Need help with flow problem

[JamesHolt]

I am not getting any flow in the large open section (picture attached)..
I have the return blowing across it but it isnt doing anything to help..
I have had the WP-10 by the return and pointing toward the center but no help..
Does anyone have any recommendations on placement/size to fix this ??
The two hydors are keeping the LTA corralled in the corner, but may not be needed as he has been there for a month or so..
Just using this tank to "store" everyone in while I setup my main, but I will be using it to grow out stuff and keep my 4 damsels in..
Tank has been setup a month or so, but rocks are around 6-7 months old..

 

[Tcox]

You might try placing one PH and each corner of the back glass and point them towards the center of the front glass so that the streams intersect. Of course it largely depends on your structure but it worked well for me and if your blog is still accurate, I think it's worth a try. Gave me a good turbulent flow.

 

[JamesHolt]

My blog is accurate, this isnt the 40g breeder, it was shut down... Thats why I included the drawing above..
I cant put the powerheads in the corners and aim toward the center, the rockwork is in the way...
Guess I will see which hydor powerhead arrived today and go from there....
I may try moving the WP10 and mounting it on the overflow,, cranking it wide open..
Flow and lights,,,most troublesome to me,,,lights are not so bad since I got a PAR meter but the deal with the flow is kicking my butt..

 

[Tcox]

Flow took me a good while too. On the right quarter of your tank is there room for a PH? It looks like there is room to bounce one off of the glass. It might help if you can do that and then reverse your flow from clockwise to a counter clockwise. It is difficult for me to see what clearance you do and don't have. I very easily could be wrong but the only way to get it down is to keep trying something different.

Here is what I built which was a flow nightmare at first:

 

[JamesHolt]

Flow took me a good while too. On the right quarter of your tank is there room for a PH? It looks like there is room to bounce one off of the glass. It might help if you can do that and then reverse your flow from clockwise to a counter clockwise. It is difficult for me to see what clearance you do and don't have. I very easily could be wrong but the only way to get it down is to keep trying something different.

Here is what I built which was a flow nightmare at first:

Cant put any in the back right corner, that is where the LTA is perched(the big green dot).
Gonna try with the wp10 or maybe a bigger return pump, and bring it over the tank in the back and down through the rockwork bouncing off front glass...
I want to get enough flow to stir everything up but dont want to blow my mushrooms around the tank.. dont really know how to explain what I want to do, maybe like an undertow...
When I get home I will put up some pics of the tank, I guess I confused everyone with the drawing...

What size tank is that, I like the layout...

 

[daveM100]

A gyre 130 would give you plenty of flow.

 

[JamesHolt]

A gyre 130 would give you plenty of flow.

Thought about that but I dont have anywhere to put it,, I will post pics of the tank in the morning

 

[Shawn O]

Wouldn't lowering the height of the rocks by a couple of inches (in a few spots) allow the powerheads to point to the center area better?

 

[daveM100]

Wouldn't lowering the height of the rocks by a couple of inches (in a few spots) allow the powerheads to point to the center area better?

was wondering about that also. Just shift some rock a bit, I think your making this harder then it needs to be

 

[Boom]

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2007/1/aafeature check out this article. It really helped me out a lot.

 

[JamesHolt]

I wound up moving the rocks in the back center, and blocking the LTA in the back right corner...
I have the rock low enough for him to get circulation over the top and through several holes, but he doesnt have enough room to get out...
I have one PH in each corner on the left side , both are facing right, 800gph alternating every minute..
The rear one runs along the backside of the rocks until it gets to the opening and then bounces out into the center.. sort of a big surge..
The front one hits the far side and makes a big circle along the front of the rocks..
If I didnt have the anemone it would be alot easier,, but I like him, so he stays..
I didnt want to breakup the rocks to lower them, they are rather large and "spikey", they are going in my 180 when I get it that far.. This whole tank is just a temp one until I get the 180 ready...
Thanks for all the suggestions, the article is very informative as well.. I have a few empty tanks that I will be filling with freshwater and playing with the flow to how I can improve my layout.....

 

[daveM100]

You'd be surprised what a nem can get out of, he'll be fine.

 

[JamesHolt]

You'd be surprised what a nem can get out of, he'll be fine.

Fully extended he is about 6" tall with 6" disc (roughly), fully retracted, all balled up he is about a 2" ball..
Never had any trouble with him moving, just dont want to give him a chance to get hurt..
The condy I had would move daily, until he found the powerhead with no grill...

The LTA is my favorite critter so far...