SaltwaterAdict
New member
What's a good turn over rate in gph for a return pump on a 180 gallon? It's going to be a mixed reef not really sure if that matters.
Turn over rate
- Thread starter SaltwaterAdict
- Start date
mwoodruff964
New member
On my 90 gallon I have a 700gph rated glass holes overflow with a mag drive 9.5 return and both are turned down via ball valve. I have mine turned down so it give longer reaction time with heaters,skimmer,fuge,etc. As far as a "good" turnover rate in the neighborhood of 1100-1300gph it will really depend on the setup of your system. Hope that kinda answers your question
redhanded77
New member
I would go with what your skimmer is rated for. Also, depends on your sump size and design. Too much turn over and your sump could be loud, microbubbles and your equipment down there might not have long enough contact time with the water.
I had to put a ball valve and dial down my return pump to quiet the sump.
I had to put a ball valve and dial down my return pump to quiet the sump.
This always seems a contreversial question, as the schools of thought seem to differ. Many say same as skimmer, many say 8-10x tank volume. For what its worth, I'm doing 1500gph on my 180 based upon the advice of a local lfs who I trust and has many spectacular tanks out there - if thats what he's suggesting for his clients and having the results he's having, he must be doing something right.
Hal
New member
It really depends on what you're trying to do. For filtering purposes, anything more than the flowrate for your skimmer is wasted and only adds audible noise to your system. The skimmer flowrate should also be more than enough for any chaeto, live rock, or other types of filtering (carbon, GFO, etc.) that you have. So in short, match your sump flowthrough to whatever your skimmer needs. For a rule of thumb, 4-6x your sump volume is probably fine, but check on the specifics for your skimmer.
If you're using the return pump also for turnover within the tank, then the more the better. I don't recommend this, however, since you'll add noise to your display tank (overflow) as well as in the sump. You're really better off having equipment dedicated for flow in your display tank (closed loop or powerhead) rather than trying to use your return pump.
reefermad619
New member
Weird that nobody asked what type of drain your running and how many. That would be one of the limiting factors too as well.
A few have already said it, depends on what you are trying to do in your sump.
For my 400 Display tank/550 G system, here is what I did.
For me, I have a 30G and 90 G sump. So I'm pushing about 2000GPH thru mine. My setup is a bit different than most in that my overflow from the tank feeds a 30G sump in which my skimmer sits. The output of the skimmer goes into the 90G sump, NOT back into the 30G sump. Any extra water flow in the 30 flows into the 90 via a second pipe.
I also have a large area of a Deep sand bed in my 90G sump. However the system is set up so that even with the amount of flow I have, it does not disturbe the sand bed.
The key to any sump is to have a area secontioned off for your skimmer. The output of the skimmer should pour into the rest of the sump, usually on the otherside of a partition. There should be enough flow from the tank to the area of the sump where the skimmer sits to keep the skimmer area full with some overflow into the next area of the sump. Hope that makes sense.
For my 400 Display tank/550 G system, here is what I did.
For me, I have a 30G and 90 G sump. So I'm pushing about 2000GPH thru mine. My setup is a bit different than most in that my overflow from the tank feeds a 30G sump in which my skimmer sits. The output of the skimmer goes into the 90G sump, NOT back into the 30G sump. Any extra water flow in the 30 flows into the 90 via a second pipe.
I also have a large area of a Deep sand bed in my 90G sump. However the system is set up so that even with the amount of flow I have, it does not disturbe the sand bed.
The key to any sump is to have a area secontioned off for your skimmer. The output of the skimmer should pour into the rest of the sump, usually on the otherside of a partition. There should be enough flow from the tank to the area of the sump where the skimmer sits to keep the skimmer area full with some overflow into the next area of the sump. Hope that makes sense.
All I said was there's lots of opinions. Yours is one, I see it a little different. I completely understand that some peoples needs are different - gas exchange is also an important part of this equation. I also run a couple of 6105's in my display.
Whatever works for you is the right answer - theres just not one right answer!
Whatever works for you is the right answer - theres just not one right answer!
briankmarsh1980
I'm a member of **!!!!!!
I would be happy with a 3-5 turnover
pblogic
Member
The more the better is not a true or good statement. You need to provide adequate flow in the display but that's better accomplished by other means. If you're running water through your sump and fuge at 30x an hour like some folks do you drastically decrease the contact time to the skimmer, fuge, and any bio/chemical filtration you have in the sump. Proper display flow is important, high return turnover is bad advice IMHO
Similar threads
