Simple Flow Question

dileggi · 01/17/2008, 09:00 AM

Hey guys, my tank info and stocking is all listed below. When I calculated my total flow, I took the gph of my return sump and the ghp of my power head and added them together. With that in mind, I came up with a total flow of 716 for my 29g.

My question is, did I calculate my flow wrong? Someone at my LFS stated not to include my sump return in the amount of flow and based on that, my flow is technically just what my power head is giving off.

This doesn't sound right to me because I'm assuming flow is flow. The flow from the return of my sump has a swivel to it, so I can direct that flow just as I can my power head.

With all this being said, and looking at what I currently have, should I still add more flow? If so, another Koralia 1? Or maybe a Koralia Nano? I'm trying to avoid any sandstorms as well as any unecessary eye sores of more equipment hanging around that isn't really needed.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

thanks in advance!

Shooter7 · 01/17/2008, 09:13 AM

I include the sump return flow in my calc of overall flow. Did you happen to ask this person, if the return pump is causing flow in my display, why wouldn't I count it? However, you do need to calculate the head loss on your return pump so you are getting an acurate number of gph, because it won't be what the pump is rated at once you do that.

kau_cinta_ku · 01/17/2008, 09:14 AM

yes you add the return pump - the head loss and all the PH gph and devide that with the size of your tank to get your turnover rate. and depending on what you want to keep it can range from 15x - 100x or more. but 15x would be the lowest I would go. I have 46x in my 75 gal.

dileggi · 01/17/2008, 09:20 AM

So, with all this mind, I'm sitting at close to 20, but slightly under. Maybe I should add more to be on the safe side?

As for head loss, can someone explain that a little better. I'm not sure exactly what that is.

an411 · 01/17/2008, 09:21 AM

Now head loss is all the piping that you are using running vertical and horizontal

dileggi · 01/17/2008, 09:24 AM

OH, Ok, thanks an411. I have no piping at all. So, does that mean I have no head loss? From my pump to sump return is all but 7 inches at max.

an411 · 01/17/2008, 09:32 AM

actually dileggi I was asking as I am not sure what head loss consists of I forgot to add the question mark. lol I know its pipe of tubing from the return pump. NOt sure if it included horizontal as well as vertical piping. I think that head loss is very minimal for you then

dileggi · 01/17/2008, 09:34 AM

LOL! Not a biggie an411! That was good. Hopefully, someone will tell us both!

Shooter7 · 01/17/2008, 09:37 AM

Go to the "Home" page for RC and scroll down. On the left hand side there is a calculator for head loss. It will be self-explanatory from there.

dileggi · 01/17/2008, 09:39 AM

Great....thanks Dave

an411 · 01/17/2008, 10:01 AM

dileggi guess there is more to be factored in then just horizontal and vertical pipe lol

dileggi · 01/17/2008, 12:55 PM

I think you're right an411! How come nothing is ever just easy? LOL!

zotzer · 01/17/2008, 02:11 PM

You have 7K gph in a 29 gallon tank? That would be a typhoon!
Tracy

dileggi · 01/17/2008, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by zotzer
You have 7K gph in a 29 gallon tank? That would be a typhoon!
Tracy

No, did I say 7K? I didn't scroll back to read, but if I did, it was a typo for sure. I have 716 as my flow rate in a 29g...about 24-25%

01/17/2008, 09:00 AM	#1
dileggi Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: S. Philly PA Posts: 1,171	Simple Flow Question Hey guys, my tank info and stocking is all listed below. When I calculated my total flow, I took the gph of my return sump and the ghp of my power head and added them together. With that in mind, I came up with a total flow of 716 for my 29g. My question is, did I calculate my flow wrong? Someone at my LFS stated not to include my sump return in the amount of flow and based on that, my flow is technically just what my power head is giving off. This doesn't sound right to me because I'm assuming flow is flow. The flow from the return of my sump has a swivel to it, so I can direct that flow just as I can my power head. With all this being said, and looking at what I currently have, should I still add more flow? If so, another Koralia 1? Or maybe a Koralia Nano? I'm trying to avoid any sandstorms as well as any unecessary eye sores of more equipment hanging around that isn't really needed. Any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks in advance! __________________ Eric "The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled, was convincing the world he didn't exist." - Usual Suspects Current Tank Info: 90g w/30g sump; skimmer; 2x175w MH & 2x super white actinic...3g w/.5g fuge 1x150w MH Viper

