Random Flow Generators & Random Flow in Your Reef Tank

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Keeping to our FLOW theme for the week let's talk about random flow and more specifically random flow generators! Random Flow Generators have been used in the hobby for quite some time and many people use them as part of their standard equipment, but not everyone. Let's talk about it!

Do you use a random flow generator device in your reef aquarium?

Do you care about having random flow in your reef aquarium?

 

[fishybizzness]

I currently have a vca nozzle on the overflows of both my tanks. I find that it adds a extra benefit of creating a little random flow without added pumps or other gear. Only downside is that you have to have a certain amount of flow going through them for it to be effective.

 

[shakacuz]

i sure do! have 2 RFG nozzles from VCA

 

[exnisstech]

I have one and ran it on a previous tank. It did well but I have dual outlets on one tank now so never bothered to buy a second and it doesn't fit my other tank so it's in the box of ever-growing not in use gear.
Anyone know of one that will fit the output on a redsea reefer 170?

 

[Kristopher Conlin]

I don't currently but I plan on buying a few for my tanks very soon! I definitely can see it helping a lot.

 

[Kellie in CA]

I have a few and they are pretty cool. I just don't use them because my trachy is a delicate flower and is VERY picky about the flow it will accept.

 

[Borat]

I use random flow DIY controller:

DIY HOB Powerhead Controller

This project started more than a year ago - back then my first version of the controller looked like this: https://www.ultimatereef.net/threads/diy-powerhead-controller.874733/ The controller sat in the electrics cabinet with cables/sockets sitting behind cabinet. I later discovered that this...

www.ultimatereef.net

 

[HBtank]

I used to have one of these, but what a PITA to replace when it failed! Replaced with standard PVC.

1

Pronounced "Squid" The 1" SCWD from 3iQ Ventures was designed and built to the highest standards of Quality and Reliability. Designed with large aquarium and pond applications in mind, this device will provide increased water movement at higher volume rates. With its 1" standard threaded inlet...

3iqventures.com

 

[design.maddie]

So, back in the day I was an avid believer in Closed Loop systems and Wavemaker motor things. I don't even remember what they were called. I LUVED that setup. 1 pump plumbed into this motor with 4 outlets and it would rotate between 2 on/2 off by rotating a piece on the inside. I had those with the little spinner things on the outlets. There was absolutely no pattern to flow inside the tank and my Hippo tang was in love.

These days I run the TUNZE system and my top water motion is a standing wave that increases and decreases in strength over about a 5 minute window. The deep water current in my tank is tidal full flow for 30 seconds and off for 45 seconds. It isn't randomized to us but I bet it feels random to them inhabitants.

 

[Jubei2006]

Use an ocean motion 4 way on a closed loop on my big tank. Alternates ends of the tank about every minute.

 

[Biglew11]

I have 2 rfg from vca on my 75.

 

[KStatefan]

I was using the ones from Cleven but took them off to clean and have not replaced them.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

I didn’t care for these but I definitely mix things up with the gyre schedule.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Utilizing 7 in a 660g
4 in a 135g

 

[Shooter6]

I did on my previous system and loved them. Want to use them on my current system but they don't sell 2 inch, 2 1/4, and 2 1/2 ones which are the sizes I require. I wish they or someone else would though.

 

[Rovert]

I used to have one of these, but what a PITA to replace when it failed! Replaced with standard PVC.

1

Pronounced "Squid" The 1" SCWD from 3iQ Ventures was designed and built to the highest standards of Quality and Reliability. Designed with large aquarium and pond applications in mind, this device will provide increased water movement at higher volume rates. With its 1" standard threaded inlet...

3iqventures.com

OMG, I couldn't remember for the life of me the name of this thing. Agree, great idea but dodgy reliability, I also went to straight pipe. Then I bought a SeaSwirl that also bombed on me. This time, I have in-tank circ via 2x Gyres and the WaveEngine.

 

[Spicy Reef]

Isn't this effectively the "same" question as below...
I guess it's all in the nuance.
My twist is:
Would someone please explain why random flow is better than just flow?

I do drop the speed with the moons cycle, but I think only out of peer-pressure lol
I've not noticed any difference to my corals or "dirty" build up if I use any type of Random flow.

QUESTION OF THE DAY - Aquarium Flow: High Flow versus Random Flow

So I have been thinking a little more about aquarium flow as of late. I have seen a ton of discussion going on about the best power heads, water movers, return pumps, etc. and I thought we might get a good discussion going about your experience with water flow. Personally I have enough water...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[MBinNY]

I run 4 1” vca random flow generators on my 400 2 as closed loop 2 on the returns.

 

[Cjeippert]

I like them because they allow me to crank up my return pump to speed up the turn over. Especially when you add the splitter. However not sure if or how they actually generate random flow since return pump is steady.
Original small red sea outflow was a strong torpedo of water with a lot of force in one small area

 

[DJMCB35]

Keeping to our FLOW theme for the week let's talk about random flow and more specifically random flow generators! Random Flow Generators have been used in the hobby for quite some time and many people use them as part of their standard equipment, but not everyone. Let's talk about it!

Do you use a random flow generator device in your reef aquarium?

Do you care about having random flow in your reef aquarium?

VCA nozzles on each return in Reefer 525xl.

As much as we read a lot about stability (mostly parameters), I believe some variables are good for our tanks. In addition to other things, random flow is good helping with dead spots.