Trying to Understand Flow

RDuhb · 08/19/2012, 08:43 AM

I read that a reef tank's flow rate should be 40x its size. Is that a total of the return pump and the power heads? Or is it just the power heads? Thanks!

Misled · 08/19/2012, 08:48 AM

First, the flow rate is dependent on the inhabitants of the tank. I have seen tanks as high as 60 times turnover. It also depends on flow patters. What types of corals do you plan on keeping?

RDuhb · 08/19/2012, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Misled

First, the flow rate is dependent on the inhabitants of the tank. I have seen tanks as high as 60 times turnover. It also depends on flow patters. What types of corals do you plan on keeping?

I'm a newbie. I plan on mainly LPS to start.

Misled · 08/19/2012, 08:59 AM

IMO, somewhere between 20 and 30 times turnover should be fine. Be careful, too much flow directed at LPS can tear the tissue where it attachés to the skeleton. I don't count the return in my system as flow because I only run about 4 times turnover through my sump, so it's negligible anyway.

mfinn · 08/19/2012, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Misled

IMO, somewhere between 20 and 30 times turnover should be fine. Be careful, too much flow directed at LPS can tear the tissue where it attachés to the skeleton. I don't count the return in my system as flow because I only run about 4 times turnover through my sump, so it's negligible anyway.

+1

I have approx. 30x flow in my branching LPS tank, with about 3x flow through the sump.

cloak · 08/19/2012, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDuhb

I read that a reef tank's flow rate should be 40x its size. Is that a total of the return pump and the power heads? Or is it just the power heads? Thanks!

Here's a good article reguarding flow.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/4/beginner

thegrun · 08/19/2012, 09:53 AM

I agree with all the posts above, as too the original question of flow, yes the delivered flow from your return pump (flow from the return pump after discounting the head pressure flow loss) counts in your total tank flow numbers.

RDuhb · 08/19/2012, 09:56 AM

Thanks everyone! My tank is a 75 gallon. I planned on two Korlia 1400's. Sounds like those will work fine. I also plan on using a Trigger 36S sump with a Marineland NJ3000 return pump.

08/19/2012, 08:43 AM	#1
RDuhb Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 366	Trying to Understand Flow I read that a reef tank's flow rate should be 40x its size. Is that a total of the return pump and the power heads? Or is it just the power heads? Thanks! __________________ And I thought my remote control airplane hobby was expensive...silly me!!

08/19/2012, 08:48 AM	#2
Misled RC Mod Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa Posts: 11,440 Blog Entries: 11	First, the flow rate is dependent on the inhabitants of the tank. I have seen tanks as high as 60 times turnover. It also depends on flow patters. What types of corals do you plan on keeping? __________________ Jesse I'm not saying I'm Batman. I'm just saying nobody has ever seen me and Batman in a room together.

08/19/2012, 08:59 AM	#4
Misled RC Mod Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa Posts: 11,440 Blog Entries: 11	IMO, somewhere between 20 and 30 times turnover should be fine. Be careful, too much flow directed at LPS can tear the tissue where it attachés to the skeleton. I don't count the return in my system as flow because I only run about 4 times turnover through my sump, so it's negligible anyway. __________________ Jesse I'm not saying I'm Batman. I'm just saying nobody has ever seen me and Batman in a room together.

08/19/2012, 09:56 AM	#8
RDuhb Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 366	Thanks everyone! My tank is a 75 gallon. I planned on two Korlia 1400's. Sounds like those will work fine. I also plan on using a Trigger 36S sump with a Marineland NJ3000 return pump. __________________ And I thought my remote control airplane hobby was expensive...silly me!!

08/19/2012, 09:53 AM	#7
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I agree with all the posts above, as too the original question of flow, yes the delivered flow from your return pump (flow from the return pump after discounting the head pressure flow loss) counts in your total tank flow numbers.