Tank Circulation

Icewing726 · 08/06/2018, 01:58 PM

So I was happy with my tanks circulation (low flow) for the last several months. Other then my diatom bloom and the random pebbles/empty shells my fish leave everywhere, my sand has been very clean so I hadn't worried about increasing flow. (About 2000-2500 GPH depending on my return pump setting for a 150 gallon tank)

I know a lot of people say it needs to be much higher, but my focus was fish and I didn't want to create a turbulent wave pool for them to live in. Despite what people say I distinctly remember diving in Guam and seeing tons of fish in low to no current areas... actually saw less in high current drift dives now that I think about it.

Anyway, now I'm getting red cyano bacteria on the sand, mainly in one area that I believe to be more or less a dead zone (sand particles remain fairly suspended in that area of the tank which is my only real clue). I'm thinking of upping the flow and was wondering what everyone thought about pump options.

1) Are the dual head pumps worth looking at? I was thinking of getting them since I have a custom made lid that only has cord slots for two circ pumps.

2) Any comments on Current USA?

3) Should I do a high flow and aim it away from the sand and oppose it with a lower power (1500 gph vs a 750 5ft away)?

Any suggestions would be appreciated, but I'd really like to hear about the dual head ones if you have any experience with them. Thanks.

Drewbe147 · 08/07/2018, 07:09 AM

I gotta say I love my new xf200 series gyres. I got a pair of them and the controller. Gives me great flow and you can change your intensity and flow patterns to fit your needs. Has many presets you can play with or just create your own custom flow with 24 possible set points. Mine I have my flow spike about a hour after feeding to lift and particles off the sand and suspend to head down the over flow. Have both pointed to the surface and run them on alternating oceanic gyre mode alot. My “night time” cycle the flow calms down some so everything can sleep well. Idk how much flow your looking for as a FOWLR tank but these will definitely give it to you and allow you to adjust up or down.

08/06/2018, 01:58 PM	#1
Icewing726 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Posts: 248	Tank Circulation So I was happy with my tanks circulation (low flow) for the last several months. Other then my diatom bloom and the random pebbles/empty shells my fish leave everywhere, my sand has been very clean so I hadn't worried about increasing flow. (About 2000-2500 GPH depending on my return pump setting for a 150 gallon tank) I know a lot of people say it needs to be much higher, but my focus was fish and I didn't want to create a turbulent wave pool for them to live in. Despite what people say I distinctly remember diving in Guam and seeing tons of fish in low to no current areas... actually saw less in high current drift dives now that I think about it. Anyway, now I'm getting red cyano bacteria on the sand, mainly in one area that I believe to be more or less a dead zone (sand particles remain fairly suspended in that area of the tank which is my only real clue). I'm thinking of upping the flow and was wondering what everyone thought about pump options. 1) Are the dual head pumps worth looking at? I was thinking of getting them since I have a custom made lid that only has cord slots for two circ pumps. 2) Any comments on Current USA? 3) Should I do a high flow and aim it away from the sand and oppose it with a lower power (1500 gph vs a 750 5ft away)? Any suggestions would be appreciated, but I'd really like to hear about the dual head ones if you have any experience with them. Thanks.

08/07/2018, 07:09 AM	#2
Drewbe147 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Salisbury, MD Posts: 105	I gotta say I love my new xf200 series gyres. I got a pair of them and the controller. Gives me great flow and you can change your intensity and flow patterns to fit your needs. Has many presets you can play with or just create your own custom flow with 24 possible set points. Mine I have my flow spike about a hour after feeding to lift and particles off the sand and suspend to head down the over flow. Have both pointed to the surface and run them on alternating oceanic gyre mode alot. My “night time” cycle the flow calms down some so everything can sleep well. Idk how much flow your looking for as a FOWLR tank but these will definitely give it to you and allow you to adjust up or down. __________________ Livestock: Yellow Tang, Coral Beauty, Clown pair, Exquisite, Linespot, Christmas, Hoevens Wrasses, Trio Carberryi Anthias, CUC, Mixed Reef Drew Current Tank Info: 90 gal DT 29gal sump. Equipment: 2 OR T247B, RO Varios6 return, RO 150SSS, 2 XF250 Gyres, Jager 300W