01/17/2008, 09:13 AM	#2
Shooter7 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tolono, IL Posts: 6,754	I include the sump return flow in my calc of overall flow. Did you happen to ask this person, if the return pump is causing flow in my display, why wouldn't I count it? However, you do need to calculate the head loss on your return pump so you are getting an acurate number of gph, because it won't be what the pump is rated at once you do that. __________________ Dave Current Tank Info: 10 years salty - standard 29g reef - moved from 120 gal reef, 2x250w Reeflux 10k's on ARO electronics and VHO super actinics on Icecap ballast, 2xTunze 6060, MSX 200 skimmer, GEO 612 Ca reactor, mag 12 return

01/17/2008, 09:20 AM	#4
dileggi Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: S. Philly PA Posts: 1,171	So, with all this mind, I'm sitting at close to 20, but slightly under. Maybe I should add more to be on the safe side? As for head loss, can someone explain that a little better. I'm not sure exactly what that is. __________________ Eric "The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled, was convincing the world he didn't exist." - Usual Suspects Current Tank Info: 90g w/30g sump; skimmer; 2x175w MH & 2x super white actinic...3g w/.5g fuge 1x150w MH Viper

01/17/2008, 09:24 AM	#6
dileggi Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: S. Philly PA Posts: 1,171	OH, Ok, thanks an411. I have no piping at all. So, does that mean I have no head loss? From my pump to sump return is all but 7 inches at max. __________________ Eric "The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled, was convincing the world he didn't exist." - Usual Suspects Current Tank Info: 90g w/30g sump; skimmer; 2x175w MH & 2x super white actinic...3g w/.5g fuge 1x150w MH Viper

01/17/2008, 09:34 AM	#8
dileggi Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: S. Philly PA Posts: 1,171	LOL! Not a biggie an411! That was good. Hopefully, someone will tell us both! __________________ Eric "The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled, was convincing the world he didn't exist." - Usual Suspects Current Tank Info: 90g w/30g sump; skimmer; 2x175w MH & 2x super white actinic...3g w/.5g fuge 1x150w MH Viper

01/17/2008, 09:14 AM	#3
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	yes you add the return pump - the head loss and all the PH gph and devide that with the size of your tank to get your turnover rate. and depending on what you want to keep it can range from 15x - 100x or more. but 15x would be the lowest I would go. I have 46x in my 75 gal.

01/17/2008, 09:21 AM	#5
an411 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Derby CT Posts: 2,861	Now head loss is all the piping that you are using running vertical and horizontal

01/17/2008, 09:32 AM	#7
an411 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Derby CT Posts: 2,861	actually dileggi I was asking as I am not sure what head loss consists of I forgot to add the question mark. lol I know its pipe of tubing from the return pump. NOt sure if it included horizontal as well as vertical piping. I think that head loss is very minimal for you then

01/17/2008, 09:37 AM	#9
Shooter7 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tolono, IL Posts: 6,754	Go to the "Home" page for RC and scroll down. On the left hand side there is a calculator for head loss. It will be self-explanatory from there. __________________ Dave Current Tank Info: 10 years salty - standard 29g reef - moved from 120 gal reef, 2x250w Reeflux 10k's on ARO electronics and VHO super actinics on Icecap ballast, 2xTunze 6060, MSX 200 skimmer, GEO 612 Ca reactor, mag 12 return

01/17/2008, 09:39 AM	#10
dileggi Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: S. Philly PA Posts: 1,171	Great....thanks Dave __________________ Eric "The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled, was convincing the world he didn't exist." - Usual Suspects Current Tank Info: 90g w/30g sump; skimmer; 2x175w MH & 2x super white actinic...3g w/.5g fuge 1x150w MH Viper

01/17/2008, 10:01 AM	#11
an411 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Derby CT Posts: 2,861	dileggi guess there is more to be factored in then just horizontal and vertical pipe lol

01/17/2008, 12:55 PM	#12
dileggi Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: S. Philly PA Posts: 1,171	I think you're right an411! How come nothing is ever just easy? LOL! __________________ Eric "The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled, was convincing the world he didn't exist." - Usual Suspects Current Tank Info: 90g w/30g sump; skimmer; 2x175w MH & 2x super white actinic...3g w/.5g fuge 1x150w MH Viper

01/17/2008, 02:11 PM	#13
zotzer Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 346	You have 7K gph in a 29 gallon tank? That would be a typhoon! Tracy