Moving water

mhaith · #1 12/10/2007, 09:46 PM

What is the best way to create aggressive water movement in a long acrylic 210?

I am just setting this up and would appreciate any thoughts!

FOSELONE · #2 12/10/2007, 09:47 PM

vortech...or tunze powerheads...

mhaith · #3 12/10/2007, 09:48 PM

Vortech isn't a problem for acrylic?

spstimie · #4 12/11/2007, 08:10 PM

eductors are helpful

Zooid · #5 12/11/2007, 08:18 PM

hmmmmm I posted a few days ago in here and it's gone. I recommended the same thing spstimie hehe.
Vortechs are excellent if you have a truckload of cash to throw down though. I'd love to have 4 of those bad boys for my 200g.

rmougey · #6 12/11/2007, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mhaith
Vortech isn't a problem for acrylic?

Nope,

I've had a Vortech on my 60" plex tank for over a year with no problems. It works great!

If you acrylic is 1" thick, or thicker, that will be a problem as the magnet isn't strong enough.

-Rob

mdrumm · #7 12/11/2007, 10:21 PM

i am setting up my 135 with four vortechs! Have 3 in my 90 gallon and I get crazy flow!!!!

MBX5 · #8 12/11/2007, 10:56 PM

I love my Tunze. I have not looked into Vortech's in a long time so not sure if they have a way to put them on angles like you can with the Tunze. Also did Vortech get the controllers out yet?

Zooid · #9 12/11/2007, 10:58 PM

Vortechs now have wireless wave controllers that I heard can create standing waves in your tank

mhaith · #10 12/12/2007, 12:28 PM

The Vortechs and the Tunzes are the obvious answer and sound like a great way to go.

I have a big Jaguar pump that gets things moving in the tank and the returns create the turbulance needed.

Perhaps I am naive as I am just getting going on a large tank but it seems every water movement solution involves the latest and greatest (and most expensive). Whereas there are many DIY solutions to plumbing, I'm wondering if there are some creative and more cost effective ways to create the some wave motion without throwing a truckload of cash at it?

rmougey · #11 12/12/2007, 01:13 PM

If you have the space above or behind, or the tank is built into the wall (or had it's own room like bbrantley's Big Bertha), there are lots of possible solutions. Wave boxes can create steady regular motion.

Closed loops are very popular. Some folks use Ocenmotions on their loops or return lines to alternate flow.

Basically, the less room you have and the quieter you want your tank to run, the more you look to technology.

-Rob

mhaith · #12 12/12/2007, 01:32 PM

aaah that makes sense. I have no room except under the tank and the Jaguar already sounds like a diesel engine in my living room!

rehnberg · #13 12/12/2007, 02:02 PM

Someday... I would like to do two seaswirls coming off my return pump from my fuge. These keep your water moving and create random flow, plus they won't add any heat to you tank.

rehnberg · #14 12/12/2007, 02:08 PM

Also I have seen a Maxi Jet Mod move quite a bit of water for a pretty cheap price.

MBX5 · #15 12/12/2007, 02:20 PM

surge tank with toilet stoppers.

rkl303 · #16 12/13/2007, 12:40 AM

Man I wish had like 4 Vortechs in my 40....although my fish might hate me.

Dave & Monica · #17 12/13/2007, 08:09 AM

I was watching video's the other evening and I am not positive, but I believe one of these had a DIY wavemaker
http://www.reefvideos.com/
There was another page from reefcentral from last months issue but most were not working...

miwoodar · #18 12/13/2007, 05:36 PM

Plug this into Google ---- video swirler stein maxijet

I would send the link but I can't get to YouTube from work.

Check out the swirler stein video. I use swirler steins and maxi-jet mods on my tank. If you have DIY interests, it gets my vote. There is a swirler stein thread here on RC that shows how they are made. For tools, all you need is a dremel, a drill, and a screwdriver.

---edit---
Here's the thread. Hmott's posts (April 13'ish) had the best pics but apparently they are dead. He has a clear parts list on that post though. A pic of mine is at the bottom of the thread.

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...71&perpage=444

mhaith · #19 12/13/2007, 06:33 PM

Toilet stoppers, reef videos NOW we're gettin' somewhere! That video site is great!
Maybe I'm not supposed to change a thread like this but anyone else have great educational resoures like that video site?
Actually, I'm gonna post a new thread....See what resources are out there.

miwoodar · #20 12/13/2007, 06:41 PM

Swirler Steins are about $30 each in parts. If I were doing it today, I wouldn't DIY my Maxi-Jet mods. I would buy Sure Flow kits instead.

mdrumm · #21 12/13/2007, 06:43 PM

Get back to work Mike.

miwoodar · #22 12/13/2007, 06:45 PM

Work? What's that?