I have a split return line with two 3/4" loc line lengths slightly below the surface on my 90 gal tank. I swapped out 3" flare tips on loc line extensions with the VCA Random Flow Generator nozzles. These things are a little pricey, but work great at what they're supposed to do: create random flow, and lots of it (see the link at the end of post).
My issue is this: if the nozzle is too close to the surface, it frequently draws a little air vortex/tiny whirlpool at the collar near its base, almost like a bypass on jet engine, and creates micro bubbles and a slurping noise. To prevent this, I have to keep the nozzle further below the surface than I'd like, creating a back siphon hazard that could overflow my 20 gal sump. I have Fischer wye check valves on both return lines which used to be the redundancy against back siphoning. In this configuration they end up primary, and a failure waiting to happen.
Is anyone else using the VCA RFGs having similar issues? Any recommendations? I don't want to push the nozzle any deeper. It's not practical to fit a bigger sump to accommodate the nozzle. I've thought about using some epoxy putty to plug the top of the nozzle bypass to disturb the Otherwise I think I'm just back to the flared nozzle. Sorry, I know pictures would be good, but can't post any right now.
Thanks for any input.
@ Vivid Creative Aquatics, your insight especially valuable!
(https://vividcreativeaquatics.com/product-spotlight/random-flow-generator/)
My issue is this: if the nozzle is too close to the surface, it frequently draws a little air vortex/tiny whirlpool at the collar near its base, almost like a bypass on jet engine, and creates micro bubbles and a slurping noise. To prevent this, I have to keep the nozzle further below the surface than I'd like, creating a back siphon hazard that could overflow my 20 gal sump. I have Fischer wye check valves on both return lines which used to be the redundancy against back siphoning. In this configuration they end up primary, and a failure waiting to happen.
Is anyone else using the VCA RFGs having similar issues? Any recommendations? I don't want to push the nozzle any deeper. It's not practical to fit a bigger sump to accommodate the nozzle. I've thought about using some epoxy putty to plug the top of the nozzle bypass to disturb the Otherwise I think I'm just back to the flared nozzle. Sorry, I know pictures would be good, but can't post any right now.
Thanks for any input.
@ Vivid Creative Aquatics, your insight especially valuable!
(https://vividcreativeaquatics.com/product-spotlight/random-flow-generator/)