Ho do you determine how many GPH flow you need for your system?

[Jan]

Is there a chart, formula or something? How can I figure out how much flow I need from sump to tank, in tank, etc.?

[roni]

i usually shoot for 2-4x tank turnover for my return to my tank and minimum 20-30x turnover for in tank water motion.

[trockafella]

I think the quality of flow is more important than the quanity..

[Vadim]

how would you even measure this issue accurately? for me i'd love to have 10x turnover in my main tank. but i don't think that's happening.

[bluce]

Below are 2 good articles on Flow rate or water turnover - enjoy!

 

http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/beginnerscorner/a/aa081399.htm

 

http://www.aquariumpros.com/articles/howtopump.shtml

[bluce]

how would you even measure this issue accurately? for me i'd love to have 10x turnover in my main tank. but i don't think that's happening.

 

 

You can take a rough measurement by timing how fast you fill up a 1 gallon container when the return pump is turned on.

[Vadim]

i wonder if there's an actual tool/monitor that's out on the market for measuring these types of things. google time it is.

[treesprite]

I think it's a lot more complicated than just formulas. I would consider tank dimensions in addition to gallons, the equipment and plumbing you will be using to introduce the flow, how the flow needs to be distributed, liverock structures that may affect flow distribution, and type of livestock. Liverock takes up part of the tank volume, and rock structures decrease the amount of area to which the flow needs to be directed.

[Jan]

This is what I was looking for. Thank you!!!!

 

Below are 2 good articles on Flow rate or water turnover - enjoy!

 

http://saltaquarium..../a/aa081399.htm

 

http://www.aquariump...howtopump.shtml