Best way to circulate behind rocks

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ironbird456

While I am going through this tank crash situation the one thing I think needs to change in my tank is circulation behind the rocks. Now is the best time to do this I think. Anyone have any suggestions on how to improve circulation back there? I have pictures of my 72 gallon bow on the tank tour thread if you need to look. I have no way to create circulation from the sides. Has anyone ever tried to attach a hose to your maxijet and run it behind the rocks? Seems to me like this would decrease the output flow, but would increase circulation behind the rocks. Any opinion is appreciated. Thanks.
 
I setup a Spray-bar out of PVC, hooked up to a Mag 9.5 to circulate behind my rocks. Seems to work well. Adds a little excess heat due to the choice of pump and the resistance of having a closed-end tubing.

Most people leave it up the little-creatures of the tank (blue-legged hermits, snails, etc) to stir up the back of the tank.
 
I had that problem, too, food was n't getting eaten and it was just sitting back there creating nitrates(was at 20), so I got a small Rio 800,(you could even get 2 if you want, more the marrier), stuck it on the side of my tank in the back, and faced it kind of down and a little so it was hitting the glass and a lot hitting the back rocks. I also bought 20 more small hermits, and 5 different kind of snails for doing various jobs like reaching small holes in the rockwork, cleaning the glass, etc... Within a week and a 15g water change, my nitrates dropped to zero.
 
How are Rio's known to nuke tanks? Do they short easliy?

Personally that just means you don't have enough flow. In my situation, I was using a AquaClear (HUGE pump but dont remember the size) but the sand bed would constantly have diatoms and algae growing on it. Just switch over to a MJ1200 with the mod and can't be more happier! NOTHING sits on the sand anywhere including behind rocks, corals, dead areas in the tank. I now have the flow I need to aerate the surface as well. The 72 BF is also a 48" tank so I would suggest doing so without spending huge amounts and adding any additonal close loops, too much extra heat, wiring, and etc.
 
That's Just great :evil: , when I was getting it I was choosing between a MaxiJet or the Rio, he said the Rio was much better (don't forget more expensive)
So I got it. Now after what I've heard from ya'll, I'm taking it out, and when I go to the fish store today, I'm getting a MaxiJet, what do ya think.
 
Most people will agree with Matt. Rios definitely provide great water flow, but they are problematic, and that's speaking from experience also. At this point, the only thing I use my Rios for is to circulate fresh salt water.
 
from what Marc and others have said it seems to be the larger rios that actually nuke tanks but the smaller ones are notorious for just stopping. That being said, between my two tanks I use maybe 5 800s/600s and have never had any problems besides them being a bit noisy (knock on wood).
 
Ben,
Some of 'em seem to be worse than others, but all of the Rio's have nuked tanks before... I highly recommend replacing 'em with more reliable pumps...

(And yeah, I was one of those people who had a few old trustworthy Rio's in my system for years while telling others to get rid of the things, I finally removed the last Rio from my system just a few months ago.)
 
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