flow?

how do i know if my flow is right? i have a 55 gal tank,with a skilter 400, & a aqueon 950 circulation pump.. i read somewhere it needs to be around 30 times the size of my tank..correct or no?
if so that is 55gallons x30... that is 1650GPH...
if correct means im lacking 300gph...but my sand is blowing now, if i dont have circ pump facing towards the top of the water...

 

3x, 10x, 30x, 50-60x.

Depends alot on what you're gonna have, livestock, etc.

The trend overall is to have higher flow.

conservatively speaking, I'm running at least 35X my tank volume/hr.
this of course includes anything that moves water.
the sumps return, and power heads and power fans, etc.

 

flow is a cketchy thing, and is differnt for litterally every tank. you want as much flow as you can possible handle without blowing your coral/sand/fish everywhere. 30x is a good round about number, it really depends on teh type of coral your keeping.

15-20x for softies
20-35x for LPS
50+ for SPS

this is best achieved with multple, smaller powerheads, insted of one huge powerhead.

 

Speaking of power heads- I was going to start a thread asking how many people had in their DT.

I think I will

 

Saltydogg is this going to be a FOWLR or Reef? If it's FOWLR 30x is right although I've read some where on the site that some have it as low as 20x with FOWLR. If its reef you need more than 30x some have it @ 60x or higher. The concept with flow is to have enough movement so that you don't have dead spots where ditrus can accumulate. Your circulattion pump should not be blowing your sand around. You should position it so that there is some flow near the sand not blow it around. How long has the tank been up? Has it cycled?

 

well im pretty sure its going to be a fowlr with some coral placed here & there but not sure what kind yet... i have placed this 1 aqueon 950 circ pump everywhere in this tank & no matter where its @ it gradually moves the sand..it just barely moves it but if it stays like that it causes it to make hills... the tank has been up since 4/27/12... it started its cycle 4/29/12..so its still cycling....tested today & SG is perfect @ 1.024 & ammonia is spiked @ over 8 ppm... so im getting closer...thanks people..you guys help so much..

 

Saltydogg we are at about the same I started my new 90 around the same time and I just check my params today. As for the flow keep trying eventually you'll find the right spot. I went through the same thing but I have 8 heads I had to play with. I'm going full reef mixed so I will need that flow. I currently have about 70x running in the tank. It's got some pretty good movement.