Gyre flow question

Brew12 · Feb 24, 2017

Has anyone tried using a gyre type flow pump with it mountain vertically instead of horizontally? If so, did you like the results?
I'm still not thrilled with the total flow in my system. When I get the flow I like, the particulate in the water doesn't make it into my corner overflows. Floaties in the water may accurately reflect a true reef, but it is not what I am looking for.

Maacc · Feb 24, 2017

I have one mounted vertically on the opposite wall of my jbj 45 from one mounted horizontally. I think the flow is great. I have both ramping up to 40% each.
Both gyres are Maxspect 130s.

Maacc · Feb 24, 2017

If you look, the vertical gyre blows along the back of the rocks to eliminate dead spots and create eddys.

Greybeard · Feb 24, 2017

I've got a 130 that was mounted vertically for a while. Flow as good, but I couldn't keep the sand on the bottom. Moved it to a horizontal mount.

twobytwo · Feb 24, 2017

I've got mine Vertically on a 120 (4x2x2) just beside the overflow, about halfway up the glass. I like the flow it provides but i'm getting a bit of Cyano on my sand.

Brew12 · Feb 24, 2017

Thanks guys, I may have to give this a try! Didn't realize it was so common!

mcarroll · Feb 24, 2017

I confess I haven't tried it, but I don't like that there's hypothetically a big dead zone in the middle of the "cyclone" that runs from the surface to the sand bed.

That will make a natural settling zone for detritus of the right size....which will make a future home for cyanobacteria.

Horizontal placement creates a sweeping flow, like a broom, across the bottom (like any pump placed similarly would also do) that can work against some of the settling if the flow is strong enough. (Which I'm not claiming it is strong enough....I haven't used these pumps. You may get some settling with all setups and placements. I only know of one brand that creates the right flow speeds for-sure....Gyres have never been tested to my knowledge.)

ksed · Feb 25, 2017

mcarroll said:
I confess I haven't tried it, but I don't like that there's hypothetically a big dead zone in the middle of the "cyclone" that runs from the surface to the sand bed.

That will make a natural settling zone for detritus of the right size....which will make a future home for cyanobacteria.

Horizontal placement creates a sweeping flow, like a broom, across the bottom (like any pump placed similarly would also do) that can work against some of the settling if the flow is strong enough. (Which I'm not claiming it is strong enough....I haven't used these pumps. You may get some settling with all setups and placements. I only know of one brand that creates the right flow speeds for-sure....Gyres have never been tested to my knowledge.)

Interesting, please elaborate when you mentioned one brand that creates the right flow speeds. How is the right flow speed determined .

mcarroll · Feb 25, 2017

When you're talking about lifting sediment, there are some aspects of that which have been studied....bumped into this by accident one night:
Function of Funnel-Shaped Coral Growth in a High-Sedimentation Environment

...and that got me remembering that we got to see these numbers for some popular pumps in this video:

Unfortunately, these flow meters seem to cost >$x,xxx so I'm not sure we'll ever measurements for any more pumps...

Kevinsreefs · Feb 25, 2017

I've had it mounted on the back right next to my overflow on the right on the back wall of a 125. I have it blow right across the back at 50-60% and have a hydor 1150 on the left wall of the tank blowing back across. The gyre 150 didn't fit horizontally on the wall, but with the new 220 build I'm doing I will be happy to finally be able to mount it against the wall!

Brew12 · Feb 25, 2017

My corner overflows will prevent me from mounting one horizontally. I am thinking about mounting one vertically, then using an MP40 on the back wall in the middle in nutrient export mode to keep debris in suspension. With an 18" deep tank, the lack of reach of the MP40 won't matter.

ksed · Feb 25, 2017

mcarroll said:
When you're talking about lifting sediment, there are some aspects of that which have been studied....bumped into this by accident one night:
Function of Funnel-Shaped Coral Growth in a High-Sedimentation Environment

...and that got me remembering that we got to see these numbers for some popular pumps in this video:

Unfortunately, these flow meters seem to cost >$x,xxx so I'm not sure we'll ever measurements for any more pumps...

