Flow on Peninsula Tank

[fishybizzness]

So I'm here wondering why people that set up large peninsula tanks do everything in their power to avoid placing powerheads or flow pumps on the short viewing side while people with regular tanks with overflows on the back wall regularly place powerheads and flow pumps on both short sides of the aquarium even when both short sides are viewing panels. Any opinions on this observation?

 

[blaxsun]

Basically it comes down to viewing area. With a peninsula tank you're trying to achieve clear viewing from 270° while with a regular rear-facing tank you typically have at most 180° (but usually 90-135°). Why do I have my gyres on either of the short sides? Better side-to-side flow - the same reason you'll see most peninsulas setup with wavemakers on the short end.

 

[Sean Clark]

Having both I would prefer any reduction of stuff in the tank. The peninsula layout, for me, offers the smallest footprint of stuff in the tank. So instead of having your overflow and returns spread out along the back of the tank it is all concentrated on one side. Less visual impact.