Too Much Turnover?

[Wooly]

At what point is turn over too much for my tank/sump? I've read 3-4x display volume is sufficient, and wondered if going beyond would have a negative effect? Thanks

 

[BrianOKC]

The only bad thing I can think of is more bubbles too deal with in the sump. These could cause problems if they make it back to the return pump and get chopped into a million micro-bubbles.

 

[chaderic26]

Negative, probably not. Pointless... maybe. imho.

 

[happysak]

At what point is turn over too much for my tank/sump? I've read 3-4x display volume is sufficient, and wondered if going beyond would have a negative effect? Thanks

Nope, no negative effects, as long overflow box and filtration can handle flow( if overflow box is rated for 600 gph, there will be no reason to use 1000 gph pump for return, same for filtration). Water movement in display tank is a different story. In my 40 gal tank I have over 120x maximum turn over.

Cheers, Roman

 

[pwhitby]

there is a difference between flow and turnover.

For example, my 600g would fill every 30 mins with the return from the sump.

However............the flow in the tank is close to 30,000gal per hour.

For best growth you need high flow.
AS far as optimal return ... so long as you dont stir up the refugium, create bubbles and allow the entire system to equillibrate ..you are good. I keep my cal reactor, skimmer and heaters in the sump. If there is no difference in sump and tank temp, then I consider the flow sufficient.

Paul.

 

[pwhitby]

btw...

Good to see you Walt, hows things?

 

[Wooly]

Hi Paul! Things are good, still trying to get a handle on mini reefs. Thanks for asking and for your input. You to Roman!

 

[dugg]

The slower the flow through the sump the better. You need all the fow you can get in the display, but the sump should be slow so it can do it's job right. I have a mag5 on my 70g with a 30g sump and it runs so much better than my 90g with a 30g sump and 1200 gph return pump it's ridiiculous. I pump well over half of the 1200gph right back to the sump to keep the algae under control. All of the flow needs to be in the tank and just maybe twice the tank volume per hr through the sump. It gives the sump time to do it's job.