Flow advice needed

[ZzyzxRiver]

This is my current Biocube 16 aquascape. I can’t change it—it’s glued down and my beginner mistakes are locked in, haha. I’ve got the nozzle pointed slightly down and to the left, creating a circular, one direction flow around the tank. I’ve ended up with two dead spots- one in the dead center of the tank (this one is ‘less’ dead but stuff still ends up there), and one in the back left corner (visible in the second photo). My snails and shrimp do typically get to it, but it’s not a great thing to have happen, right?

I’m looking for suggestions on what might be a better direction to point my nozzle, or other ways I might remedy the situation.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Lavey29]

You need to use the return to create ample surface ripple in the tank if that is your only flow source currently. It should be breaking the surface for gas exchange not pointed down.

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

You need to use the return to create ample surface ripple in the tank if that is your only flow source currently. It should be breaking the surface for gas exchange not pointed down.

Is this for oxygen? With the AIO unit, I have a little bit of a waterfall in the back that I think is creating gas exchange, and I also have macroalgae in the tank. Would I still need a surface ripple in that case?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Add a powerhead for more flow and remove dead spots.

 

[GARRIGA]

Perhaps wave maker low on one corner or where flow best benefited and return should always agitate the surface as gas exchange also removes nitrogen and possibly hydrogen sulfide.

Might be able to increase the pump and force more flow that way but best just get a second pump dedicated to flow for suspending detritus. Last I’m doing is turkey baster or manually pointing a powerhead occasionally.

 

[Vivid Creative Aquatics]

This is my current Biocube 16 aquascape. I can’t change it—it’s glued down and my beginner mistakes are locked in, haha. I’ve got the nozzle pointed slightly down and to the left, creating a circular, one direction flow around the tank. I’ve ended up with two dead spots- one in the dead center of the tank (this one is ‘less’ dead but stuff still ends up there), and one in the back left corner (visible in the second photo). My snails and shrimp do typically get to it, but it’s not a great thing to have happen, right?

I’m looking for suggestions on what might be a better direction to point my nozzle, or other ways I might remedy the situation.

Thanks for your help!

You might consider adding a Random Flow Generator (RFG) Nozzle to this tank - with an adequate return pump you could easily flow this entire tank

Here's a video from a few years ago, where we did just that with a 32-gallon Biocube

We have a few different options that would work here, including a single 1/2in RFG or a dual 1/4in RG flow kit. You can find those options here:

BioCube Compatible | Vivid Creative Aquatics

vividcreativeaquatics.com

The dual 1/4in might be the best option in your case, given the rockwork - you would be able to point on to the left an the other to the right

 

[Lavey29]

Is this for oxygen? With the AIO unit, I have a little bit of a waterfall in the back that I think is creating gas exchange, and I also have macroalgae in the tank. Would I still need a surface ripple in that case?

Yes for gas exchange particularly overnight. You need good surface ripple in a reef tank.

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

I ended up buying the IM Spinstream nozzle, but if that doesn’t make us happy, I’m definitely gonna check out the product you suggested, @Vivid Creative Aquatics ! And thank you for always helping out on my posts @Lavey29