Tank water turnover 1" and3/4" bulkheads - How much turnover for sps

W

waterbeing

Premium Member
[Okay,
A few questions if someone can provide input?
1. I've seen recommendations on turnover rates of 5-10 times/hr for a reef tank. Does anyone REALLY measure their turnover or do most of us just estimate it based on what the flow of the current pump is supposed to be?
2. Since I've read that 1" bulkheads only pass 600 gals/hr, and even double overflow tanks would only be able to pass 1200 gals/hr, how is it possible to get a 120-200 gal tank to meet that?
3. I know if the bulkheads are 1 1/2" that would certainly help, but I can't find flow rates for 3/4" tubing. Does someone have a source of flow rates for PVC, reinforced plastic flex, and normal plastic flex (if differenc than revinforced) in various sizes( 3/4", 1" , 1 1/2").
4. It is true that if ANY joint/valve/connector point in the line drops to the next lower size, that everything must be calculated at the lower size?]
 
[Marc,

So you feel the 10X turnover is display only? If the total was say 3-5x and powerheads,etc gave another 3-5x, you would theorically reach the 10x turnover? That is why it is/has always been so confusing to hear the multiple/conflicting turnover rates that I know some of the large reef tanks have and yet 'seem' to be turning over well. Thanks for input. Any ideas on hyperlinks/discussions on tube sizing/type?]
 
[Your turnover rate is the total sum of all pumps moving water in your tank. The main pump, skimmer pump, power heads, closed loop, refugium pump, the total of all pumps. My 215gal. actually has a Iwaki that only pumps 960gph to the return. I am not that concerned about the return pump, I want the most flow in the tank it self.]
 
[I believe in 20X in the main tank via a closed loop. Flow via the sump/refugium whatever you want, I donno. I have a 55G with 900GPH on it now. (700 of which is via a SQUID) I wish I had a little more. I have some softies that aren't growing as well due to being in the corners.

SPS LOVE the flow. Most everything loves good flow!
Put in a closed loop for all your flow, and make it 20X. So if you have a 10G tank in my "opinion" you should have 200GPH flow on it.

My 2 cents. :tongue:]
 
[20x, 30x or more... the more you have, the better. That is why people are getting rid of their sand beds, so they can move so much water that the tissue is almost tearing off the coral skeletons nowadays. :uhoh:

10x is the minimum. And a closed loop removed the need for mulitiple powerheads in the tank. Check out www.oceansmotions.com as they have a neat unit.]
 
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