What's the best way to move water?

NoSchwag · 02-10-2006, 11:48 PM

Since my tank is BB, what are the different ways to get detritus to my skimmer?

Right now I am using penductors on a pressure rated pump and they move a ton of water, but I think I want more.

Would it be in my best interest to get another pressure rated pump on a closed loop, or should I go with a tunzes type pump?

Do tunze have the "umph" or velocity to get the stuff off the bottom and keep it off the bottom like a penductor?

Wiskey · 02-11-2006, 12:07 AM

NoSchwag is in!!!

What's up? Glad to see you here. It is like a migration.

Welcome,..
Whiskey

Krux · 02-11-2006, 12:11 AM

I have no experience with penductors, but I am getting some great fluidization of detritus (is that a term?) with my new oceansmotions on a good pump. The 4 random outlets cascade against each other and my return flare nicely, it took 2 or 3 days for my new siphon spots to appear, but it has made a huge difference in my siphon times. Granted my current tank tank is small after taking down my other systems, but the bigger OM models on the bigger sequence type pumps can push a lot of water and can get good force if you run through locline nozzles (which you could run penductors on as well).

I know Weast uses streams in his cold water tanks, and has sand in them which doesn't really move around except in the very corners, and based on that I am biased against them. Also I have tried seios which move a lot of water, and blow garbage into corners, but i never was satisfied with their ability to kick things up into the water column.

hrm, that probably wasn't much help as it turns out...

matt the fiddler · 02-11-2006, 02:04 AM

a rc-er here, though been a member for a while on this board. This is a nice forum to have open up..

I like tunzes [have 2x 6000] but am goign to be putting an oceans motions 4 way on soon. I think the 4 way offers a lot of possibilities for hitting different parts fo the tank wiht flow [bottoms] and the tunze moves water on the corals [flow pattern]

matt

Orion76 · 02-11-2006, 04:28 AM

I had to retrofit my 400 gallon with bottom flow after removing the DSB so a CL was out of the question. I put my aquascape up on a PVC frame just high enough and just far away enough from the tank wall that I could wedge Tunze Streams on magnets in there.

When they need servicing I pull them to the front and then up simply by grabbing the outside magnet. I can also move them around a little as needed simply by moving the outside magnet.

REEF-DADDY · 02-11-2006, 08:05 AM

My vote is for a powerhead or 2 for the following reasons:

1. Electric rates went up 22.4% and a nice tunze will use as little at 17 watts.

2. Its hard to get flow to trouble areas with a closed loop

3. You don't have any variable flow, I think your tank will benefit from it alot.

4. With a Tunze you can use the magnet to mount them and slide them around to clean your rocks. You can then retire your turkey baster of doom.

Loverotties · 02-11-2006, 08:23 AM

I agree with powerheads and/or spray bars!

VWD · 02-11-2006, 09:19 AM

I think if You have a proble in a few areas of the tank PH's are the way to go. I have a CLS and have a few places that it settle in. places I can't reach with a siphon. I did the cls with a botton spraybar and did'nt like the look. I took it out.

SeanT · 02-11-2006, 09:39 AM

Glad to see everyone coming in.
NoSchwag, penductors are powerful but since ther are on your return pump they are a bit limited to where they can get to.
Either a CL or a powerhead dropped behind the rockwork will do wonders.
I have a Tunze down low like Orion. On a magnet which lets me easily reposition it to change up the "spry bar" effect.

Sean

clockwork · 02-12-2006, 02:05 AM

I have 3x 6100 streams and a 3000gph closed loop I have no problems keeping stuff from settling . It either ends up in the skimmer or sump

motorslave · 02-12-2006, 03:19 AM

I do it with a well designed return and a CLS pushed with a big pump. The tank has a center overflow and the return splits into two 1/2 inch bulkheads against the back on each side of the return tower. The returns blow straight down and play a large part in keeping stuff suspended.
The CLS is pushed by a Sequence Barracuda and has 4 3/4 inch returns and a spray bar. The spray bar also provides a ledge for LR to rest in the back, keeping the bottom open for flow. The spray bar is drilled to work with the affect of the two returns. It puts water where it is needed to add to the return flow affect. Nothing collects behind or under my rock anywhere. Only the heavierr stuff collects in front in two piles. If stuff were to collect under there, the spray bar and 4 lockline returns are on one manifold that aloows me to direct the full amount of flow to just 5the spray bar so you can get that extra push unbder the LR. Ive never had to use it though. heres a few pics.

Robert

dkh0331 · 02-12-2006, 05:02 AM

NoSchwag,
I'm in the final stages of putting my tank back together (removed DSB & cooked rock and to make the wife happy, finish the living room remodeling). My flow will include 3 penducator's on my my PanWorld 200 and 2 - 6100 Streams. The penducators are at the bottom of the back wall - one each pointing left, right and center. The Streams will be in each corner, pointing to the center of the tank.

My pea sized mind thinks that the the three penducator outlets will keep the detritus off the bottom and in the water column. With head pressure and before penducators, my return flow is 1200 or so. Add the two 6100's that total 6350 gph and that should carry the detritus down into my sump.

HTH

David