Thoughts on Sea Swirls on opposite sides of tank?

[sean obergfell]

I am a big fan of my Sea Swirl. I have two returns and one is on my Sea Swirl. I am considering closing the second return off and use it as a closed loop and put another Sea Swirl on the opposite side of the other Sea Swirl.

What so you think??

I love summer projects....Ever stare at the system and think, what can I do next to make it that much better????
Well that's me.

Thank you.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

without actually seeing water currents

without actually seeing water currents

it's difficult to make a recommendation.

The best help/recommendation I can give you is to try and acheive a gyre.
Get the water moving en masse in one direction. Switch it up to the opposite direction if possible.

 

[BuffaloReef]

I agree with Gary. Have you ever been in a round pool and had a group move in a circle? You can get the water moving and you'll feel the water continue to move even after you stop. Now, if you have that same group splashing around randomly you'll have water moving, but there will be dead spots and it will take more energy to move the water. A gyre is sort of like the group going in the same direction, working together and using the shape of the pool you're much more efficient in moving the volume.

The gyre will get your water moving efficiently, alternating it will kick detritus up so your filter can take care of it. It's also helps to eliminate dead spots around rocks and corals.

 

[sean obergfell]

Just thinking of another Sea Swirl and put to good use a closed loop or an MP 40??????

 

[sean obergfell]

One is $220 the other is $475

 

[BuffaloReef]

I have never worried about getting "flow" from my return pump. Return pumps that can push that much water are expensive and electric guzzlers. I also feel they raise the risk of flooding. There are obviously good reasons to cycle water through your sump but to push it to the point where your return figures prominently into your flow has more drawbacks than advantages IMO.

With the propeller pumps out there that move significant water with minimum electric usage I wouldn't bother with a closed loop.

So with all that said I would go with the MP40 over the other choices you've mentioned.