FOWLR Flow?

flyingace2005 · 02/14/2006, 12:21 AM

I was wondering what people were using on their tanks for additional flow. I am thinking about setting up a closed loop but am not sure if seios or tunzes would be better. I am setting up a 125 so, how much flow do I want? My return pump is rated at 1200gph. What else should I do for more flow?
Thanks

stevebydac · 02/14/2006, 09:16 AM

Because you don't have any corals, you don't need as much flow as a reef tank. The FOWLR recommendation that I've read is 10X. Basically, your aim is to just make sure there are no dead spots in the tank where gunk can accumulate. However you do that is up to you. Some people prefer the powerheads, others like the closed loops -- either is good.

ledford1 · 02/14/2006, 10:18 AM

On my 180, I have 2 Streams adding to the flow of the return pump. I keep a couple of tangs and some other fish that enjoy playing in the current. So, I'm doing about 25x.

I went with Streams because of their lower power consumption and ease of just adding a powerhead rather than having to plumb even more things into the tank for a CL. PH vs CL is just kind of a personal preference and have their own pros and cons.

Keep your fish in mind. Some will enjoy higher flow and some want lower flow.

Mad Scientist · 02/14/2006, 10:20 AM

The more flow, the better. In FOLRs it's often tough to keep a big clean-up crew due to predators - as a result it's really crucial to have really solid flow to eliminate dead spots and prevent buildup. In a tank with lots of LR this can be a challenge.

Closed loops are good, PHs are good. Most people I know with big FOLRs use both (as I do in my 220).

TapeWorm · 02/14/2006, 12:41 PM

I have a 210 and I run a Barracuda as my return pump.

kjmst29 · 02/14/2006, 12:53 PM

Um, what's a closed loop?

Mad Scientist · 02/14/2006, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kjmst29
Um, what's a closed loop?

There is no break (such as a sump) between the intake and the return. Basically in the simplest sense, it's a suction intake pipe that runs right to the pump that returns the water right back to the tank.

asmodeus · 02/14/2006, 02:22 PM

With that being said a CLosed loop is really no head problems you may loose around 1-200 gph if that depending on the flow in the tank...

I have a Barracuda on my 170 and its Bare bottom. love it too. thinking of adding some more flow to the tank......

mike

ACBlinky · 02/14/2006, 10:14 PM

In my 65g I have a canister filter with a spraybar to agitate the surface, two MaxiJet 1200 PHs and two MaxiJet 900 PHs, all together around 20x turnover. The tank is basically FOWLR, there are a few corals (Xenia, leather, hammer and frogspawn) but it's not a reef, at least not yet

flyingace2005 · 02/15/2006, 12:33 AM

So, would I be better off getting 1or2 tunzes or would a closed loop be better?
Thanks

hdtvguy · 02/15/2006, 01:09 AM

CL better in appearance IMO. Higher $$$ to run them. Tunzes $$$$$$ upfront cost to buy. Cheap to run. The sight of having a big power head in the tank Yuck.

You make up what you like best and works for you.

bigdee65 · 02/15/2006, 10:18 AM

On my 135g FOWLR I have a mag 9.5 as my return, a Sieo 1500 in one corner and a Tunze 6000 on a controller in the other corner.

If you are able to drill your tank I would suggest going with the closed loop because if rids the tank of the large power heads. The two that I have in my tank are rather large and can take away from the beauty of the tank.

Mad Scientist · 02/15/2006, 11:22 AM

Big, in-tank powerheads can create heat issues depending on your system (vs CL pumps that can disperse heat into the air. Just another small factor to consider.

DesertBandits · 02/16/2006, 04:54 PM

A pump needed to run a closed loop uses a lot of watts (100+). The only reason to run a closed loop is aesthetics; some people don't like the look of powerheads in their tank. Broad flow pumps like tunze consume the least watts, then followed by powerheads, with closed loops at an oh so distant third place. I would recomend you don't run a closed loop unless you really despise the sight of pumps so much that you're willing to pay the extra 20$/month electric.

flyingace2005 · 02/16/2006, 04:58 PM

I think what I am going to do is get a Tunze 6060. My return pump is 1200gph so if I got one of these tunzes, I think that I will have more than enough flow.
Thanks

Mad Scientist · 02/16/2006, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DesertBandits
A pump needed to run a closed loop uses a lot of watts (100+). The only reason to run a closed loop is aesthetics; some people don't like the look of powerheads in their tank. Broad flow pumps like tunze consume the least watts, then followed by powerheads, with closed loops at an oh so distant third place. I would recomend you don't run a closed loop unless you really despise the sight of pumps so much that you're willing to pay the extra 20$/month electric.

