Improving water circulation

[dcwk]

I managed to get hold of an Eheim 1250. I hope to use it to improve water circulation in my 2 feet cube. This is my current equipment setup.
Eheim 2026 --> UV Lamp --> Reactor

I am thinking of either one of the 2 new setups.

(a) 2026 --> 1250 --> UV Lamp --> Reactor

(b) 1250 --> UV Lamp --> Reactor
2026 (standalone)

Which is a better option?

[dcwk]

Anyone can advise?

[neon]

2026 flow rate may be too strong by itself. 2026 with the UV + reactor should be sufficient for your 2 ft.

Currently I am using 2213 with chiller for my 2 ft.

[denniswko]

I managed to get hold of an Eheim 1250. I hope to use it to improve water circulation in my 2 feet cube. This is my current equipment setup.
Eheim 2026 --> UV Lamp --> Reactor

I am thinking of either one of the 2 new setups.

(a) 2026 --> 1250 --> UV Lamp --> Reactor

(b) 1250 --> UV Lamp --> Reactor
2026 (standalone)

Which is a better option?

I thlnk (B) is better..

[bossteck]

Same here, option 2 for me.
How quickly water flows through the filter media does affect the effectiveness of bio-filteration. I feel it is best not to change the flow rate of filters because of this reason.

[vinz]

Ummm... I seriously don't think option (a) will result in a combined stronger flow. At worst, the slower pump/filter will limit the flow. At best, the faster one is the max you get.

Option (b) isn't great either. I wouldn't run the pump or drive the UV and the reactor without a pre-filter. Personally, I prefer the water going through any device other then a filter to be filtered. (1) Prevent clogging by larger debris. Even if there's no flow reduction, I really don't want anything to get stuck in those devices. They get dirty enough as it is, no need to let more stuff get in there. (2) The UV and the turbulence of the reactor will probably serious seriously harm or kill any livestock (fish or shrimp fries) that might make it past the pump impellers. (3) I don't want large debris to clog the pump's impeller chamber, nor want livestock to get chopped up by the impeller.

I suggest:
- Run the pump with a pre-filter. Split the output to 2 or 3 locations to improve overall circulation.
- Connect the reactor to the pump. The split output will result in better distribution of CO2.
- Connect the UV to either the pump or the filter. UV lamps have a recommended flow rate as well... so that is a good factor for your decision. Else, the slower, the better. Gives the UV lamp a bit more time to do it's job.

[o2bubble]

My opinion is always run through a filter to remove the dirts before before UV, chiller or reactor first to prevent clogging/damaging the equipments. You can use a seperate small filter for this purpose instead of using a pump + prefilter as suggested by bro vinz. Or you can use a bigger filter with higher flow rate and split the outlet like I did for my 2078 (refer to the thread on this I posted)

[dcwk]

I have decided not to put the 1250 to use for the time being as my cardinals are struggling to cope with the turbulence created.

I have re-positioned the rainbar 2 inch above the substrate. Hopefully this will help in bringing the CO2 to the plants.

If this fails, I am thinking of changing the reactor to a diffuser. Is diffuser effective in 200 litre tank?

The last resort which I hope I do not have to do is to follow what brother o2bubble did, getting a 2078...

[celticfish]

@ vinz,
Never thought of it your way but its a good point.
Considering how dirty the outflow pipes get even with the water running through the whole filter!

@ dcwk,
Prehaps you can get an additional inlet basket and pipe for your 1250?
Then add a sponge over the inlet to act as a pre-filter.
I use the OTTO brand from C328 and it fits the inlet basket just nice.
It comes in a pack of three and is hanging just in front of the cash register.

[samuelgoh]

I have re-positioned the rainbar 2 inch above the substrate. Hopefully this will help in bringing the CO2 to the plants.

If this fails, I am thinking of changing the reactor to a diffuser. Is diffuser effective in 200 litre tank?

hi brother, i am doing what you are planning to do, in the same 200 litres environment.

previously had a lot of problems with the internal reactor setup.

what i did was changed to a diffuser, put the diffuser under the rainbar, and use the output from the rainbar to help spread the CO2, with another internal filter under the rainbar to push the CO2 out further.

so far, tank doing better, plants growing well, BGA gone, Hair algae gone, less the damn persistent BBA...

hope it helps

[dcwk]

Brother samuelgoh, it is a joy to hear that you have conquered algae problems. I hope the hair algae and BBA in my tank will go away too. My yamatos are alway hiding, probably due to the presence of my pair of rams.