Measuring your flow and its path

For flow rate and to measure where i put stuff i find out using this method;

A short ribbon gives me a good sense of the flow




A long ribbon gives me the direction and path of the flow.





Each time you must turn your stick to see which current is predominent or your ribbon will stay in its original position and give you fasle reading. A turn of the stick forces the ribbon to realine itself to the new and actual current and give you accurate reading. Long ribbon also shows you also where the different currents and flow meet.



So to position a fragile or demanding coral or invert do this at different heights , because it changes drastically because of obstical, namely your rockwork and aquascape, if you didn't think your scape matters with your flow think again. Dead spots can be created because of bad pump positioning, or aquascape. You may need 4 pumps if you have them in the wrong place, while you could get away with 3 or even 2 if they're place in a good and studied fashion, = less money spent on powerheads = less power spent = more money for fish etc.... making sense.




It a piece of christmass ribbon on a stick just saying






From behind a rock this came out pretty strong




This place was for calm waters corals , when the ribbon yields and sway and gives, mild currents. Straight ribbons unyielding very strong currents. Waving ribbons, turbulent and meeting currents, you don't want a bubble coral there.





Dont ever forget the back chanels they can be surprisingly strong



A waving spot, very harsh




My engeneer crewman.

 

Great idea. I'll have to give this a try.

 

I like it! Simple, cheap and effective!!

 

Great idea.

 

kudos to you Mud and thx for sharing! Simple and cheap, rarities in this hobby

 

Great tip. I always used some ground up flake food but I like your idea better.

 

Thanks guys; i've saved myself 2 powerheads with that method. And my local club uses this method and some member are putting some of their nice expensive Tunze and Eco's for sales now that they've found the correct placement for their powerheads,thanks to economy of the right placement, its perfectly logical. Find the dead spot play with your pumps till you get them all and save on pumps and electric bill, your choice. Buy one or 2 pumps at a time and not 5. Lots of cords to managed too, powerbars. I saved with a stick and a string. Make sense doesn't ,lol. Some of the guys found out how much their aquascape mattered then . And even start modifications, based on waterflows to avoid backflows and dead spots. Something i've learned a few years back and that why i do my aquascape before and dry lol.