Random Flow Generators: How many of you use them?

[Shooter6]

I'm waiting to here back from the company, for larger ones to put on my closed loop system.

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

I'm waiting to here back from the company, for larger ones to put on my closed loop system.

Let us know what you're looking for - I'm sure we have a size that will for what you need.

We have Random Flow Generator® Nozzles from the tiny little 1/4in all the way up to 2in models. The 2in can move some serious flow.

 

[Griev]

I have a 3D printer so I don't really have a reason not to run them! They definitely do make the flow chaotic.

 

[Shooter6]

Let us know what you're looking for - I'm sure we have a size that will for what you need.

We have Random Flow Generator® Nozzles from the tiny little 1/4in all the way up to 2in models. The 2in can move some serious flow.

I had emailed asking about 1.5 inch threaded to screw directly into the bulkheads, or a 1.5 inch threaded tee . butt you can see I have threaded bulkheads in my back wall, each return is powered by a jebao mcd10000, with about 4k gph flow.

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

I had emailed asking about 1.5 inch threaded to screw directly into the bulkheads, or a 1.5 inch threaded tee . butt you can see I have threaded bulkheads in my back wall, each return is powered by a jebao mcd10000, with about 4k gph flow.

i see - yeah, unfortunately we do not manufacture any threaded arts at that size. But, maybe something like this could work

ERA Sch 80 PVC 1-1/2 Inch Male Adapter, Socket x MNPT, NSF Compliant

1.5" Schedule 80 PVC Male Adapter Socket X Male NPT, NSF Compliant. Connect Male NPT to socket connection. Single and multi-packs. In stock, ready to ship.

shop.prmfiltration.com

then you could add a few of these with some section of pipe between then to connect them, and one section of pipe to attach the RFG to.

ERA Sch 80 PVC 1-1/2 Inch 45 Degree Elbow, Socket, NSF Compliant

1-1/2 Inch Schedule 80 PVC 45-Degree Elbow- Socket Connect, NSF Compliant. All PVC sizes available. Redirect flow at 45-degree angle. In stock, quick ship.

shop.prmfiltration.com

With two of these 45s, you could get full articulation

 

[Shooter6]

i see - yeah, unfortunately we do not manufacture any threaded arts at that size. But, maybe something like this could work

ERA Sch 80 PVC 1-1/2 Inch Male Adapter, Socket x MNPT, NSF Compliant

1.5" Schedule 80 PVC Male Adapter Socket X Male NPT, NSF Compliant. Connect Male NPT to socket connection. Single and multi-packs. In stock, ready to ship.

shop.prmfiltration.com

then you could add a few of these with some section of pipe between then to connect them, and one section of pipe to attach the RFG to.

ERA Sch 80 PVC 1-1/2 Inch 45 Degree Elbow, Socket, NSF Compliant

1-1/2 Inch Schedule 80 PVC 45-Degree Elbow- Socket Connect, NSF Compliant. All PVC sizes available. Redirect flow at 45-degree angle. In stock, quick ship.

shop.prmfiltration.com

With two of these 45s, you could get full articulation

Yeah I understand that as an option but the asthetics of that would be ugly. Fine for a grow tank but not displays. As of now I'm running them with wide open which works ok. I'd really like to screw in nozzles directly to the bulkheads for minimal extension into the display while adding to the randomness of the flow coming out of each port. I have 4 return ports in this 8x3x2 400g

 

[flagg37]

@Vivid Creative Aquatics If I were to use your 1-1/2” RFG and attach it straight off the bulkhead, how far under the surface of the water do you recommend that it should be installed so that it doesn’t suck in air or spray water everywhere? I plan on having 3000-3500 gph running through it.

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

@Vivid Creative Aquatics If I were to use your 1-1/2” RFG and attach it straight off the bulkhead, how far under the surface of the water do you recommend that it should be installed so that it doesn’t suck in air or spray water everywhere? I plan on having 3000-3500 gph running through it.

That's a tough one since there are few factors that may affect this

Assuming your have a distance of , say 2.75 to 3 feet from the tip of the RFG to the front glass, I would think you would be OK in terms of splashing out of the tank. Any less than that, and at the flow rate, then you run that risk. Of course this is assuming the nozzle is facing directly forward towards the glass.

