Water circulation
- Thread starter mathman
- Start date
Things Taken to Nth tend to be Silly
Hi,
Usually more circulation is better,
Generally, high circulation is not a cause of algae.
I have more I can add but I offend folks when I do that.
Biollante
Hi,
Usually more circulation is better,
- I am sure there is a point of diminishing return and
- as with anything it can be pushed to the point of ridiculous.
Generally, high circulation is not a cause of algae.
I have more I can add but I offend folks when I do that.
Biollante
Lazy Stream, Think Again
Hi,
Of course, 1-knot (nautical mile per hour) is the equivalent of changing the water in a 55-gallon tank every 3.48 seconds, 17.24 times a minute, 1034.5 times an hour, figure 51,725-gallons per hour.
Still there are a couple of other considerations...:apathy:
Biollante
Hi,
Of course, 1-knot (nautical mile per hour) is the equivalent of changing the water in a 55-gallon tank every 3.48 seconds, 17.24 times a minute, 1034.5 times an hour, figure 51,725-gallons per hour.
Still there are a couple of other considerations...:apathy:
Biollante
This is an interesting read:
http://www.jlakes.org/web/Interaction-watermovement-sediment-macrophyte-H2001.pdf
http://www.jlakes.org/web/Interaction-watermovement-sediment-macrophyte-H2001.pdf
My issue with flow isn't having enough pumping capacity, it's directing it around properly. I have 2 x Eheim 2217s in a 40 breeder and even still, it's a big tradeoff when I aim the spraybars (4 individually aim-able sections):
- masses of stem plants having "Dead spots" in the middle and decent if not somewhat high movement of leaves on the outer fringes,
vs
- getting movement throughout the mass of plants but several inches of "blowing sideways" plants which isn't very attractive.
I currently have one set of spray bars aiming at the front glass of the tank, so it comes down and back and hits the mass of stem plants on the front side, and another spraybar pointing down the back glass so it flows in the opposite direction through the stem plants. Still dead in the middle (thanks, 18" wide 40 breeder!)
I've only recently made this adjustment (once my rotala grew in thick enough that it no longer was "all waving" like when i first planted), and will give it two weeks to see if the dead spots are as dead as i think they are and cause algae.
- masses of stem plants having "Dead spots" in the middle and decent if not somewhat high movement of leaves on the outer fringes,
vs
- getting movement throughout the mass of plants but several inches of "blowing sideways" plants which isn't very attractive.
I currently have one set of spray bars aiming at the front glass of the tank, so it comes down and back and hits the mass of stem plants on the front side, and another spraybar pointing down the back glass so it flows in the opposite direction through the stem plants. Still dead in the middle (thanks, 18" wide 40 breeder!)
I've only recently made this adjustment (once my rotala grew in thick enough that it no longer was "all waving" like when i first planted), and will give it two weeks to see if the dead spots are as dead as i think they are and cause algae.
I also use two eheim filters in a densely planted tank.
One of the many concerns, I think we all share, is how can we hide the equipment so that we have a pleasing view of the tank without all the eye soaring equipment. In my case, I do not use a spray bar...so, what would be the best placement for the inputs and output of both filters. Keep in mind that this is a densely planted tank with java ferns and amazon swords. If possible please provide A picture or drawing as I am a visual learner.
One of the many concerns, I think we all share, is how can we hide the equipment so that we have a pleasing view of the tank without all the eye soaring equipment. In my case, I do not use a spray bar...so, what would be the best placement for the inputs and output of both filters. Keep in mind that this is a densely planted tank with java ferns and amazon swords. If possible please provide A picture or drawing as I am a visual learner.
Theres no perfect answer here, of course.
For me though, I gave up moving the flow about...now I just move the plants instead, putting the more demanding ones where they cop the best part of the flow, and the less demanding somewhere else.
When I take cuttings from a stem, I make sure I plant the cuttings somewhere where the CO2 is at least as good as where the cuttings came from (i.e. plant cuttings "up stream").
Scott.
For me though, I gave up moving the flow about...now I just move the plants instead, putting the more demanding ones where they cop the best part of the flow, and the less demanding somewhere else.
When I take cuttings from a stem, I make sure I plant the cuttings somewhere where the CO2 is at least as good as where the cuttings came from (i.e. plant cuttings "up stream").
Scott.