Food Color Dye for flow test and circulation test.

[dreamcatcherr9]

When setting up a new system. Let’s say during a fresh water leak test; Has anyone used Food Color Dye for flow test and circulation test.

May real questions, would the food dye risk staining anything (glass, silicone, equipment, etc)?

Does the dye have any adverse affects to water chemistry’s?

Hope that all made sense. Thank you!

 

[mfinn]

I did that once but used some tiny fish flake food.

 

[T-J]

For me, I'd rather use something else. Basically you get one shot to see part of the flow, and then boom, the tank water is now stained and I can't see another test. BRS did one, and so did a few other youtubers, using little plastic beads. They weren't Styrofoam, but plastic, like perhaps ammo for an airsoft gun?

 

[ZipAdeeZoa]

I've seen people use bubbles from a not completely submerged wave maker, can't say I've tried that myself though.

 

[dopey]

Think the tip BRS suggested is to inject air into your power head. They said even sometimes it'll do it by itself just by plasing a hose near and out of the tank.

I had to try it with some random rodi tubing I had. It didn't work I could blow in it, and generate a bubble storm.

If I had a cheap 'old school' air pump used to power an air stone.. I would just turn that on and place the hose near the pumps. That would cause a pretty constant storm of bubbles ithink.

 

[dreamcatcherr9]

It wasn’t just display I was thinking about, but sump, and specific equipment as well.

Interesting, I doubt I will try, I was just curious. Thanks everyone!

 

[Thespammailaccount]

Interesting. I am building a diy kreisel tank and would like to know if cylindrical flow has been achieved

 

[Larry L]

For a tank that's already set up, my favorite thing to use is @Reef Nutrition R.O.E. fish eggs - they are almost neutrally buoyant and you can see flow patterns well - until the fish eat them up.