Slack tides

[BlueMoonFox]

So I was sitting on my sailboat the other day and was thinking about when the tide would change (as those stuck on sandbars often do.) In nature, reefs are subjected to shifting currents due to tidal shifts. Why not have the same in tank? Currently all of my power heads constantly run, but I'm thinking of putting them on a timer and having all but the smallest shut off for an hour twice a day. Maybe it's overthinking it and will make no difference. Just wondering about other people's thoughts or experiences.

 

[billdogg]

I have two on 24/7, and two on a timer that alternate. IME diving, even at slack tide there are currents running.

 

[BlueMoonFox]

I agree that there is always a current. I figure that the single power head would simulate that. I was just wondering if there would be any advantage to the slack tide.

 

[j_mazzy]

yes. some animals need slow water to have a chance to grab as much nutrients as they can. then the fast water cleanses them.

 

[BlueMoonFox]

Shiny. I think I'll give it a try.

 

[BlueMoonFox]

Slack tide have been going for a week now. I've definitely seen some happiness from some of the corals during the down time. Lots of feelers and extensions. Still working on it. I also utilise nano bubbles which has (theoretically) made drastic improvements in growth. It's hard to say 'yes, this has made a difference' when you have no control group. Maybe that's a good excuse to the wife. A second tank 'in the name of science!'

 

[j_mazzy]

You can't argue with science

 

[Ron Reefman]

I agree with you completely. I have a big closed loop with a 3000gph pump and 4 outlets that alternate. Only 2 open a a time and even the outlets rotate so they are more random. It runs 24/7 except when I feed. But there is a Gyre and a WP40 at opposite ends of the tank that run 4 hours at one end, both for 2 hours, then 4 hours from the other end and 2 hours with none. The more variation and randomness I get into the design of the flow in my tank, the better everybody seems to do.

 

[jason2459]

If you have an Apex controller it's really easy to alternate the direction of flow in your tank in coordination with the lunar cycle which shifts the time tides change every day. I've also programmed in ramping up and down and back up with those changes.

Just posted this recently in another thread includes a link to my programming

If you're trying to time it naturally with tides (moon's influence and earths friction) which adjusts daily and dynamically you may want to look into a controller like the Neptune Apex. I use the Seasonal chart in the Apex to control practically everything on my system. It will adjust the light schedule and intensity each day, lunar light schedule and intensity each day, temp swings each day, and based on the lunar cycle I adjust my flow in the tank 4 times a day like a tide and ramping up and down the intensity of the flow. I do get corals spawning and believe the seasonal chart timings help.

How that can work with the tide pool wave system you're trying to set up I'm not sure but it's something too look into leveraging as it's all there.

Posts#1422, 1425, 1426 has what I've done for the timing with the lunar cycle with the Apex
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1673282&page=57