return flow question

mrtian97

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 16, 2015
Messages
802
Reaction score
156
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
I have a strong return flow using Marineland NJ 5500 with my 120 gallon, it blows my 2" deep sand to the other side. is this ok?
Thanks
 
Does it annoy you?
 
If you have a return nozzle that is round, then you can get one of those flat fan- looking nozzles and that would spread out the flow and help as well. If it bothers you to have the sand being moved then change it. Really, once you start adding corals you'll want to be more careful about the flow. LPS for example probably wont appreciate that ammount of flow. SPS however, probably would enjoy it.
 
thanks, I have the return at the back left corner of the tank and pointed to the front right corner of the tank, is this meant by Cross flow? I figure this is the longest distance for the return flow
 
In my 120 I had I had a nozzle at each corner of the tank pointed to the center front of the tank. Creates turbulent flow and not direct flow.
Now my tank just had 1 overflow in the center.
 
You can split the flow by addin a t either with PVC or loc line.
With a strait shot from back left to back right you will create laminar flow. It will most likely also create a spin like a drain. With t lines shooting from back left and from front left , shooting to the right it creates smooth laminar flow and prob curls down on the right creatin a lower flow back to the left
If you shoot both from the left front and rear and then place a powerhead on the right side of the tank, where the 2 flows meet is turbulent.

Two returns on each back corner shooting towards middle front creates a barrel roll on each side and as it crosses creates turbulence as the 2 flows meet. I.e. Cross flow.

Laminar turbulent and surge. Three types of flow.
 
And no you want your Dsb in one place probably.
 

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

  • Yes!

    Votes: 32 45.7%
  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

    Votes: 9 12.9%
  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%
  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 4.3%

New Posts

Back
Top