Minimum water level above XF250 Gyre...?

[salty150]

What is the "minimum" water level required above the XF250 Gyre?

I am trying to be as "cordless/wireless" inside the aquarium as possible.

Thanks!

 

[wkscott]

It depends on if using the pump at full speed or not. At full speed you will need to place it at least 4 inches below the water line otherwise it is powerful enough that it can suck in air from the surface via small whirlpools and fill the tank with micro bubbles.

 

[salty150]

Ah... that makes sense.

Well I am looking at getting 2 of them for a 210 gallon tank (6' x 2' x 2.5').

So, probably won't be using them past 50%...? Maybe...?

 

[wkscott]

If you will be keeping SPS you will probably want them to run closer to 100%, depending on how full the tank is with live rock. This will give nice,strong currents throughout the tank. Otherwise you may have some dead spots.

 

[salty150]

If you will be keeping SPS you will probably want them to run closer to 100%, depending on how full the tank is with live rock. This will give nice,strong currents throughout the tank. Otherwise you may have some dead spots.

No SPS (for now) - just frogspawns and hammers, plus the fish...

 

[wkscott]

Frogspawn and hammers like low flow, just enough to keep them gently swaying. 50% may even be too strong. In any case you will still need to keep the pumps at least 3 inches below the water line otherwise the up and forward flow may spray out above the water line.

 

[griff500]

I have mine only a couple of inches or so below the surface but pointed directly forward.

 

[bubbaque]

I have two 250's on a 180 gallon 6x2x2. I keep sps and can't go over 60% or I get sand storms. They are roughly 4" from the top of the water.

 

[ahiggins]

Has anyone tried using them vertically? ("normal" orientation I believe would be horizontal) to achieve the zero dead spots -those of us with a lot of rock

 

[salty150]

Has anyone tried using them vertically? ("normal" orientation I believe would be horizontal) to achieve the zero dead spots -those of us with a lot of rock

This is the way I decided to go - vertically in the corners so they, and the cords, are not as noticeable.

 

[billwill]

However far down it takes to keep from cavitation. All depends on percentage output, time, and frequency you're running

 

[ahiggins]

This is the way I decided to go - vertically in the corners so they, and the cords, are not as noticeable.

Ive been thinking about changing mine up. Did you have to realign the heads on it so it pushed more horizontal in flow rather than up in flow?

 

[wkscott]

This is the way I decided to go - vertically in the corners so they, and the cords, are not as noticeable.

Let us know how this works out for you. I tried it once but I have a sand bed and it blew the sand away from the front glass.