Another flow question

chvojka · 01/06/2013, 07:58 PM

I am in the process of setting up my first reef tank which is a 55gal with 20gal fuge. I am still not totally clear on the whole 10X turnover flow thing. Is it 10X through the fuge or 10X total tank circulation? I plan on a 500 GPH pump on the fuge and then should I go with 2 250 GPH powerheads in the tank? Or is it 10X split between all pumps? I have been researching here and have found people who have as much as 68X turnover between all pumps. I'm leaning towards the above that I have which would be 20X GPH total circulation being sufficient. Would that be correct?

Fizz71 · 01/07/2013, 08:28 AM

Turnover is the total GPH rating of everything in your DT divided by your DT's size--factoring in any friction loss for return pumps from the sump or closed loops.

For example I have a 1440GPH return pump but push up 12 feet and over 10 feet so I really only get about 600GPH out of it. I also have a single 3250GPH power head for a total of 3850GPH flow in my DT which is 240g so I'm considered to have a 16X turnover. This is considered low for a reef, however because I have it set up to produce a circular current I get more bang for my 16X buck. I tried adding a second 3250GPH pump which would have hit my initial goal of 30X but I couldn't keep the sand down...as it stands now I can't keep sand at one end.

I also have a powerhead in my 100g sump and a second powerhead on a carbon reactor but I don't count it for turnover.

There is no magic number for turnover but I'd say 30X to 100X is typical for a reef, the more SPS dominated the higher the number...but like I said...there is no magic number.

The goal is no dead-spots and appropriate flow for the appropriate coral..some like heavy current, some like very little current.

chvojka · 01/07/2013, 10:44 AM

That makes sense. Thanks!

kissman · 01/07/2013, 11:01 AM

In my 55g I run 2 Hydor Koralia 4's on there Wavemaker Controller 2. I have a Mag Drive 3 for return. The return rate of your sump should be about the same as the skimmer GPH

01/06/2013, 07:58 PM	#1
chvojka Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 86	Another flow question I am in the process of setting up my first reef tank which is a 55gal with 20gal fuge. I am still not totally clear on the whole 10X turnover flow thing. Is it 10X through the fuge or 10X total tank circulation? I plan on a 500 GPH pump on the fuge and then should I go with 2 250 GPH powerheads in the tank? Or is it 10X split between all pumps? I have been researching here and have found people who have as much as 68X turnover between all pumps. I'm leaning towards the above that I have which would be 20X GPH total circulation being sufficient. Would that be correct?

01/07/2013, 08:28 AM	#2
Fizz71 FragSwapper Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Lawn, PA Posts: 5,800	Turnover is the total GPH rating of everything in your DT divided by your DT's size--factoring in any friction loss for return pumps from the sump or closed loops. For example I have a 1440GPH return pump but push up 12 feet and over 10 feet so I really only get about 600GPH out of it. I also have a single 3250GPH power head for a total of 3850GPH flow in my DT which is 240g so I'm considered to have a 16X turnover. This is considered low for a reef, however because I have it set up to produce a circular current I get more bang for my 16X buck. I tried adding a second 3250GPH pump which would have hit my initial goal of 30X but I couldn't keep the sand down...as it stands now I can't keep sand at one end. I also have a powerhead in my 100g sump and a second powerhead on a carbon reactor but I don't count it for turnover. There is no magic number for turnover but I'd say 30X to 100X is typical for a reef, the more SPS dominated the higher the number...but like I said...there is no magic number. The goal is no dead-spots and appropriate flow for the appropriate coral..some like heavy current, some like very little current. __________________ --Fizz Current Tank Info: Current system is 8x2x2 240g peninsula setup with a single "chamber" 100g sump in the basement with an RDSB. All corals are 100% home grown from frags of fellow reefers (low natural reef impact).

01/07/2013, 10:44 AM	#3
chvojka Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 86	That makes sense. Thanks!

01/07/2013, 11:01 AM	#4
kissman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Lynchburg, Va Posts: 2,963	In my 55g I run 2 Hydor Koralia 4's on there Wavemaker Controller 2. I have a Mag Drive 3 for return. The return rate of your sump should be about the same as the skimmer GPH