Questions about flow - Page 3

kwirky · #21 04-10-2008, 04:30 PM

I agree with you: normal powerheads take up a lot of tank realestate. But I like my new vortech. I wanted a clean look in my tiny 45g tank and a single vortech did the job. If you ran one on each side it would look cleaner than the pipes sticking out from a closed loop and then you could have wavy looking action that'll make the polyps of your LPS and softies look cool.

It's hard to directly flow from a closed loop unless you start using locline and then you're starting to get clutter in the tank again. Vortechs pretty much don't need to be pointed.

mark · #22 04-10-2008, 04:44 PM

Locline isn't needed and it also restricts flow. Easy to direct the flow from CL bulkheads using street fittings (45-90) or even make up your own with TA and elbows.

#23 04-10-2008, 04:48 PM

Those vortecs look perfect for my system. Do you think two of them with the two little giants would be enough for my 230 gal tank? Or could I get away with one of them?

Okguy · #24 04-10-2008, 05:26 PM

A SCWD is a water Switch Current Water Director

http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/s...uct_ID=wm-scwd

You could hook a couple up to each Little Giant and create some nice random movement. Just make sure you make it easy to take them off and clean them when they get jammed with debris.

I try to go for 30-50 times of flow in a tank so for a 230 gallon I would aim for 6900-11500 GPH of turn over. 2 Little Giants and 2 Vortecs would be 7500 GPH. Probably enough for LPS and softies. You can always add 2 more when you are ready to try some higher flow corals

.

You could also think about adding a maxi-jet mod if there are dead spots at the back of the tank after everything is set up.

http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/s...ID=wp-mpsf1600

You can hide them pretty easily and they are darn cheap.

HTH

digital-audiophile · #25 04-10-2008, 05:36 PM

The nice thing about powerheads is you can adjust the direction of flow as your tank grows. I have lockline out of my return and hate it.. to much clutter for the little flow that comes out of it. I'm going to get it out on the weekend and maybe use a couple street 90's painted black.

Darth Wader · #26 04-10-2008, 08:28 PM

I agree. Locline makes your tank look way messier then a powerhead. And if you just use 45's and 90's you are very restricted in flow direction. You could add eductors to spread it out, but I mean 2 or 3 eductors start to clutter up a tank as much as a ph. Plus like I mentioned its laminar flow as compared to turbular flow from powerheads. And I know I wouldn't want to run 3 large external pumps on a softy/lps tank?