1]

How about a cannister filter. simple to install, and you'll gain added filtration flexibility.

 

[pjf]

Here is another solution to increase your flow without the addition of a closed loop or powerheads. You can use a more powerful return pump and eductors/penductors.

To ensure that your sump can handle the increased flow, you may have to redesign your refugium. Most refugiums with sand beds cannot handle the increased flow. Here is a bare-bottom suspended chaetomorpha refugium that is able to handle the 1000 gph flow generated by an Iwaki MD-30RXT.

Note that the current flows under the first baffle to suspend the chaetomorpha against the PC lamp. A mesh screen (29-gallon tank divider) that is held against the 2nd baffle by the current keeps the chaetomorpha from being swept into the return. The chaetomorpha acts as a mechanical filter and collects detritus that is rinsed away during water changes.

The Remora in the photo could not skim due to the turbulence and has been replaced with a Tunze 9010.