Wavemakers for increased flow

[coralor]

I've just joined up with this site and am hoping to get some opinions on wavemakers. In particular the Gyre ones. I have a 105 gal that is only 42" long but can be viewed from 3 sides. I am currently using an MP40 on one end plus a hydor koralia and one return nozzle that sit on the opposite side where the overflow is.
My rock work extends from the overflow down the middle of the tank and I have low flow on the sandbed, in particular near the overflow box, even with the MP at maximum speed. And its motor gets too hot when I leave it on that setting for too long.
My tank's dimensions are 42" length x 24" deep and 24" wide.
Any suggestions please as I am considering replacing the MP40 or perhaps supplementing its flow with a Jebao wavemaker, for example.
And is there a better way or place to post this sort of question? I'm not that computer savvy,lol)

 

[Ron Reefman]

You've posted a good question in the right place.

Your MP40 shouldn't be running that hot so I suspect something is wrong with it or it's alignment between the inside and outside segments.

The jebao wavemakers work fine and you should only need a small one given the size tank you have.

I have very little experience with the newer gyre style water movers but I think they move a lot of water (not 100% sure though).

BTW, both my parents were from Canada, eh. Welcome to RC and best of luck with the new tank.

 

[coralor]

Ron, thank you very much for responding!
I will check the alignment on the MP40, but if it were misaligned at all, wouldn't it make a funky noise? I've had that happen before.
BTW, living in Canada is why I got into the saltwater tanks. Its my winter "indoor garden", lol)
PS: What does "nem" stand for?

 

[nuxx]

Never really been sure about running just one or two gyres.

Just liking having the flexibility of powerheads.

Started running 6 Jebaos on the APEX with 12 or so programs, so far I'm really liking it.

 

[Reefnub]

So this is a peninsula tank? Just go with 2 rw15 turned down.
Maybe a xf150 and a rw8 would work too.

I'm guessing all your powerheads are placed by the overflow box.

 

[nuxx]

So this is a peninsula tank? Just go with 2 rw15 turned down.
Maybe a xf150 and a rw8 would work too.

I'm guessing all your powerheads are placed by the overflow box.

Here are 2 RW15s turned about 3/4ths power and synced wav mode on a 150 gallon frag tank.

 

[Reefnub]

Op's tank is taller and have an aquascape to block some of the flow, so 2 turned down rw15 should be fine. The higher height in op's tank will allow an undertow effect.

Wave mode is deceiving on how much flow is actually in the tank, a rw8 placed near the top or shooting the top will create a very similar size wave. I also wouldn't use wave mode because it doesn't really push particles much or provide much flow imo. They look cool to watch though.

I used a wp40, a wp25 and 2mp40 in my old 120g and it was just the right amount of flow.

 

[dbl]

I too have a peninsula tank, only slightly longer (it's a standard 120g at 4'x2'x2'). For obvious reasons, my rockwork is centered down the middle as well. I just installed (when I say just, I mean yesterday afternoon) a Gyre 150 for the same reasons/concerns you posted. I was using a CL and just couldn't get the flow the way I wanted. It's obviously way too early to know for sure, but I think I'm going to really like it. It pushes water across the top, down the far side, and across the bottom, and I only have it running at 30%.

As an example, I have a zoa garden at the outer end of the peninsula, on the sand bed, that I had a feeling wasn't getting enough flow. Within a few hours, some of the zoa's starting opening up more than "normal".

Anyway, just thought I would chime in and given my limited experience, you can take this for what it's worth, which is not very much! Hopefully some other Gyre users will chime in to offer additional advise.

 

[coralor]

Thanks everyone)
Yes, it is a peninsula tank.
I have the koralia on the same end as the overflow (and the return). But I placed the MP40 on the opposite end so it is 42" away. Is that not the right way to have done it? Reefnub you made me wonder by your comment "guessing" that all my powerheads are placed by the overflow box.
And would the suggestion be to add the Jebaos or to replace the MP40 with them (or perhaps a Gyre)?
I heard that a Gyre's disadvantage is that you can't program it to change speeds? I need to research it better I realize.
Dbl I do appreciate your info in particular as our tanks sound similar in size. I really wish I had had my tank made 48" long instead...

 

[Reefnub]

The suggestion was to replace the mp40 for 2 rw15 and place one by each side of the overflow box, blasting them forward to bounce the flow back from the other end and create a undertow. You could also achieve the same effect/flow pattern with a single maxspect xf150. 2 rw15 will give a wider flow pattern than a single xf150 though. You can kind of imagine what the flow pattern will be with these setups.

When you place 2 pumps aiming at each other, flow deflects and won't reach one end. Is that how your current setup is placed? Deflecting is not a bad thing, but for peninsula tanks it's no good imo.

 

[dbl]

To pick up on Reefnub's point, that is exactly what my setup was doing, in essence. Flows were meeting in the middle, if you will. I went the Gyre route but I'm sure two power heads on one end would provide the same results.

 

[coralor]

That makes sense. Never thought of it before.Guess that's why they call people like me "newbies')
I will give one or the other a go. Thanks all again!

 

[coralor]

Just a quick update on what I ended up doing and the results:
As Reefnub, for example, suggested I removed the MP40 and replaced it on with 2 Jebao rw15's on either side of the overflow/return. The amount of detritus that was stirred up was amazing and instead of cruddy covered sand I now have white sand almost overnight. Incredible! Thanks again all! Now I have to work a bit on where to place some of my lower light LPS so that it doesn't get covered in sand....