flow for a 55 gallon

a.browning · 07/06/2010, 10:08 PM

I've seen some sources say 10x the tank volume turnover rate per hour. I have a 55 gallon tank with a mag 5 pump, which says it does 500 gph before head loss. How much total flow per hour would be optimal for the average reef? I was looking at koralia 1's. They're on sale at a petsmart for $20, clearly a good deal. If I bought a couple of those, would that be enough flow if I placed one at each end of the tank? Thanks so much for your help!

KAW750SS · 07/06/2010, 10:36 PM

To me 10x the turn over rate is not good. I had a 65 gallon tank and i actually think i was right at 44x but it was a tough tank to turn over IMO.
One thing you should NOT rely on is your return pump to give you flow.
I have two karalia 2s in my 40 gallon breeder. I would probably switch out on of those for a koralia 3 if I could.
also depends on what you plan on doing with the tank as well. Are you planning on keeping SPS? they like lots of water flow.

tzhanks · 07/06/2010, 10:51 PM

If you are keeping lps and softies I would go with K3s if sps K4s

mike_cmu04 · 07/06/2010, 10:53 PM

Just get the k4's or you will just want to upgrade later.

a.browning · 07/06/2010, 11:50 PM

Would I really need 2400 gph plus the sump return though? I'm just starting the hobby, so I won't have any complicated corals for a while. I'm thinking K3's would be the best, one on each end. Those K1's are hard to pass up at $20 each but I'm guessing I wouldnt have much use for such low flow.

rayn · 07/07/2010, 05:02 AM

My 55 is running two k3 at each end and different heights. Then I have my Rio 2100 return pump.

a.browning · 07/08/2010, 03:29 PM

I was thinking of a K2 and a K3, or 2 K3's. One at each end. Which combo, if any, would be better? I'm looking to keep soft corals and some easier LPS for now.

shifty51008 · 07/08/2010, 03:36 PM

IMO go with the 2-k3's

a.browning · 07/08/2010, 10:07 PM

Okay, thanks for the advice. I'll probably go with the 2 K3's then.

Ethan_W · 07/08/2010, 11:17 PM

refer to your other thread. dont buy the old K3s. but the new koralia evolutions. SO MUCH BETTER... and cheaper

07/06/2010, 10:08 PM	#1
a.browning Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 975	flow for a 55 gallon I've seen some sources say 10x the tank volume turnover rate per hour. I have a 55 gallon tank with a mag 5 pump, which says it does 500 gph before head loss. How much total flow per hour would be optimal for the average reef? I was looking at koralia 1's. They're on sale at a petsmart for $20, clearly a good deal. If I bought a couple of those, would that be enough flow if I placed one at each end of the tank? Thanks so much for your help!

07/07/2010, 05:02 AM	#6
rayn Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Pekin, Il Posts: 2,864	My 55 is running two k3 at each end and different heights. Then I have my Rio 2100 return pump. __________________ Currently changing, stay tuned for new details...

07/08/2010, 11:17 PM	#10
Ethan_W Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 373	refer to your other thread. dont buy the old K3s. but the new koralia evolutions. SO MUCH BETTER... and cheaper __________________ 29g mixed reef - Filtration: modded AC70 refugium/AquaticLife Mini Skimmer 115 Lighting:4x24" T5HO ATI bulbs Flow: Koralia Evolution 750 Ammonia:0 Nitrite:0 Nitrate:>5 pH:8.1 SG:1.026 Livestock: 2 true perc clowns, firefish, scooter blenny, yellow coris wrasse, harlequin shrimp, acan, brain, frogspawn, Z's and P's, few SPS, etc

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07/06/2010, 10:36 PM	#2
KAW750SS Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Atlanta Posts: 56	To me 10x the turn over rate is not good. I had a 65 gallon tank and i actually think i was right at 44x but it was a tough tank to turn over IMO. One thing you should NOT rely on is your return pump to give you flow. I have two karalia 2s in my 40 gallon breeder. I would probably switch out on of those for a koralia 3 if I could. also depends on what you plan on doing with the tank as well. Are you planning on keeping SPS? they like lots of water flow.

07/06/2010, 10:51 PM	#3
tzhanks Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 69	If you are keeping lps and softies I would go with K3s if sps K4s

07/06/2010, 10:53 PM	#4
mike_cmu04 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Shepherd, Mi Posts: 2,348	Just get the k4's or you will just want to upgrade later.

07/06/2010, 11:50 PM	#5
a.browning Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 975	Would I really need 2400 gph plus the sump return though? I'm just starting the hobby, so I won't have any complicated corals for a while. I'm thinking K3's would be the best, one on each end. Those K1's are hard to pass up at $20 each but I'm guessing I wouldnt have much use for such low flow.

07/08/2010, 03:29 PM	#7
a.browning Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 975	I was thinking of a K2 and a K3, or 2 K3's. One at each end. Which combo, if any, would be better? I'm looking to keep soft corals and some easier LPS for now.

07/08/2010, 03:36 PM	#8
shifty51008 12-5 Chiefs record Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 10,134	IMO go with the 2-k3's

07/08/2010, 10:07 PM	#9
a.browning Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 975	Okay, thanks for the advice. I'll probably go with the 2 K3's then.