Circulation without blowing the substrate around?

[RacerX308e]

I am getting ready to break down my SPS/clam 55gal office tank and rebuild it from scratch. Mostly, I want to redo all the plumbing and electrical to make it easier to maintain and more aesthetically pleasing.

My question is: How can I get decent flow in the tank with a Southdown substrate and not blow it all around? I am seriously considering barebottom so I don't have to worry about it but I like the aesthetics of a sand substrate and I also love my goby/pistol shrimp combo! Also, thought of faux bottom with a pool of sand in the middle for the combo but concerned this will stir things up as well. Won't need the sand in the tank as I will have a DSB in a seperate plumbed fuge.

Any help would be appreciated.

[reefworm]

how have you been circulating the water up to now? I'm suspecting powerheads? If so, Korllia's or tunze surge generators may be good alternatives. I've just ordered 2 Korlia #2s for my 29 for that very reason, but I've not seen them in action yet, going on input from others. They're designed to move large volumes of water across a wide cross-section so streams of water don't blast rock or sand. Hopefully others who've had these in action will weigh in.

[Sk8r]

Use a T-connector for an outflow nozzle. You can even T off the flow into two pipes, T each one on the outflow as nozzle, no problem, plenty of outlets for the flow. A Sea Swirl, also, acts like a loose garden hose in the tank, causing flow to sweep and change.

[mcrist]

I have the same problem with my tank, I think I may try the T-connection idea. I have Tunze and Vortech pumps and they stir up my sand.

[liferuiner055]

i have a koralia #4 in my tank and ive never had an issue with the substrate floating around, but it does an excellent job of creating more flow. its a really good product. i havent really heard many people complain about them.