Yup, typical closed loop pumps will ussually be between 50-150watts. To be honest, if you are running a big tank (125gallon on and up) and extra hundred watts is going to break the bank, it might be time for a new hobby

Personally, for the big bucks that a lot of us shell out for a "perfect" show tank an extra couple hundred bucks a year for no huge powerheads is well worth the expense.

That said, I have to point that I LOVE tunzes and can't say enough good things about them - espically for reef applications.

cjpacitto · 02/17/2006, 09:47 PM

I've got a 125 FOWLR with dual filter systems... I'm running a Velocity T1 (1250gph) on a closed loop with an Ocean Clear Canister and a MagDrive 12 as a return from my sump. Both are running through SCWD's with the closed loop returning to the bottom of the tank and the sump to the top of the tank. I think this JUST BARELY gives me enough current. I'm thinking of adding one more pump to the system... possibly another MagDrive inside the tank (but hidden in the rock) pumping through yet another SCWD with 2 to 4 outputs around mid-tank.

FWIW, I have a lion and a puffer who are both quite messy eaters.

moriartiholmes · 02/18/2006, 01:35 AM

The amount of flow you chose really has to do with the fish you keep. For example lions will appreciate less flow than a reef, but enough to keep the water moving and oxygenated. Certain fish want more flow. Plan your system around the fish you want to keep, and you'll both be happy.

02/14/2006, 12:21 AM	#1
flyingace2005 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Waukee, Iowa Posts: 454	FOWLR Flow? I was wondering what people were using on their tanks for additional flow. I am thinking about setting up a closed loop but am not sure if seios or tunzes would be better. I am setting up a 125 so, how much flow do I want? My return pump is rated at 1200gph. What else should I do for more flow? Thanks __________________ --Joe S. Current Tank Info: 400 gal SPS system

02/14/2006, 10:20 AM	#4
Mad Scientist Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mass Posts: 2,776	The more flow, the better. In FOLRs it's often tough to keep a big clean-up crew due to predators - as a result it's really crucial to have really solid flow to eliminate dead spots and prevent buildup. In a tank with lots of LR this can be a challenge. Closed loops are good, PHs are good. Most people I know with big FOLRs use both (as I do in my 220). __________________ "Failing to plan is planning to fail." DIVE SAFE Current Tank Info: Starting over

02/14/2006, 02:22 PM	#8
asmodeus SKIMMER WHORE Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Fredericton, NB, Canada Posts: 1,564	With that being said a CLosed loop is really no head problems you may loose around 1-200 gph if that depending on the flow in the tank... I have a Barracuda on my 170 and its Bare bottom. love it too. thinking of adding some more flow to the tank...... mike __________________ Doesn't matter how much you have been reading, until you take the plunge. You don't know as much as you think. Moved from the WEST to the EAST

02/14/2006, 10:14 PM	#9
ACBlinky Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Peterborough, ON, Canada Posts: 4,954 Blog Entries: 20	In my 65g I have a canister filter with a spraybar to agitate the surface, two MaxiJet 1200 PHs and two MaxiJet 900 PHs, all together around 20x turnover. The tank is basically FOWLR, there are a few corals (Xenia, leather, hammer and frogspawn) but it's not a reef, at least not yet __________________ "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." - Isak Dinesen Current Tank Info: 150g mixed reef, 30g sump/refugium, LED lighting, 100lbs LR, coral beauty, flame angel, blue & yellow tangs, gobies, damsels, 6-line wrasse, lawnmower blenny, dottyback, clown pair, rabbitfish, shrimp, crabs, CUC.

