Overflow box/ Return pump question

I was looking at the flow chart for the rio 2100 and the 2800ss at 4ft. The 2100 is 375 GPH and the 2800ss is 642 GPH. If I did the 2100 then that would mean that I turn over the tank a little more than 6X. If I got the 2800ss the I would turn over my tank 10X with the ball valve on it. Should I go with the 2100 or the 2800ss. On ebay I can get the 2800ss for like $6.00 more than the 2100. Is the 2800ss overkill?

 

no - better to go larger and dial back with a ball valve.

6X turnover is not enough even for soft corals.

10X turnover is also not enough for most corals - you might want to consider adding a few powerheads to your setup for some water flow.

You want a minimum of 20X turnovers in your system.

 

I am going to add 2 800 GPH wavemakers in the DT. With that, should I go with the 2100 or the 2800ss

 

Still go bigger - especially for only a few more dollars. For the most part, bigger is better in this hobby - bigger tank, bigger skimmer, bigger coral, etc.

 

ok. So I am going to get the eshopps pf800, with 800 GPH, the rio 2800ss at 4ft gives me 642 GPH and 2 800 GPH wave makers inside the DT. Did I finally get the right combination? I hope so.

 

Sounds like a recipe for success!!!!

 

finally. Thanks to all who have posted and helped me. Now it's time to order everything.

 

Why does the water need to be screaming through his sump at this rate though? Adding a couple powerheads would give him better overall water circulation in the DT (and cut down on bubbles).

If the minimum is 20x turnover, let the sump do 3-4x, then powerheads do 10-20x each.

 

personally I feel that flow from a smaller space in the DT is one of the benefits to this type of system, also you don't want your skimmers and chemical filtration running water they have already run so you want a good bit of turn over in your sump.

 

I already ordered evrything I listed. I will be putting a ball valve on the pump, so I can slow it down, if I need to.