How High Up Can You Place a Gyre?

Itchy Trigger · 05/19/2016, 09:31 AM

I recently added some Reeflakes sand to my 330g tank (got sick of the bare bottom look), and I'm glad I did - looks so much better. But of my three powerheads (2 Jebao RW-20s and a Sicce Voyager), two of them were pointing downward and of course now they have pushed the sand right out of the way, leaving piles of sand and then cleared away spots down to the acrylic bottom of the tank.

I've tried redirecting flow in various ways, but these powerful pumps pretty much bulldoze sand... So I think I need to replace at least one of them with something that disperses water in a wider flow pattern. I had Vortechs on my 90g reef and loved them - they sent flow everywhere and didn't disturb the sand at all. Unfortunately because of the way this tank is set up, I don't have room for the large exterior magnets on the Vortechs so can't use them. So I was thinking about the large Maxspect Gyre. The magnet on the Gyres can only accommodate 3/4" glass/acrylic. My tank has 1" walls, so I'd need to place it on my overflow box, near the top. I believe I've seen diagrams of these placed close to the surface, but I'm not sure how close is too close. If I put it 3" below the teeth on the overflow box would that be far enough below the surface?

jason2459 · 05/19/2016, 09:38 AM

You can easily place a gyre 3" below the surface with no issues. I have one right now about 2" below. I would do 1" below but when my return pump turns off it gets less then that and starts shooting water up and creates some splashing.

Itchy Trigger · 05/19/2016, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason2459

You can easily place a gyre 3" below the surface with no issues. I have one right now about 2" below. I would do 1" below but when my return pump turns off it gets less then that and starts shooting water up and creates some splashing.

That's great news - thanks, Jason!

GimpyFin · 05/19/2016, 12:13 PM

I also have one running roughly 2" below the surface. Works great.

Itchy Trigger · 05/19/2016, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GimpyFin

I also have one running roughly 2" below the surface. Works great.

Cool. Ordered one today!

Darth_Tater · 05/19/2016, 02:54 PM

Looks like I found this too late, but thought I'd give some more feedback. If you have them turned up high they'll create a whirlpool and start sucking air if they're less than an inch or two below the water line. Mine is the smaller one, but I think it would be fine at 3" and full power. Like Jason said, you may have to turn it off when you turn the return pump off (I do). Not a big deal though, just a push of the controller button.

Itchy Trigger · 05/19/2016, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darth_Tater

Looks like I found this too late, but thought I'd give some more feedback. If you have them turned up high they'll create a whirlpool and start sucking air if they're less than an inch or two below the water line. Mine is the smaller one, but I think it would be fine at 3" and full power. Like Jason said, you may have to turn it off when you turn the return pump off (I do). Not a big deal though, just a push of the controller button.

Thanks. I can lower it a little if need be, but planning to start with it around 3" below the surface.

jason2459 · 05/20/2016, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Itchy Trigger

Thanks. I can lower it a little if need be, but planning to start with it around 3" below the surface.

Should work out. Just keep adjusting both cages until you get the flow right. I actually adjusted mine higher then I thought I would need too.

ADVRESOURCE · 05/23/2016, 08:43 PM

I have two 150's. Set at 80%. They suck air high up. You'll have to test. The pump is powerful and will convert to micro bubbles. Mine are 4 to 5 in below surface.

05/19/2016, 09:31 AM	#1
Itchy Trigger Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: NYC Posts: 1,355	How High Up Can You Place a Gyre? I recently added some Reeflakes sand to my 330g tank (got sick of the bare bottom look), and I'm glad I did - looks so much better. But of my three powerheads (2 Jebao RW-20s and a Sicce Voyager), two of them were pointing downward and of course now they have pushed the sand right out of the way, leaving piles of sand and then cleared away spots down to the acrylic bottom of the tank. I've tried redirecting flow in various ways, but these powerful pumps pretty much bulldoze sand... So I think I need to replace at least one of them with something that disperses water in a wider flow pattern. I had Vortechs on my 90g reef and loved them - they sent flow everywhere and didn't disturb the sand at all. Unfortunately because of the way this tank is set up, I don't have room for the large exterior magnets on the Vortechs so can't use them. So I was thinking about the large Maxspect Gyre. The magnet on the Gyres can only accommodate 3/4" glass/acrylic. My tank has 1" walls, so I'd need to place it on my overflow box, near the top. I believe I've seen diagrams of these placed close to the surface, but I'm not sure how close is too close. If I put it 3" below the teeth on the overflow box would that be far enough below the surface? __________________ 330g FOWLR: Angels, Tangs and more.

05/19/2016, 09:38 AM	#2
jason2459 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,671	You can easily place a gyre 3" below the surface with no issues. I have one right now about 2" below. I would do 1" below but when my return pump turns off it gets less then that and starts shooting water up and creates some splashing. __________________ rebuild and recovery log: No more red house, you'll have to click on my name and visit my homepage! You can check out my parameters at reeftronics dot net website and look for my username. Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef w/ a beananimal overflow to a dolomite RRUGF. \| 20g long G. Smithii Mantis Tank

05/19/2016, 12:13 PM	#4
GimpyFin Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,032	I also have one running roughly 2" below the surface. Works great. __________________ Brian Current Tank Info: 110 gallon

05/19/2016, 02:54 PM	#6
Darth_Tater Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Northern Utah Posts: 535	Looks like I found this too late, but thought I'd give some more feedback. If you have them turned up high they'll create a whirlpool and start sucking air if they're less than an inch or two below the water line. Mine is the smaller one, but I think it would be fine at 3" and full power. Like Jason said, you may have to turn it off when you turn the return pump off (I do). Not a big deal though, just a push of the controller button.

05/23/2016, 08:43 PM	#9
ADVRESOURCE Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: TUCSON Posts: 569	I have two 150's. Set at 80%. They suck air high up. You'll have to test. The pump is powerful and will convert to micro bubbles. Mine are 4 to 5 in below surface.