Hydor Flo? Good or Bad

So i upgraded my Biocube 29s return pump to a Rio H6 and put a hydor flo on the nozzle. I like the motion it gives the water but my question is, does it provide enough surface agitation? I had the regular nozzle pointed up at the surface 24/7 to give good ripples. I dont think i am planning on getting a skimmer any time soon, although its not out of the question.
So without having a skimmer, should i be using the hydor flo or should i switch back to the original nozzle and keep it aimed at the surface?

 

I'd try it out for a few more days. You may notice a positive change in coral or maybe even less detritus build up since it's being blown around so well.

If you need some surface agitation, then remove it.

 

hey crusty - the more spread water movement through the hydor flow is a good thing IME
But watch the surface of your water for a film/ scum build up, protiens get trapped by the surface tension and eventually you can get a white oil slick forming, which can create problems with gas exchange, not allowing all the C02 to escape or allow oxygen to get in

so provided water surface stays clear, I would stick with the hydor flow

Steve

 

I used it, but it just restircts the flow so much it wasnt worth it. You can get better flow with other alternatives. It may be good in the 6 or 12 gallon cubes, but the 29 is just too large IMO for the Hydor Flo.

 

i think ill just keep it on and maybe get a Koralia nano or something and aim it at the surface?

 

I have the same white slick forming at the surface, but does a good water flow realy helps disintegrate it. please advise. Thanks.
sjabsheh

 

if you direct flow at the surface you will break up that film. ideally though, some sort of overflow is best so you can get it off the surface so your filtration can pick it up. if you dont have that ability, you still need to keep it broken up so there is good gax exchange. the rippling of the water provides much mroe surface area for the gas exchange

 

Thankyou for your help. I will try that . Though i had my aquarium over 2 yrs with no white slick and it just showed up suddenly. Any thoughts on why it happens? Thx.
sjabsheh

 

Change in food used, food cooked in the house may have released something, and maybe even something happened in the tank that caused it.