what kind of flow for a BB?

glxtrix · #1 01/27/2006, 10:21 AM

ok, I'm setting up a 30 gal BB and possibly adding a 10g sump to it, to hide the heater, skimmer and what ever, so with a total of 40g what kind of return pump should I have? I have an external overflow with I think a 1" bulkhead. I'm also thinking of adding a SCWD as well. What kind of pump do you reccommend for that too? I just want to make sure I have proper flow. Thanks.

Lee

NoSchwag · #2 01/27/2006, 10:34 AM

I'd say proper flow all depends on what your skimmer can remove, and how well it can remove it.

If you have a ton of flow in the tank and the skimmer isn't removing it, it's almost better to have not so much flow so that piles will form and will be easy to siphon.

Flow for the sake of flow will raise your nutrients if your skimmer isn't removing it or you dont have a sandbed to sink it.

IMO you should be more concerned with removing the crap rather than just blowing it around.

What kind of skimmer will you be running??

glxtrix · #3 01/27/2006, 11:50 AM

in the process of making some skimmers, They will be tested for quality, if not so good, I'll be obviously buying something prolly along the lines of a remora or similar.

javajaws · #4 01/28/2006, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by NoSchwag
I'd say proper flow all depends on what your skimmer can remove, and how well it can remove it.

In addition to a skimmer you can use filter socks (changed out every 2-3 days) to catch all that detritus.

NoSchwag · #5 01/28/2006, 11:27 AM

Yup you definitely can if you have enough filter socks to do that and you don't mind washing them.

2 days might be okay, but I am pretty sure 3 days is too long to go with a filter sock.

boxfishpooalot · #6 01/28/2006, 11:29 AM

In one half of my bb tank, I need 2400gph of powerfull velocity pump(powerhead) and so does the other side. My tank is 6 feet long 125gallon.

glxtrix · #7 01/28/2006, 11:32 AM

thank god I only have a 30 gal

REEF-DADDY · #8 01/28/2006, 11:38 AM

Are you going to try and get all your flow through the return? You actually want your overflow to match your skimmers gph within reason. You don't want to shoot 1200 gph through the sump and only have a 300 gph skimmer. You should look into a closed loop or a couple seio 1500's.

glxtrix · #9 01/28/2006, 11:39 AM

im going with a SCWD CL with a MAG7 on it and from the sump have a MAG5 for the return.

REEF-DADDY · #10 01/28/2006, 12:35 PM

I think your in good shape, if you don't have the mag 7 I would think about a 9. That would give you 30x turn over after head loss. The mag 7 will end up giving you about 500 after the squid.

glxtrix · #11 01/28/2006, 12:43 PM

yes I already have the 7, thanks tho, if it ever takes a dump, I'll look into getting the 9.

dastratt · #12 01/28/2006, 12:44 PM

The MAG7 will only be good for about 20x tank vol so that won't do on its own.

glxtrix · #13 01/28/2006, 12:56 PM

the 7 is for the scwd and I have a 5 for the return.

raddogz · #14 01/28/2006, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NoSchwag
I'd say proper flow all depends on what your skimmer can remove, and how well it can remove it.

If you have a ton of flow in the tank and the skimmer isn't removing it, it's almost better to have not so much flow so that piles will form and will be easy to siphon.

Flow for the sake of flow will raise your nutrients if your skimmer isn't removing it or you dont have a sandbed to sink it.

IMO you should be more concerned with removing the crap rather than just blowing it around. What kind of skimmer will you be running??

The above is so true! I was using an AquaC EV120 that I just wasn't happy with, and changed it over to an ER 6-2+. This isn't a skimmer debate, but I probably pulled less than a quarter cup of stuff from the ev120 vs. a cup+ a day with the exact same return pump and power heads running in my barebottom tank.

glxtrix · #15 01/28/2006, 01:07 PM

good deal. Ok so generally how much larger of a skimmer do you people get vs your tank size?

Tammy3770 · #16 01/28/2006, 01:25 PM

I have a small maxie jet in the back, well I dont know the brand but its square and doesnt have that cone at the bottom.
it is about 5"from the bottom pointing down.
it blows the dirt out of the back so I dont have to worry about it building up back there.
I think that's important in running a bb.
the purpose of a bb is being able to remove the dirt, you cant do that if its all hiding in the back.

boxfishpooalot · #17 01/29/2006, 04:28 AM

my skimmer will* be rated for 400 gallons, on a 125.

raddogz · #18 01/30/2006, 12:56 AM

The skimmer I am using is rated for a 125 to 135 gallon tank. I probably have about 60g total water volume including sump.

glxtrix · #19 01/30/2006, 10:02 AM

coolness, thanks everyone who has helped out.