If it less than that - you may need to be as much as 6 to 7 inches below the water line to avoid splashing - the 1.5in RFG is a big nozzle and it creates a BIG flow pattern

As far as being below the water line to avoid drawing in air, and blowing bubbles in you tank, If properly positioned, you should be able to maintain a depth of around 2.5 to 3 inches at that flow rate and be ok - keep in mind though, this will create heavy surface splashing at that depth with that flow rate.

When I say "Properly positioned", what I'm referring to this this particular case, is rotation of the RFG on the straight pipe. The example below is for modular hose, but item "B" is still valid in this scenario. Positioning properly will minimize the possibility of drawing in air, at closer distances to the surface.

Hopefully that answers your questions - if not, please feel free to to just give us a call and we'll be happy to help.

 

[mw892017]

I use the Sicce 1.0. I guess the additional flow helps as I can water the polyps move.

I have a one in a Fluval evo with a sicce 1.0 seems to work ok. Never had a powerhead as I’m new to the hobby so couldn’t tell which is better tbh.

 

[AquariumSpecialty Verified Sponsor]

We really like the VCA Random Flow Generators and we use them on all of our farm tanks.

VCA - By Brand

Your #1 source for top brand aquarium supplies for aquariums. We offer free shipping, price matching, fantastic technical and customer support.

www.aquariumspecialty.com

 

[Greybeard]

What was the old water flow powered 'T' fitting, alternated one return to the other, based on an internal spinning propeller. This thread had me thinking of it, can't remember what they were called. Cool piece of kit, back in the day

 

[AquariumSpecialty Verified Sponsor]

What was the old water flow powered 'T' fitting, alternated one return to the other, based on an internal spinning propeller. This thread had me thinking of it, can't remember what they were called. Cool piece of kit, back in the day

Yea we carried those for a short time but they restricted the flow way too much for them to be a worth while gadget. Sorry but I can't recall the name of them but I do remember them. I had a couple of them on my 180 home tank.

 

[rdirtytwo]

I had the IM SpinStream for about a year before I upgraded to the VCA RFG's. The SpinStream is nice, but since there removable parts, you have to clean it more often and I found that when you take it apart many times, the locking tabs end up getting loose and leak water. Since upgrading, I have had no complaints. I was even able to crank up the return pump and run my 9g without the wavemaker to create nice random flow.

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics Verified Sponsor]

What was the old water flow powered 'T' fitting, alternated one return to the other, based on an internal spinning propeller. This thread had me thinking of it, can't remember what they were called. Cool piece of kit, back in the day

Wasn't that called a a SCWD (pronounced Squid)?
Here's a pic I found

Never actually used one, but I do remember them.

Now, with the advent of the Patented Random Flow Generator® nozzle - you no longer need such a device. You just need strong and steady flow and let the RFG do the rest...

Its like the flow of the ocean in a box of water ;-)

 

[Greybeard]

Wasn't that called a a SCWD (pronounced Squid)?

Yup

That's the thing. They didn't work very well... this thread got me thinking about them, and couldn't come up with the name.

 

[GARRIGA]

I never used one and like many things in this hobby feel it is un necessary and maybe even detrimental. I am not the God of random flow but I have been SCUBA almost since Cousteau invented the thing.
In most places in the sea the flow is in one direction except in very shallow water near the surf.
If you have dove in many places in the Caribbean, the flow goes one way. It certainly does not change every second. The tide in the tropics is very small so it hardly affects flow and if it did, like here in the North the water only changes direction every 6 hours so every 6 hours I reveres my powerheads.

I think a stronger flow in one direction is better. I have powerheads on opposite ends of my 6' long tank and when the flow merges in the center of the tank it makes a random flow. The fish that like that, can live there if they like. I can see it being more valuable in a small tank or spawning tank.
Just my opinion of course (Sorry people who make the device)

Why I'm designing a double peninsula so that flow goes from one end to the other. Draw from one baffle, feed through closed loop filtration to the other baffle. Baffles will have slits top, center and bottom to allow even flow from one end to the other. Might make mid section contain more slits to increase flow there and perhaps best for Sticks. Still working the details out and likely first building a small prototype where I can cover slits and see flow patterns. Reversing the flow too complicated but was considered and there is a new pump in the market that can push or pull water. Add wave makers if needed but hoping not.

 

[Dburr1014]

What was the old water flow powered 'T' fitting, alternated one return to the other, based on an internal spinning propeller. This thread had me thinking of it, can't remember what they were called. Cool piece of kit, back in the day

The squid, Oops, got answered already.
I had one, just had to keep it clean.