FOWLR questions- Flow, stocking list

[edjco]

Hi everyone.
I'm in the process of setting up my (fourth) tank, and I need some input.
The tank is a 240, using a homemade sump made from a 75 gallon tank.
It has two Mag 18 pumps. The RC calculator shows my total flow will be 2336 GPH, or turning over the tank 10 times per hour. I plan to use a Reef Octopus 200 skimmer.

Question 1: Is that enough flow?
Question 2: If not, how do I add more flow? Do I add additional pumps and plumb them into the four existing returns, or just add additional returns/pumps?

I plan to stock with the following:
Picasso Trigger
Blue Line Angel
Auriga Butterfly
Latticed Butterfly
Blue Tang
Yellow Tang
Blonde Tang

Question 3: Do you see any problem with this stocking list?

I'm in the process of building the stand and some DIY rock which I will have to cure, etc. so I have plenty of time. I just wanted some expert opinions before I get too far along.
Thanks in advance!

 

[viggen]

I think that's way to much flow..... you need to be in the 2-5x a hr turnover through your sump

Even a single mag18 is probably more then enough..... especially considering how loud they are & the power they consume!

I use two 65g sumps for my filtration, It see's 2000-2500 gph of flow from my RD 12m3 pump which consumes 110-120w. I am dealing with micro bubbles..... so I am going to try a 1200 gph bubble blaster pump in it's place. It's on a 475g tank.....

low flow through sump - 2-5x's
high flow inside tank using powerheads, wave makers, closed loops etc

Not sure on your list.... is the tank 6ft or 8ft?

 

[edjco]

8 FootX2X2

 

[edjco]

Ok, I gotcha. When they say for instance to shoot for 20X flow, they aren't talking through the sump, they are talking in the tank...So all I would need is a few powerheads, right?

 

[viggen]

exactly.... sump flow is 2-5x a hr. Slow enough to let the filter do it's job cleaning

tank turnover including sump + power heads is 20x+

for a 8ft tank you could use a few ecotec (or similar) powerheads. The MP60's are what I plan on using on my 10ft tank, probably just put one at each end to replace the seio's I presently use. It's just coming up with the money to buy them!!

There are numerous different types of power heads to choose from, some expensice like ecotec & tunze & others quite a bit cheaper.

Another option especally if it's a acrylic tank is to do a closed loop system. Dripp a handfull or so of holes & plum it to a reeflo dart or snapper pump & gain 2000-4000 gph depending on the pump & model

 

[edjco]

Thanks, that clears up a lot. It's a glass tank, so it's going to have to be powerheads.
Does the stocking list look ok for an 8 footer?

 

[nanoreefer1000]

Thanks, that clears up a lot. It's a glass tank, so it's going to have to be powerheads.
Does the stocking list look ok for an 8 footer?

Looks pretty good!

 

[viggen]

Zero experience with butterfly fish

Is it a blue hep tang, atlantic blue tang or powder blue tang?

I would think you could easily add more fish then what you have listed

 

[mattsilvester]

flow through sump is not critical, assuming you are going FOWLR i.e. not a trickle filter..... unless you have a nigh heating (cold house) or cooling (hot house) load, and you need heaters / chillers..... in which case I feel about 5x turnover is fine.

Overall flow - including all pumps .... 10x times is the minimum in my opinion. But there are other factors to consider - for example if it is a BB tank, then brisk high velocity flow (rathr than sheer volume as say a tunze tream will give you) is desireable to pick up detritus..... conversely if you're running a DSB then slower, but high volume flow is desireable. you're stocking list qould appreciate flowrates north of 20x, generally..... but 10x s adequate.

Stocking list seems good to me - generally. When you say "blue" tang, do you mean a regal (hippo) tang, an atlantic blue tang, a powder blue tang...... the acanthurus tangs can be a bit nasty (latter two) but generally I have found this nastiness to be exagerated..... in an 8x2x2 tank and if introduced last, you shouldn't have a problem (but as with everything in life there's always exceptions - but I wouldn't worry about it).

 

[Wistler]

I'm going to ask a question on the turnover subject again since there are some knowledgable folks posting above. Our 180 FOWLR tank is set up and it is 6ft long by 2 feet deep x 2 feet tall. It has a 55 gal long sump which has a acrylic bubble trap dividing the sump into a 1/3 size chamber. One end has the drain lines feeding through a 7" filter sock where the skimmer and GFO/Carbon reactor reside and feed/return. The water passes through the bubble trap where I have poly mat as an extra mechanical filter, and then there is 50+ pounds of live rock football sized chunks.

I am using an old Mag 9 return pump and a single beat up Koralia 1050 powerhead shooting along the front of the tank.

I need to upgrade my return pump and my dealer has a Ehiem 18 hyper flow on sale. I have heard they are quiet and it has a high flow rating for its size.

Also, should I get a new Koralia 1050 or 1400 Powehead for the display?

I am getting micro bubbles now and the tank is in our TV room so a quiet pump is needed.

Our fish will include , tangs, flame angel, toby puffer, Humu trigger, fox face, and a larger angel. Thanks!