Newbie need help - Flow Question.
 

Hi all:
Anyone could help me on this please, thanks in advance.
My tank is reef tank (meant to be) about Main: 170G with sump: 40G
I have 3 return, with height and lenght of hoses, return flow rate about: 165 GPH each. I put 2 of Koralia3 (850GPH) in the maintank for flow. So total flows are about:
3x 165GPH = 495 GPH for water turnover. Plus
2x850GPH flows circulation.

I just wonder is the flow rate in my system too low or too high? - Also, how do you recommend for: Water turnover rate and flow rate in the reef tank? - What are the recommendation for those, I mean...

Sorry if my question is not really clear and make sense. But that all I can think of to put into words.

Thank you all in advance.

*Remember I had a question about some aptasia and bad hickhikers? - Those rock now are in seperate tank with some Berghia working hard on cleaning the estate now, hehehe... Look prety fun when they are "at work"

Brandy, it's a tough question to answer, mostly dependant on your tank. If it's a softie or LPS tank, and the flow moves all the polyps around (for feeding/cleaning) AND the flow keeps the detritus suspended long enough for the filtration to remove it, you're probably OK. But, on average, for a 170g system, I'd say it may not be enough flow. IMO, a koralia 3 is good for a 20g reef, not something your size.
If it were me, I would have minimum 600gph per return line and at least 1600gph from each power head.
Well, for me as an SPS keeper, I'd have way more than that (last tank was 75g, about 8000gph total flow)
But, as I said, evaluate the behaviours above and see if the flow is currently doing what it should.

I would suggest you upgrade the return. I don't know what your drains can handle but you want to target 10x tank volume per hour through the Sump. With this target you get good aeration, good flow which will help with keeping the detritus suspended (as mentioned by Aquattro)

So you should be looking at 1700 gph return, after that you can check the need for additional flow from powerheads.

Wavysea's and Seaswirls are nice attachment for flow from the returns.

Thanks.
Currently, I have nothing inthere yet. Actually, only LR: 200#, LS: 2" and 2 clown (got from a friend, didn't buy though) And my tank is planning to be sps with some carpet and soft (very few just for those fish to get hosted)
The size of the display section is about: 54Lx30Wx25H.
The return was 3 of the ViaAqua 306 (originally 526GPH) but with the hieght iit drived up to main tank, I extimated about 165GPH at the outputs.
Hope this will roughly give you the picture of my tank. Thanks

My drain (2 Big drains) built in with builtin overflow, it will drain as much as any exceeded water in the main tank. So, I guess the option is to update the returns pumps. What is your suggestion for those pump to get enough power but not much the "humming" noices though.

Thanks alot for all your helps...

If you're going SPS, you don't have enough flow. I'd look at bigger return if your overflows can handle it, then inside, look at Tunze solutions (Streams, Wavebox, etc) or Vortecs. The koralias won't be enough.
The issue with SPS is that they require higher flow to purge slime build up, and their growth becomes very "spindley" without sufficient water movement.

Jaws has a couple of Stream 6060's posted for sale right now, I recall. I'd go with 6100's, but that drives the cost up.

A sequence snapper would give you 1900gph at 4'

http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/s...ct_ID=wp-seq00

Hey Brandy, being a self-described newbie I'm wondering (no offense intended) if you are aware how much it will cost you to setup a 170g SPS tank successfully? You're looking at a house down payment.

You're going to need a bigger sump to handle the flow, a bigger return pump, bigger powerheads, and a Wavemaker would be a great idea. Not to mention a mass of other equipment you haven't mentioned (lights, reactors, skimmer, etc). Being a newbie, I would suggest you try your hand at a much smaller SPS tank, and see if you have the knack for it to begin with. Try a 75g or something like that.

Jmo... :)

I'm all for flow through a sump but 1900gph at a 40g...

What do you think a 75G with a 54G (actual tank size) would require for a moderate SPS system (mixed with softies)

I think my current system is around 2200-2300gph.. (total flow) return is something like 550-600, then 2 K3's.

2200gph, most of which is coming from your K3's, is not really enough for SPS

So a return pump upgrade would be needed then... I know my drain can handle alot more... anyways, sorry for the thread hi-jack.. :mrgreen:

Make your own thread. :)

Personally, I wouldn't do a huge return pump as too much flow through your sump can have several downsides including extra salt creep from all the splashing, but more importantly the water will be bypassing your skimmer too quickly for it to properly do its job. A big honkin' return will also use a lot of electricity and add a lot of extra heat to the system.

My trusty Eheim 1260 on my 150 gallon system only does around ~500 gph max at 4' and I even have it tee'd off to run a UV.

The majority of your display tank flow should come from powerheads (Tunze/Vortech) and/or a closed-loop.

I agree ^, but personally I like about 6-7x turnover through the sump compared to a lot of peopl who have 10-20x or more through their sump. Then use powerheads and closed loops to get the flow in the tank that your corals need.

Ya, I also only have about 5x thru my sump. Let's the skimmer and carbon do it's thing. Ideally the flow should come from power heads or closed loop, as already mentioned.

you are right, everything is bigger. Not the sizes but the prices though. As when I started, everything was planned with roughly the total $$ as well. Giving it a few extra for incase like upgrading... I think I can manage that. Thanks for your advice though.

I am doing that way too :lol:
As being recommended, I'll upgrade my returns (3 pumps.) Right now 165GPH
to be about 320GPH each (at the out-puts in the tank ).
But besides, I talked to my uncle in LA, he'll ship to me 2 of the Tunze ( He's reef guy so he will know what to buy for my tank

So after upgrade, my return rate would be 950GPH = about 5 times turnover

But flow will be very strong, around 1800-2000GPH as he mentioned.

I dont want to go for strong return and so, as you said, the skimmers will be useless.

Thanks,

What is the dimension of this tank? 2000gph is still pretty low for a 170g SPS tank. Personally, with a tank that size, I would probably go into the 10,000gph range.

^ What he said.

I was advising because not everyone is prepared for the amount of maintenance, the maintenance costs, and some people just don't have the knack for it. I would hate to see you spend a house down payment on a system just to purge it in a year because it's "too tough" or "too time consuming" or "too expensive" or "too much of a pain in the butt" or "too difficult to make it look good", or "...". Reef keeping isn't easy. It's rather a nerdy hobby, and if you aren't nerdy enough (in your habits at least) you will likely fail.

You seriously haven't had any other reef tanks? What about just plain sw tanks? Freshwater tanks? Anything?

I'm the type who likes to take big risks, but this is large. :)