Increasing return pump GPH vs. adding pump for flow???

duganderson · 10/19/2016, 07:21 AM

I have a basic but hopefully interesting question. It seems like most folks increase flow in their aquarium by adding supplemental pumps, wave makers, etc. Isn't it potentially of more value to increase the flow by increasing the GPM of the return pump so the overflow is more likely to suck junk into the mechanical filter more easily.

I have two specific questions...

1. How many gpm do I want on my return pump on a 34 g. red sea cube?

2. How often should I change my filter floss to get nutrients out of the water column before they break down too much?

Thank you in advance! Doug

scooter31707 · 10/19/2016, 09:17 AM

I'm not the expert by no means, but my understanding is that you want about 3-5x turnover going through your sump to actually get all the junk if you have an fuge and a skimmer. Inside the aquarium turnover rate will be depended if you have any corals and what type and also to keep detritus moving around until it get into the overflows. Filter floss will probably need to be changed about 5-7 days, IMO, depending on how much you feed, etc.

scar79 · 10/19/2016, 09:41 AM

Aim for 3-5x turnover through sump (after calculating head loss on your return pump). Additional flow through the sump will only serve to increase noise levels.

The purpose of internal flow is to keep your corals moving randomly and to decrease or eliminate dead spots which keeps detritus in suspension (trust me, at 3-5x turnover, your filter will get it as long as it stays in suspension). Pushing 3400gph through a single nozzle will not be nearly as effective as four powerheads pushing 1/4 as much flow. Also a purpose built prop-style powerhead is going to push the water much more evenly and broadly versus a return jet which will be really intense in a narrow stream.

Filter floss would ideally be changed daily in a perfect world, but as little as weekly should be okay. It'll depend on how much debris they're trapping. Once it's there, it'll start to break down and you'll see nitrates climb. For this reason, I almost always recommend using a larger skimmer in place of socks or floss because it removes detritus from the water column altogether without releasing anything back into the water. Socks and floss are best for polishing the water.

duganderson · 10/19/2016, 10:00 AM

Thank you for the detailed and informative responses. Sincerely, Doug

mcgyvr · 10/19/2016, 10:26 AM

IMO..
5-10X through sump (return pump)..
30-100X total flow (powerheads + return)

oh and #2 question is daily or more.. (aka they break down fast and you can't change it quick enough).. Many don't recommend any mechanical filtration for that exact reason.. (and the poop,etc.. is good coral food)

Flaring Afro · 10/19/2016, 12:29 PM

I have 2 sump pumps pushing 1,000 gph in my 40 breeder right now. It worked fine for FOWLR and is completely silent with the pumps I use and the beananimal overflow. You just have to point the outlets in the right directions, and definitely have more than one. That said, I'm adding 2 powerheads for my 125 upgrade because of efficiency for the flow required for such a large tank.

Also, I've heard people talk about too much gph through the sump for a skimmer, but you could channel the water so not all of it passes through the skimmer chamber.

10/19/2016, 07:21 AM	#1
duganderson Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 569	Increasing return pump GPH vs. adding pump for flow??? I have a basic but hopefully interesting question. It seems like most folks increase flow in their aquarium by adding supplemental pumps, wave makers, etc. Isn't it potentially of more value to increase the flow by increasing the GPM of the return pump so the overflow is more likely to suck junk into the mechanical filter more easily. I have two specific questions... 1. How many gpm do I want on my return pump on a 34 g. red sea cube? 2. How often should I change my filter floss to get nutrients out of the water column before they break down too much? Thank you in advance! Doug

10/19/2016, 10:26 AM	#5
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	IMO.. 5-10X through sump (return pump).. 30-100X total flow (powerheads + return) oh and #2 question is daily or more.. (aka they break down fast and you can't change it quick enough).. Many don't recommend any mechanical filtration for that exact reason.. (and the poop,etc.. is good coral food) __________________ Who me?

10/19/2016, 09:17 AM	#2
scooter31707 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 4,971	I'm not the expert by no means, but my understanding is that you want about 3-5x turnover going through your sump to actually get all the junk if you have an fuge and a skimmer. Inside the aquarium turnover rate will be depended if you have any corals and what type and also to keep detritus moving around until it get into the overflows. Filter floss will probably need to be changed about 5-7 days, IMO, depending on how much you feed, etc.

10/19/2016, 09:41 AM	#3
scar79 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Southwestern CT Posts: 534	Aim for 3-5x turnover through sump (after calculating head loss on your return pump). Additional flow through the sump will only serve to increase noise levels. The purpose of internal flow is to keep your corals moving randomly and to decrease or eliminate dead spots which keeps detritus in suspension (trust me, at 3-5x turnover, your filter will get it as long as it stays in suspension). Pushing 3400gph through a single nozzle will not be nearly as effective as four powerheads pushing 1/4 as much flow. Also a purpose built prop-style powerhead is going to push the water much more evenly and broadly versus a return jet which will be really intense in a narrow stream. Filter floss would ideally be changed daily in a perfect world, but as little as weekly should be okay. It'll depend on how much debris they're trapping. Once it's there, it'll start to break down and you'll see nitrates climb. For this reason, I almost always recommend using a larger skimmer in place of socks or floss because it removes detritus from the water column altogether without releasing anything back into the water. Socks and floss are best for polishing the water.

10/19/2016, 10:00 AM	#4
duganderson Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 569	Thank you for the detailed and informative responses. Sincerely, Doug

10/19/2016, 12:29 PM	#6
Flaring Afro Puffer Geek Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 325	I have 2 sump pumps pushing 1,000 gph in my 40 breeder right now. It worked fine for FOWLR and is completely silent with the pumps I use and the beananimal overflow. You just have to point the outlets in the right directions, and definitely have more than one. That said, I'm adding 2 powerheads for my 125 upgrade because of efficiency for the flow required for such a large tank. Also, I've heard people talk about too much gph through the sump for a skimmer, but you could channel the water so not all of it passes through the skimmer chamber.