water turnover in a reef

I have a 30 gallon tank with a 10 gallon sump being set up in the next month or so.

I'm slightly confused about water turnover rate. Right now I am FOWLR but will most likely go reef within the year. I've heard 10-20x the total volume of the tank should be turned over per hour. Is this total for all water movement devices combined or for each individual pump/powerhead?

For instance, if I get a Koralia powerhead rated at 750gph could a return pump for the sump rated at 300 gph be enough? Combined that would be about 28x turnover.

I'm in the process of ordering an overflow box and return pump and just want to make sure I get the turnover number figured out before purchasing. Thanks!

 

the turnover is ALL pumps included. Your main return + additional powerheads. Get a return pump that is rated to the draining capacity of your overflow box, and with head pressure it should be just under what the overflow can handle which is what you want. 10-20X would be good enough for softies and most LPS, If you think you might get into SPS in the future, you may want much more flow. Anywhere from 50X to 100X depending on what you want to keep.

http://www.3reef.com/forums/filters-pumps-etc/flow-monsters-99448-3.html

 

The return should run at head 5 to 10 times the sumps volume. The turnover is calculated from the tank's actual volume.

 

I don't think I will be getting SPS.

The overflow box I'm looking at is rated 300gph and the return pump is 320gph at zero feet.

 

Here are a few threads for you to read, then come back and ask about anything you still don't understand. we'll get you squared away and on the right path

http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-aquarium-articles-how-tos/basics-flow-78711.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-aquarium-articles-how-tos/basics-filtration-79766.html#post779781

http://www.3reef.com/forums/new-hobby/how-setup-saltwater-aquarium-89044.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/new-hobby/ultimate-newbie-guide-86462.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/reef-aquarium-articles-how-tos/all-about-sumps-filters-fuges-79852.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/protein-skimmers/all-about-skimmers-skimmers-skimmer-85389.html

http://www.3reef.com/forums/general-reef-topics/handy-research-links-89299.html