Flow VS Turnover...Round 1 *ding ding*

[hot4teacher]

Which one would you strive to achieve first?

Flow(no dead spots) or Turnover(times your tank is turned over)?

And do you think they are the same thing or different. Please support your answers.

Dana

 

[johnvu713]

i'd say flow
ding ding ding
Flow 1 Turnover 0

 

[DrBDC]

Depends on what each one thinks the terms mean. It really is the same unless you start splitting hairs. You need as much as possible and not in a direct blasting. You want as wide of a flow pattern as possible to "attempt" to mimic laminar flow(think of a full wall of water moving from one side to the other). Seios, tunze's all create a "wider" flow pattern which enables huge volumes without a localized blast pattern. Closed loops using a "Calfo style"(can I say that anymore ) manifold are probably the best. It puts flow out in 6+ outlets, the more the better if you can provide approx 600 gph per outlet.

Standard powerheads are the worst. Think of taking your garden hose and putting on a spray nozzle. Aim that at a plant and see if it likes it. Then you can add other type flow adapters i.e. hydors. Now take that garden hose and turn it on full blast but make the spray harder(a smaller outlet) and hold it 3 or 4 feet back. Just enough that the end of the hose flys around. Whatever it hits is getting a smaller blast pattern but not all the time. Still pretty rough on plants. Your animals feel the same. But at least it's flow.

Turnover to the sump, which some think that that is the only definition of turnover, only needs to be a token amount. Just enough to feed the skimmer plus a little bit extra for good measure. So if your skimmer feeds 300 gph, give it 350-400 through the sump. Anything else is unnecessary and actually decreases in sump skimmer performance.

 

[vwluv10338]

Flow. When I added a Tunze to my 58 I could see an increase in skimmer production. My sump turnover rate stayed the same but the amount of detritus actually reaching my skimmer was increased due to water movement in my tank.

Eric

 

[moonpod]

By far flow. Turnover ie through the sump is needed essentially to ensure enough "face time" with the skimmer, heaters etc....
.

 

[hot4teacher]

So what I'm hearing is, is that as long as you don't have any dead spots in the tank, and the flow meets your livestocks needs, then that is the priority. Sump merely needs enough to keep the skimmer happy and efficient.

For example, I could have a 29gal and have 3 high end tunze's in it, turning my tank over 40+ times, and still have dead spots. So ideally one just needs to strategically place the powerheads/plan for closed loop accordingly.

Hmmm sounds like Flow has won it unless someone from the Turnover corner has a rebuttal.

Dana

 

[DrBDC]

Yes flow is most important. BTW you couldn't have 3 high end tunze's and have dead spots! :lol:

 

[hot4teacher]

Just speaking hypothetically.

 

[DrBDC]

I know!

That would allow you to sit next to the tank and be sprayed with water. It would be a realistic ocean front experience! At least until a fish flies out and hits you in the head! :lol: