Turnover rate and circulation pumps

I have a 30g FOWLR right now but will probably go reef in a year. I am planning on getting a Hydor 425 pump tomorrow. My return pump is probably putting 250gph back in the tank. This is about 22x turnover for FOWLR which should be OK.

My dilemma is this. When I go reef I would pick up another Hydor 425 and a wavemaker. This would bring my turnover to 36x. I'm assuming this is OK for most corals? Just want to make sure the 425 aren't too powerful. Thanks!

 

The good thing about the Hydor is that the flow is wide rather than narrow. i have a hydor nano 1 (240) in my 5 gallon and the flow isnt "extreme" its pretty gentle. if you go with the what my pumps are rated for im at over 80x turnover. i think two of the 425's would be a good place to start.

 

2X 425 is a good starting pint. What did you have in mind? Soft corals, LPS or SPS corals or a combination?

I am working on a 29g sps reef. I have 3X 425 plus my return will be 450GPH in DT. This is equal to about 69X turnover when you you think of how much space is being taken up by rock. I would say I have about 25g of actual water in my DT.

 

Probably soft and LPS, no SPS.

I was also thinking I could put a smaller hydor on the side where the return is and put the 425 on the opposite and try to do "push and pull" motion with the hydors via a wavemaker. I also have a little penguin doing 170gph right now that I could also incorporate if needed.

 

with the wave maker running the two 425's i think you will be set. you can always add a 240 or another 425 later if needed.

 

Good point about the wideness versus narrowness. I just don't want to create a sandstorm. I could always move them up if needed. I'm also wondering about whether the pumps should be on opposite sides of the tank or put one on the back. Have to keep in mind I don't want them behind the live rock too.

 

The nice thing about powerheads is that they can be moved. i would put them at opposite ends of the tank to start out with. I would for sure point one upwards to get good surface agitation.

 

+1. I would have one point upwards for agitation. The small pump or your return pump will do fine for this.

I would have the powerheads in the tank either aimed towards each other or at a wall/rock so that way the flow in the tank will be more random, rather than direct.

 

Sounds good guys--thanks. I know it will take some tinkering but at least I have a place to start from. I can always use my little penguin powerhead to get the surface agitation too.