proper flow for 60 gal. & 20 gal

AquaAdam · 03/04/2018, 08:45 PM

Hey everyone,

I have a 60 gal. that's been set up for a while now and I was just given a 20 gal. that I'm thinking of using as a qt tank. My question is, whats the correct flow you should have a for a reef tank. I know that the flow can depend on corals, but what are the basic parameters I need to be in. From what I've been researching, some people say it needs to be between 5 & 10x the volume and other people have said 20 to 40x the volume.

Also, when talking about the flow, should I be adding in the power of the powerhead to the equation? eg. if a return pump is running @ 600gph and powerhead is at 425gph does that equate to 1025gph for the flow?

Thanks!

Sk8r · 03/04/2018, 09:25 PM

FOr a 52 I used to use a 950 gph main return. Powerheads tend to target an area of low flow, eg, rockwork dead spots, low in tank, etc.

AquaAdam · 03/05/2018, 03:38 PM

So your almost at 20x the volume then. If that's the case I need to increase the flow of my return pump a bit. im usually running it at 6-700

mcgyvr · 03/05/2018, 06:42 PM

Commonly throw about recommendations are as follows..
Flow rate through a sump (return pump) should be 3-10x display tank volume with many shooting for around 5x
Total flow rate in a tank (return pump + powerheads) should be 20-30x display tank minimum up to 100x for bare bottom/high flow SPS coral only tanks..
20-30x = low/starting 30-50x = medium/higher flow, 75-100x.. high flow..

AquaAdam · 03/05/2018, 08:34 PM

Hi and Thanks for the reply mcgyvr. That finally clears things up for me and with the equations you provided, I'm right in the range I should be.

03/04/2018, 08:45 PM	#1
AquaAdam Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Ontario Posts: 95	proper flow for 60 gal. & 20 gal Hey everyone, I have a 60 gal. that's been set up for a while now and I was just given a 20 gal. that I'm thinking of using as a qt tank. My question is, whats the correct flow you should have a for a reef tank. I know that the flow can depend on corals, but what are the basic parameters I need to be in. From what I've been researching, some people say it needs to be between 5 & 10x the volume and other people have said 20 to 40x the volume. Also, when talking about the flow, should I be adding in the power of the powerhead to the equation? eg. if a return pump is running @ 600gph and powerhead is at 425gph does that equate to 1025gph for the flow? Thanks!

03/04/2018, 09:25 PM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	FOr a 52 I used to use a 950 gph main return. Powerheads tend to target an area of low flow, eg, rockwork dead spots, low in tank, etc. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

03/05/2018, 06:42 PM	#4
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Commonly throw about recommendations are as follows.. Flow rate through a sump (return pump) should be 3-10x display tank volume with many shooting for around 5x Total flow rate in a tank (return pump + powerheads) should be 20-30x display tank minimum up to 100x for bare bottom/high flow SPS coral only tanks.. 20-30x = low/starting 30-50x = medium/higher flow, 75-100x.. high flow.. __________________ Who me?

03/05/2018, 03:38 PM	#3
AquaAdam Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Ontario Posts: 95	So your almost at 20x the volume then. If that's the case I need to increase the flow of my return pump a bit. im usually running it at 6-700

03/05/2018, 08:34 PM	#5
AquaAdam Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Ontario Posts: 95	Hi and Thanks for the reply mcgyvr. That finally clears things up for me and with the equations you provided, I'm right in the range I should be.