Water Circulation

Hello all,

This question is in regards to total water circulation. Are there any rules of thumb that govern how much circulation a certain size tank should have.

I'm currently designing my system and I want to know if the water return from the sump/fuge is enough or if power heads should be added.

I'm considering a 500l (132 gal) tank with or without a sump. I would prefer with, but I'm still looking at the possibilities.

How much total turnover (l/hr) does one want in the tank? How much total turnover is appropriate for a sump?

Thanks,
Steve

 

Alot has to do with the types of corals you plan on maintaining. Better to have more flow than not enough, but reading on the requirements required by various corals will help you with placement within your tank!

 

I would say the turnover should be around 10x the volume. The flow rate in your tank will be much higher (20x or even 30x) depending on your corals (as mentioned by Coral_Reefer). This is fairly easy to achieve, and a few decent power heads will do the trick.

I would really recommend having a sump, I've had a tank with and without and to be honest I would never setup a tank without one.

 

I would avoid using just the return for flow. Mainly because you are limited by how much water can be brought down the return. Also it limits you fixed flow points once you've set up. Powerheads can be moved, removed or added.
If you are not a fan of power heads then you could go with a closed loop. This is an independent pump than takes water from the tank then returns it through predetermined plumbed lines. Either drilled in the tank walls or mounted around and over the side.

J

 

if you rely on your sump return for all your flow then either you won't have enough flow in the display tank ,or you will have to much flow in the sump for the sump to do its job right.i never worked a tank that big so idk how much you need.

 

You don't want so much flow going through your sump that your skimmer doesn't have time to skim it all. 5-7 times total volume of the tank will be plenty through the sump. with that being said, I would recommend atleast 30x turnover in your system as far as flow goes. Not only do most corals need the flow, fish need it to. The flow helps with the gas exchange and helps oxygenate the water for the fish. With a 132 gallon tank I would shoot for 3500 gph atleast. something like 3 koralia 4's with your return would be pretty nice.

 

Thanks all, that is very helpful. I can use this to begin sizing bits and pieces. Now I just need to figure out how big a sump I want to have.

 

About 4 to 5 times per Hr through the sump is what is called turnover the internal tank circulation is just that some call it a closed loop But thats far from what a C/Loop is . But much more then 4 times per hr through a sump via the 1 in. drain as Jason mentioned is bit much to ask for a liittle drain pipe like most tanks are drilled for. also the 4 to 5 x's makes for a good skimmer rate .

 

couldn't have said it better myself

 

get a vortech for each side...big money but u could dial in what u like and whatever corals u decide to keep like.