Interesting

Wrasse-cal · Feb 9, 2018

Brew12 said:
My corner overflows will prevent me from mounting one horizontally. I am thinking about mounting one vertically, then using an MP40 on the back wall in the middle in nutrient export mode to keep debris in suspension. With an 18" deep tank, the lack of reach of the MP40 won't matter.

Did you try this? I'm looking for more feedback about vertically placed gyres.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/fluid-dynamics-question-regarding-gyre.358035/

Brew12 · Feb 9, 2018

Wrasse-cal said:
Did you try this? I'm looking for more feedback about vertically placed gyres.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/fluid-dynamics-question-regarding-gyre.358035/

I never did. I ended up getting a new tank and am running gyres in a more traditional manner.

Forsaken77 · Feb 10, 2018

In my 93 cube I went crazy trying to find a spot where it wouldn't blow the sand and circulate the particulates in the water.

What I found was mounting the unit diagonally in the back-right corner (overflow is back-left corner), and make it hit dead center of the front glass. I had to put a rock where it would hit the sand, but it spreads everything around nicely, and being diagonal means the water flow is staggered.

mch1984 · May 24, 2018

Forsaken77 said:
In my 93 cube I went crazy trying to find a spot where it wouldn't blow the sand and circulate the particulates in the water.

What I found was mounting the unit diagonally in the back-right corner (overflow is back-left corner), and make it hit dead center of the front glass. I had to put a rock where it would hit the sand, but it spreads everything around nicely, and being diagonal means the water flow is staggered.

I know this is an older thread but I may have to try this. I put my gyre on horizontally on the sides of my 90 and it was too much for anything on the two sides (one of which houses my euthyillia). I ended up putting them vertically in the back corners of the tank, I have a center over flow. It works but I have them turned down to 30% +/- and it still moves the sand at the front of the tank. So the euphylllias ended up directly below and seem to be happy there. The tank isn't old enough to have found dead spots yet so we will see.

I liked them better horizontally on the ends but it just didn't work. I couldn't find a happy spot for the euphyllias with that configuration.

Forsaken77 · May 24, 2018

mch1984 said:
I know this is an older thread but I may have to try this. I put my gyre on horizontally on the sides of my 90 and it was too much for anything on the two sides (one of which houses my euthyillia). I ended up putting them vertically in the back corners of the tank, I have a center over flow. It works but I have them turned down to 30% +/- and it still moves the sand at the front of the tank. So the euphylllias ended up directly below and seem to be happy there. The tank isn't old enough to have found dead spots yet so we will see.

I liked them better horizontally on the ends but it just didn't work. I couldn't find a happy spot for the euphyllias with that configuration.

It also helps if you don't aim both gyre deflectors at the same spot. If you mount it vertically, have one face right and the other a bit left. Or the lower portion facing into open water, where the top reflects. That way you don't have the wall of water. I found vertical mounting towards the top, so you get surface agitation, works well like this because you don't get the vortex like a regular pump gives.

But the diagonal mounting helps for higher flow rates, I've found. I still have mine mounted that way.

And if you're using one on each side of the tank, you can angle them to hit the other side opposite of how that side is mounted. It's tough to get the water where you want without displacing sand. I even used a large rock to absorb the amount bouncing down from the glass, which worked well.

Just a few options.

manilaboy1vic · May 24, 2018

i have an icecap 3k mounted vertically.. keeps the back of the tank 100% free of detrietus.. on my BB tank.. it pushes up all the detrietus to the front for a easy quick vacuum.. i also have icecap 1k mounted horizontally..

i have them on dif. schedules too.. where one has constant flow and the other is pulsing.. then after and hour they switch roles.. gyres are awesome.. i have a old maxspect gyre too.. but i cant program it like the new icecaps/maxspects . .