What gph flow for a 180g or 220g reef?

Pike614 · #1 11/12/2007, 08:17 PM

I am looking for a new pump for either a 180g reef or 220g reef...not sure yet on tank size. What would be the recommended flow for these tanks? 1000gph, 2000gph?
Thanks

DrBegalke · #2 11/12/2007, 08:20 PM

around 4,000gph total turnover.
more if you want sps, possibly less if you are going with low flow corals or FO.

Hop · #3 11/12/2007, 08:23 PM

Flow for what? Closed loop, powerheads or sump return? 3-5 times the display volume per hour through the sump and the rest through powerheads and closed loops. I would start at 30X turnover to start and go from there... Upwards of 50-70X turnover is not unheard of for BB tanks...

Pike614 · #4 11/12/2007, 08:32 PM

Sorry, I meant through the sump first of all, but also total flow in the tank. I am looking at the reeflo pumps and am considering one of them as the return pump. What would be a good flow rate through a 125g sump?
This will be a mixed reef, some SPS, but mostly LPS/Zoas and fish.
thanks!

frazier · #5 11/12/2007, 08:36 PM

I have a dart for return loop and a hammerhead for CL.. working great

Hop · #6 11/12/2007, 08:42 PM

To make the system efficient, 3-5 times the display valume per hour. So rounding to a 200 gallon tank, 600-1000 gph. I have 700 going through my 125 gallon sump for my 190 gallon tank.

Increasing the flow through the sump makes the system less efficient. I'm sure one of the "as much flow as you can go guys" will be along shortly...

But keep in mind that it's easy to waste electricity in this hobby and throw tons of band-aids on your system. It may look cool, but it's not efficient. Your skimmer is likely rated at a flow through rate about 1.5 to 2Xs the system volume per hour, so going over that turnover through the sump decreases efficiency and sends more water that didn't make a pass through the skimmer back to the display. I could go on for quiet a while with reasons to keep the flow through the sump lower, but I don't see a need right now

Pike614 · #7 11/12/2007, 08:47 PM

HOP-
Thanks for the reply. I am trying to be as energy efficient as I can...so I like your thinking...although what do you end up with in your display for powerheads then? DO you have a closed loop also? I do not have a closed loop, so the flow in the tank will be powerheads.

Hop · #8 11/12/2007, 08:51 PM

Well right now I'm running a closed loop that feeds the rock support structure under the rocks to keep stuff from settling at the lower end of the tank and I'm running three korilla 4s, but I will upgrade those to vortecs when I can afford it

When I designed my system, I tried to utilize efficiency and keep crud out of the tank and put it in the skimmer... So far, it's working really well. Sometimes smart flow is better than massive flow

twon8 · #9 11/12/2007, 08:54 PM

i use an ocean runner 3500 on a 180, it is more than enough through the overflow.

Pike614 · #10 11/12/2007, 09:07 PM

OK,
I was considering the Korilas also but was trying to avoid the power cables being visible...maybe I could hide them in PVC or in the rockwork somehow. Is there any way to have a closed loop without drilling the back of the tank?

Hop · #11 11/12/2007, 09:11 PM

There is, but when you start hitting the flow requirements of a 180, it's better to have it drilled, or look into tunze or vortecs. You may find interest in my thread... If you are that bored

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1216418

The korillas may be a great choice once they come out with the controller, right now I would classify them as an OK choice. And you really can't see any power-cords anywhere in my system...

tbone28 · #12 11/12/2007, 10:28 PM

I run a Velocity T3 (~800gph) through my sump, and use (2) tunze 6201's inside the display

VaderWS6 · #13 11/12/2007, 10:35 PM

I've got a 700gph pump in my sump, but in the aquarium I've got 4 1600gph maximods wreaking havoc.

Can't have too much flow, as long as its controlled.

POST # 1000 !!!!

Hop · #14 11/12/2007, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by VaderWS6
I've got a 700gph pump in my sump, but in the aquarium I've got 4 1600gph maximods wreaking havoc. Can't have too much flow, as long as its controlled.

POST # 1000 !!!!

congrats!

mg426 · #15 11/13/2007, 01:24 AM

If you can direct feed your skimmer that really helps with its efficiancy.

Hop · #16 11/13/2007, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mg426
If you can direct feed your skimmer that really helps with its efficiancy.

Can you elaborate a little more? Just making sure we are all on the same page! Thanks

mg426 · #17 11/13/2007, 01:57 AM

When I designed my system, I tried to utilize efficiency and keep crud out of the tank and put it in the skimmer... So far, it's working really well. Sometimes smart flow is better than massive flow

I was only adding to what you said in regard to efficiancy. This helped me out quite a bit.

Hop · #18 11/13/2007, 02:02 AM

No worries

I was just confused on the flow part... As to whether direct feeding the skimmer was proportional to the 3-5 times the system volume or higher per hour

Pike614 · #19 11/13/2007, 08:11 AM

Great info guys, thanks for the help...also nice site HOP...I was about to email and ask if you had pics of your set-up.....I found them, and a couple hours later I finally went to bed! Good read and good info! Thanks!!