1. Welcome to Aquarium Space! We are a friendly online community for aquarium owners all over the world who love their tanks including their fish, reefs, corals, invertebrates and their aquatic livestock. If you haven't joined yet, we invite you to register and join our community!

Very interesting article on water flow...

Discussion in 'Saltwater Fish Forum' started by lostanime, Dec 10, 2008.

  1. lostanime

    lostanime Thread Starter New Member

    Messages:
    124
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    I've always been a follower of encouraging turbulant water flow in marine tanks (10x+ for fish, 20x+ for reef) but I stumbled across a year-old article that has me questioning and re-thinking that mentality in comparison to gyres and other effective means of increasing overall velocity.

    <a class="postlink" href="http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2007/1/aafeature" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2007/1/aafeature</a>

    I'm certainly not trying to suggest that anyone dump their current circulation setup to go this route since it sounds like it would open the door for sheering coral tissue, etc depending on velocities and how they are directly colliding with corals (unless water flow was reversed on regular set intervals to keep one direction from blasting too long or too fast).... it brings up a compelling idea though!
     
    lostanime, Dec 10, 2008
    #1
  2. Anthony

    Anthony Active Member

    Messages:
    5,728
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    38
    Water flow and filtration are two different things. From the bit I read, they seem to be combining the two. You can have a 50 time turnover rate and still keep your flow under control. You can also have a 20 time turnover rate and have a much higher flow than you would with the 50x rate. It all depends on how you set things up.
     
    Anthony, Dec 10, 2008
    #2
  3. lostanime

    lostanime Thread Starter New Member

    Messages:
    124
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Much agreed - I was intrigued by the prospect of creating/causing higher velocity/flow through circuit style circulation paths that would cause more consistant overall water movement and turbulance at destinations (collisions) for the same amount of pump output, compared to just pointing pumps at each other.

    I also was surprised at the concept of maintaining specific unilateral flow for more prolonged periods to build momentum, and letting the collision of water against rocks/corals address turbulance needs.

    I'm not saying it's right - but it's the first article I've read that raises validity concerns in my head for Bob Fenner's concepts on circulation.
     
    lostanime, Dec 10, 2008
    #3
  4. genettico

    genettico New Member

    Messages:
    138
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Filtration CAN provide water flow, so they are NOT necessarily 2 different things. You can combine your filtration along with your regular pumps and add to your total water flow!

    I think you hit it right in the head as for the flow rate comparison! and I will quote you again:
    "...You can also have a 20 time turnover rate and have a much higher flow than you would with the 50x rate..."

    The problem is the mis-labeling from companies, mis-information, and the lack of understanding, leads people to make the wrong decisions about the way they setup their equipment. For example if you want low turnover high flow rate you need BIGGER stronger pumps than the high turnover low flow rate! Many people that want the low turn over high flow rate, do it wrong by putting too small pumps with lots of restrictions,bends on their plumbing and excessive piping creating low turnover, low flow rate! And some people that want high turn over low flow rate do it wrong by having huge pumps with medium piping and very little restrictions thus creating a high water turnover high flow rate! The aquarist should inform themselves and assess what their goals are for the specific tank and use the equipment to suit those needs. Ultimately, it is SAFER and much more has been done succesfully with high turnover, medium to medium-high flow rates! That's why I have all my tanks setups with valves on the returns so I can play with overall flow and turnover rates to suit coral's placement better to their flow needs! ;)
     
    genettico, Dec 10, 2008
    #4
  5. genettico

    genettico New Member

    Messages:
    138
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    If you are really looking into circulation, and if you have ever been diving you should really consider tidal flow/wave making style systems!They are commercially available. they are to date the most accurate reproduction of natural waves since they use massive inertia and volume movement instead of a single string, line of laminar flow! it would be the equivalent of you trying to move all the water inside a tank with a powerhead or to "DISPLACE" the volume of the water in your tank with a pushed paddle function! ;)
     
    genettico, Dec 10, 2008
    #5