Visualizing flow

[User]

Anyone have any tips on how to visualize flow in a tank before you start placing corals? I have a gyre 250 and a 1” RFA at opposite ends of an inwall 180, and there’s got to be a better way than blowing fine bubbles into the return or watching where the food goes, right?

Anyone using any fancy or ghetto gadgets to visualize their flow? Fake silicone anemones? Fancy photography tricks like digital particle velocimetry?

Any insights would be great!

 

[Jonathan Troutt]

Following

 

[jgvergo]

I'd suggest air bubbles would be the least intrusive way to do it. You could use an air stone and air pump.

 

[MSB123]

I'd suggest air bubbles would be the least intrusive way to do it. You could use an air stone and air pump.

You could also get something like an additive/coral food and dump some in the flow and watch how it dissipates

 

[User]

Air stone at my pump intake and food particles I’ve tried. Bubbles don’t last long enough and the amount of food needed just messes up the tank.

Thanks guys

 

[Breadman03]

I've seen folks use a string tied to a stick.