How much circulation is right for a 55G

hardin4019 · 02/05/2011, 06:29 PM

Hey guys/gals, looking for some opinions. What size circulation pump do you have/think is right for a 55 gallon tank?

Reason I ask, I got 2x 1300 GPH pumps from Ebay that came in last night. I used one in my mix 5G bucket for mixing and heating my water for my water change tonight (probably keep it set aside for that). Then during the water change I put the second one in my tank. It can make the water in a bucket swirl, and the on in my DT kicked up all kinds of stuff off the bottom of the tank (bare bottom right now because I am near the end of treating for Ich). There was a small clump of chaeto (no fuge) to help buffer the water from the bad compounds, and it basically desintegrated. The remaining chaeto (after removing the biggest clump I could get a hold of) is being caught in the overflow prefilter and around the circulation pump.

Harry_Y · 02/05/2011, 06:33 PM

It really depends on what is in the tank. I try to run
as much as I can without getting the corals pulling in.

You really need to find the sweet spot for your tank by experimenting

hardin4019 · 02/05/2011, 06:37 PM

Right now, just fish and some chaeto. It is a FOWLR for the time being, but once I get the rock and crushed coral (and cleaner shrimp) back in, I would like to see if I can stabilize the system enough to put in some corals and mushrooms.

sasharotty · 02/05/2011, 07:23 PM

Ditch the cc, go with an aragonite sand.

Tank2379 · 02/05/2011, 07:34 PM

Really all depends on what you got with fish only you really done need heavy flow one pump will be fine.

hardin4019 · 02/05/2011, 07:42 PM

Its not so much of a question of 1 or 2, because I am keeping 1 out for mixing new SW. The one in the tank just spooked me a little when it basically made the tank look like a tornado was going through picking stuff up. The pump grill is full of chaeto bits right now lol. The rest of the chaeto has made its way into the prefilter so I can clean it out.

Tank2379 · 02/05/2011, 07:49 PM

Yeah just let it do it's thing until your tank is comfortable with the flow

hardin4019 · 02/05/2011, 07:52 PM

I gave it a thought and realized I could just go look at marine depot and see what the pumps there are rated for. There is a Tunze 6065 rated at 1700 GPH, and suggested for tanks 66-211G, so my 1300 GPH pump should be just fine for my 55. THe fish don't seem to mind it at all now that the water has cleared.

02/05/2011, 06:29 PM	#1
hardin4019 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Mt Jewett, PA Posts: 228	How much circulation is right for a 55G Hey guys/gals, looking for some opinions. What size circulation pump do you have/think is right for a 55 gallon tank? Reason I ask, I got 2x 1300 GPH pumps from Ebay that came in last night. I used one in my mix 5G bucket for mixing and heating my water for my water change tonight (probably keep it set aside for that). Then during the water change I put the second one in my tank. It can make the water in a bucket swirl, and the on in my DT kicked up all kinds of stuff off the bottom of the tank (bare bottom right now because I am near the end of treating for Ich). There was a small clump of chaeto (no fuge) to help buffer the water from the bad compounds, and it basically desintegrated. The remaining chaeto (after removing the biggest clump I could get a hold of) is being caught in the overflow prefilter and around the circulation pump. __________________ -Shawn If I can DIY cheaper than buying it and get the same results... DIY it is. Current Tank Info: Tankless for more than a year and ready to get the next one!

02/05/2011, 06:37 PM	#3
hardin4019 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Mt Jewett, PA Posts: 228	Right now, just fish and some chaeto. It is a FOWLR for the time being, but once I get the rock and crushed coral (and cleaner shrimp) back in, I would like to see if I can stabilize the system enough to put in some corals and mushrooms. __________________ -Shawn If I can DIY cheaper than buying it and get the same results... DIY it is. Current Tank Info: Tankless for more than a year and ready to get the next one!

02/05/2011, 07:23 PM	#4
sasharotty Moved on to my couch Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: se michigan Posts: 1,065	Ditch the cc, go with an aragonite sand. __________________ Go big or go home!!!! Current Tank Info: Just loungin

02/05/2011, 07:34 PM	#5
Tank2379 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chicago(Logan Square/Humbolt Park) Posts: 4,204	Really all depends on what you got with fish only you really done need heavy flow one pump will be fine. __________________ 90G- Powered By Tek T-5 8 bulb 1X MP10wES,1 MP40wes, Waveline DC4000, Octopus Skimmer NW150, Apex lite, Eshopps RS200 sump 80G Frag system- Powered by 2X MH Pendants with 250W 20K Radiums, DIY S

02/05/2011, 07:42 PM	#6
hardin4019 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Mt Jewett, PA Posts: 228	Its not so much of a question of 1 or 2, because I am keeping 1 out for mixing new SW. The one in the tank just spooked me a little when it basically made the tank look like a tornado was going through picking stuff up. The pump grill is full of chaeto bits right now lol. The rest of the chaeto has made its way into the prefilter so I can clean it out. __________________ -Shawn If I can DIY cheaper than buying it and get the same results... DIY it is. Current Tank Info: Tankless for more than a year and ready to get the next one!

02/05/2011, 06:33 PM	#2
Harry_Y Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: NY Posts: 454	It really depends on what is in the tank. I try to run as much as I can without getting the corals pulling in. You really need to find the sweet spot for your tank by experimenting

02/05/2011, 07:49 PM	#7
Tank2379 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chicago(Logan Square/Humbolt Park) Posts: 4,204	Yeah just let it do it's thing until your tank is comfortable with the flow __________________ 90G- Powered By Tek T-5 8 bulb 1X MP10wES,1 MP40wes, Waveline DC4000, Octopus Skimmer NW150, Apex lite, Eshopps RS200 sump 80G Frag system- Powered by 2X MH Pendants with 250W 20K Radiums, DIY S

02/05/2011, 07:52 PM	#8
hardin4019 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Mt Jewett, PA Posts: 228	I gave it a thought and realized I could just go look at marine depot and see what the pumps there are rated for. There is a Tunze 6065 rated at 1700 GPH, and suggested for tanks 66-211G, so my 1300 GPH pump should be just fine for my 55. THe fish don't seem to mind it at all now that the water has cleared. __________________ -Shawn If I can DIY cheaper than buying it and get the same results... DIY it is. Current Tank Info: Tankless for more than a year and ready to get the next one!

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