Waterflow Question

rchull69 · 10-24-2005, 11:31 PM

How much flow (in gph) would you recommend as good flow from one side of a 72" to the other? I'm trying to figure out a good size powerhead that will push that much water. I would like to install 2 powerheads in an X formation, one in the top rear right pointing to the bottom front left, and the other vice-versa. I have a 180 gallon tank and have spots of brown algae on my sandbed from where there is no circulation, and yes I use RO/DI water and there are 0ppm phosphates. Also, what size powerhead would be recommended for behind the rock as well? Thanks in advance.

Loverotties · 10-24-2005, 11:34 PM

Tunze units!

phiberop840 · 10-24-2005, 11:34 PM

I wouldnt mind know what is recommended also. I have a mag 7 return from a sump and a penguin 1140 PH on the other side of the tank. I wonder how much water movement is necessary.

mike

rchull69 · 10-24-2005, 11:40 PM

Right now I have a Mag 18 returning the water back to the tank through a SCWD and then through two spray bars that are an inch under the waterline. I also have two Rio 600's on the back of the tank facing forward to the glass with rotating nozzles. I have a great wave motion going, but it's dead on the bottom of the tank.

rchull69 · 10-24-2005, 11:45 PM

I was going to shell out the money for the Tunze wavemaker set-up, but couldn't see spending $800.00 for 2 PH's and a controller. I have a better idea (I think) and when it's done, I'll post with pics and hopefully awe some of you. I don't mind spending the money, but they are unsightly and a pain to have to pull from behind live rock and clean from time to time. I just need to know what the proper amount of GPH would move the water enough from one side of the other to stir things up.

Geoff · 10-25-2005, 04:19 AM

get rid of the SCWD. that will nearly double your flow right there. they greatly restrict water flow on pumps higher than 700gph. the amount of flow has a lot to do with what you want to keep. i had over 2500gph in a 125g tank. when i get back to the states i am thinking of putting over 4000gph in that tank!

BTW-just because you are reading 0 on phosphates does not mean you do not have phosphates. phosphates are absorbed quickly by the substrate and the LR, so it appears you do not have any when in reality your tank is full of them. what kind of skimmer do you have?

G~

Charles · 10-25-2005, 06:19 AM

Hi, what is SCWD???

skeety · 10-25-2005, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charles

Hi, what is SCWD???

it's an abreviation in the wrong order (IMO).

stands for Switching Current Water Device....although, shouldn't it be Water Current Switching Device? Just my thoughts! hahah

it is a device that alternates your flow from one side to the other. It's neat, but cuts your flow by at least 1/3rd!

Superman · 10-25-2005, 11:10 AM

A good option for upping a tank's flow is to use penductors/eductors. The flow has to be about 1000gph going through the given nozzle that you want to place the penductor/eductor on though. Once I put one on my return nozzle on my 92 gallon, I am a BELIEVER!

skeety · 10-25-2005, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superman

A good option for upping a tank's flow is to use penductors/eductors. The flow has to be about 1000gph going through the given nozzle that you want to place the penductor/eductor on though. Once I put one on my return nozzle on my 92 gallon, I am a BELIEVER!

can you explain a little more about those? what are they? what do they do?
(NOW who's sounding like a newbie! hahaha)

I've heard about them...but don't know anything about them.

Doug1 · 10-25-2005, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skeety

can you explain a little more about those? what are they? what do they do?
(NOW who's sounding like a newbie! hahaha)

I've heard about them...but don't know anything about them.

Search Eductors Galleon has posted lots on them

Superman · 10-25-2005, 11:38 AM

No problem Skeety, as of about two months ago I had no idea what they were either. Basically they are a nozzle that focuses the water through a "tube" (horrible description) But basically by doing this the water being focused through this "tube" of sorts, actually pulls water in before going through the tube, and in the end you get about 2-5x the water flow out the end of the tube. Here is a link to what one looks like. http://www.toofishy.com/product.php?...age=1&featured

So basically you put about 1000gph to the nozzle, and you get out somewhere in the neighborhood of 2000-5000gph

Geoff · 10-25-2005, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superman

No problem Skeety, as of about two months ago I had no idea what they were either. Basically they are a nozzle that focuses the water through a "tube" (horrible description) But basically by doing this the water being focused through this "tube" of sorts, actually pulls water in before going through the tube, and in the end you get about 2-5x the water flow out the end of the tube. Here is a link to what one looks like. http://www.toofishy.com/product.php?...age=1&featured

So basically you put about 1000gph to the nozzle, and you get out somewhere in the neighborhood of 2000-5000gph

you are close, but not exacly. it does not multiply the amount of flow of the pump by 5x. it multiplies the amount of flow the pump is doing at 23' of head pressure! so if your pump can not pump 23' of head pressure, the amount of flow that the eductor is really doing could be a lot less than what the pump could be doing anyway.

here is a link to my DIY ones and a brief description of how they work.

they require pressure rated pumps to really work properly.

G~

Superman · 10-25-2005, 01:20 PM

Quote:

So basically you put about 1000gph to the nozzle, and you get out somewhere in the neighborhood of 2000-5000gph

Geoff, that is what the above statment meant. Sorry if I was not clear enough. If you have 1000gph at the nozzle it will end up moving 2000-5000gph of water.

motorslave · 10-25-2005, 01:29 PM

Andy has penductors on his site also. (My Reef Creations)

R