Bidirectional tidal flow

[steve fedyk]

This is what I have been trying to come up with, for my new tank. the best I could come up with was two pumps on differant close loops. My thought was its drawning for the other side of the tank would give you the best flow.

How much flow should there be from side to side 5x , 10x ,or more. you don't wont to much flow or too little. Thats where the red dragon pumps would be nice but they're pricey.

I like the idea of the OM with the timer.

[MitchM]

Originally Posted by steve fedyk

...

How much flow should there be from side to side 5x , 10x ,or more. you don't wont to much flow or too little. ...

It depends on what environment you are trying to recreate.

Ocean current speeds can range from 2 centimetres/second up to 2.5 meters/second, so it's totally up to you.
I want to keep SPS type corals up near the top of my aquarium, with LPS down on the bottom, so I want a much lower flow in the lower areas with minimum dead spots and much higher 'flow up top with the use of seaswirls that will accommodate the SPS' environment.

I don't know how you can avoid complications from debris and small animals if you use the same pipes for both suction and discharge, so I think I will go with a clockwise flow for 5 hours , followed by a 1 hour period of rest then 5 hours counterclockwise flow.
On the intake screens I'll have much smaller screens than on the discharge screens, unless I run the cycle through the sump return pump where there will be no intake screen.

Mitch