proper flow for 60 gal. & 20 gal

[AquaAdam]

Hey everyone,

I have a 60 gal. that's been set up for a while now and I was just given a 20 gal. that I'm thinking of using as a qt tank. My question is, whats the correct flow you should have a for a reef tank. I know that the flow can depend on corals, but what are the basic parameters I need to be in. From what I've been researching, some people say it needs to be between 5 & 10x the volume and other people have said 20 to 40x the volume.

Also, when talking about the flow, should I be adding in the power of the powerhead to the equation? eg. if a return pump is running @ 600gph and powerhead is at 425gph does that equate to 1025gph for the flow?

Thanks!

 

[Sk8r]

FOr a 52 I used to use a 950 gph main return. Powerheads tend to target an area of low flow, eg, rockwork dead spots, low in tank, etc.

 

[AquaAdam]

So your almost at 20x the volume then. If that's the case I need to increase the flow of my return pump a bit. im usually running it at 6-700

 

[mcgyvr]

Commonly throw about recommendations are as follows..
Flow rate through a sump (return pump) should be 3-10x display tank volume with many shooting for around 5x
Total flow rate in a tank (return pump + powerheads) should be 20-30x display tank minimum up to 100x for bare bottom/high flow SPS coral only tanks..
20-30x = low/starting 30-50x = medium/higher flow, 75-100x.. high flow..

 

[AquaAdam]

Hi and Thanks for the reply mcgyvr. That finally clears things up for me and with the equations you provided, I'm right in the range I should be.