02/15/2006, 12:33 AM	#10
flyingace2005 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Waukee, Iowa Posts: 454	So, would I be better off getting 1or2 tunzes or would a closed loop be better? Thanks __________________ --Joe S. Current Tank Info: 400 gal SPS system

02/14/2006, 09:16 AM	#2
stevebydac Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Rhode Island, USA Posts: 410	Because you don't have any corals, you don't need as much flow as a reef tank. The FOWLR recommendation that I've read is 10X. Basically, your aim is to just make sure there are no dead spots in the tank where gunk can accumulate. However you do that is up to you. Some people prefer the powerheads, others like the closed loops -- either is good.

02/14/2006, 10:18 AM	#3
ledford1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 2,241	On my 180, I have 2 Streams adding to the flow of the return pump. I keep a couple of tangs and some other fish that enjoy playing in the current. So, I'm doing about 25x. I went with Streams because of their lower power consumption and ease of just adding a powerhead rather than having to plumb even more things into the tank for a CL. PH vs CL is just kind of a personal preference and have their own pros and cons. Keep your fish in mind. Some will enjoy higher flow and some want lower flow.

02/14/2006, 12:41 PM	#5
TapeWorm Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Coral Springs, FL Posts: 242	I have a 210 and I run a Barracuda as my return pump.

02/14/2006, 12:53 PM	#6
kjmst29 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Southern NJ Posts: 378	Um, what's a closed loop?

02/15/2006, 01:09 AM	#11
hdtvguy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Winnipeg,Canada Posts: 1,287	CL better in appearance IMO. Higher $$$ to run them. Tunzes $$$$$$ upfront cost to buy. Cheap to run. The sight of having a big power head in the tank Yuck. You make up what you like best and works for you.

02/15/2006, 10:18 AM	#12
bigdee65 Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Westchester, NY Posts: 704	On my 135g FOWLR I have a mag 9.5 as my return, a Sieo 1500 in one corner and a Tunze 6000 on a controller in the other corner. If you are able to drill your tank I would suggest going with the closed loop because if rids the tank of the large power heads. The two that I have in my tank are rather large and can take away from the beauty of the tank.

02/15/2006, 11:22 AM	#13
Mad Scientist Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mass Posts: 2,776	Big, in-tank powerheads can create heat issues depending on your system (vs CL pumps that can disperse heat into the air. Just another small factor to consider. __________________ "Failing to plan is planning to fail." DIVE SAFE Current Tank Info: Starting over

02/16/2006, 04:54 PM	#14
DesertBandits Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Central Jersey Posts: 430	A pump needed to run a closed loop uses a lot of watts (100+). The only reason to run a closed loop is aesthetics; some people don't like the look of powerheads in their tank. Broad flow pumps like tunze consume the least watts, then followed by powerheads, with closed loops at an oh so distant third place. I would recomend you don't run a closed loop unless you really despise the sight of pumps so much that you're willing to pay the extra 20$/month electric.

02/16/2006, 04:58 PM	#15
flyingace2005 Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Waukee, Iowa Posts: 454	I think what I am going to do is get a Tunze 6060. My return pump is 1200gph so if I got one of these tunzes, I think that I will have more than enough flow. Thanks __________________ --Joe S. Current Tank Info: 400 gal SPS system

02/17/2006, 09:47 PM	#17
cjpacitto Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Sunny Southwest Florida Posts: 1	I've got a 125 FOWLR with dual filter systems... I'm running a Velocity T1 (1250gph) on a closed loop with an Ocean Clear Canister and a MagDrive 12 as a return from my sump. Both are running through SCWD's with the closed loop returning to the bottom of the tank and the sump to the top of the tank. I think this JUST BARELY gives me enough current. I'm thinking of adding one more pump to the system... possibly another MagDrive inside the tank (but hidden in the rock) pumping through yet another SCWD with 2 to 4 outputs around mid-tank. FWIW, I have a lion and a puffer who are both quite messy eaters.

02/18/2006, 01:35 AM	#18
moriartiholmes Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Buffalo N.Y. Posts: 860	The amount of flow you chose really has to do with the fish you keep. For example lions will appreciate less flow than a reef, but enough to keep the water moving and oxygenated. Certain fish want more flow. Plan your system around the fish you want to keep, and you'll both be happy. __________________ Brian Current Tank Info: 75 Gallon Reef, 10 gallon at the office