Surface Tension Skimming vs. Recirculation

[tonyespinoza]

I've asked this before, but didn't get a lot of opinions... Interested to see if this alternative way of posing the question might elicit more insights.

My system will have:

363g display (70 x 60 x 20)
275g fuge (62 x 57 x 18)
BK 300 External (fed by gravity at 300 GPH)
Secondary Beckett-injected skimmer off the sump
Red Dragon Closed Loop (SPS-level circulation)

The display is in my living room and I'm trying to keep it as clean and simple as possible aesthetically. The tank is up against the wall, so the overflow will be internal. I'm considering having the overflow be fairly small (say 12" wide).

So what price might I be paying for going with a smaller overflow? Is there any evidence to support the need for large calfo-style overflows on systems with heavy turnover and skimming? I'd also like my CL feed to be up high closer to the surface, away from the sand, so not only will it be disrupting the surface tension with flow, it will also be recirculating the water at about 20x - 25x.

Any thoughts?

 

[ctenophors rule]

yes, though it may be different from what you want, and probably a newb question.

your sentence;I'd also like my CL feed to be up high closer to the surface, away from the sand, so not only will it be disrupting the surface tension with flow, it will also be recirculating the water at about 20x - 25x.

why would having the CL feed(which is???) closer to the surface increase your turn over rate? shouldn't the increaced distance between the pump and water outake make the pump work harder and push less out?

thanks, sorry if this is a newb Q, tommy

 

[es1887]

12 inches wide should not be a problem as long as you have enough flow as it sounds like you do. i do not think the feed being up high will do it any better than having the output brake the surface. same, same, right? this way you will not have any possibility of gurgling. also better tension braking as there will not be a little spilling over, but a lot flowing out and away. you will probably have more effective skimming and heating with a lower fuge turn over.

 

[es1887]

just realized that the cl would be up top for both since it is a cl and does not really matter where it is that it takes and gives. duh! i figure you could have roughly 1600 gph through the fuge which should be plenty

 

[tonyespinoza]

Sorry guys, I stated the question a bit strangely. I was not implying that the location of the CL drain would have an impact on surface tension.

 

[ctenophors rule]

does cl stand for closed loop?

 

[es1887]

ha i was a bit curious

 

[wld1783]

My 330 SPS has a 500GPH pump in from one standard overflow to out from the opposite overflow. My guess is a 10% turnover per hour. SPS do grow like crazy with a good support skimmer and 300 gal of sump and refug.

Bill

 

[tonyespinoza]

cool - would love to see an FTS if you have one laying around!

 

[seattleguy]

In my experience Water movement is one of the most if not the most important factor in growing corals. Probably more important if you are going to grow SPS as opposed to softies and LPS corals. As long as you have a decent rate of exchange with the sump you will be fine. I'm not familiar with the Red Dragon CL that you have but you called it SPS level circulation. I will assume that it creates good movement. I'm a believer in alternating currents created by wave timers, wave boxes or automatic ball valves. SPS corals thrive especially well when the current changes and hits them from the other side. Laminar Flow is good at all. Set up a Gyre if you can, you will get better overall movement for your dollar spent.

 

[wld1783]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15160230#post15160230 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tonyespinoza
cool - would love to see an FTS if you have one laying around!

Don't know what a FTS is but here is a year old pic. The corals have doubled in size since then.

I really think when it comes to flow you want to "blow their skirts up and not off"' Does it really matter how? Both ways work.

Bill