How much circulation and where

Discussion in 'General Reef Topics' started by Michaelr5, May 24, 2005.

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  1. Michaelr5

    Michaelr5 Coral Banded Shrimp

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2005
    Messages:
    370
    Location:
    Noblesville, IN,Indiana
    I finally went out last weekend and bought my LR, so now I have a FOWLR setup. I did not see a specific Water Flow category so I will post here.

    In my FO setup I had a powerhead pointing to the surface for agitation. And my skimmer and HOT filter returns seemed to provide plenty of movement. I know that the LR needs circulation over it, so I turned my PwrHd upside down, moved it to the bottom and directed the flow across and front to back on the rock. I put another PwrHd I had (400 gph) at the other end of the tank in the same manner. Now I seem to have a large dead spot on the surface at the end of the tank opposite the filter return. Should I get a couple more PwrHds and move the surface with them? I will be going to a sump eventually, with a spraybar across the full lenght of the tank. But what in the meantime?
     
    Last edited: May 24, 2005
    Michaelr5, May 24, 2005
    Michaelr5, May 24, 2005
    #1

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  2. Black_Raven

    Black_Raven Scooter Blennie

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2004
    Messages:
    1,220
    Location:
    Woodbury, MN,Minnesota
    I run a little over 20g/hr per gallon of tank. This is only a rough guide depending on how you have your tank set up.
     
    Black_Raven, May 25, 2005
    Black_Raven, May 25, 2005
    #2
  3. Jason McKenzie

    Jason McKenzie Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2003
    Messages:
    5,538
    Location:
    Vancouver, BC,Canada
    For My Reef Tank, this is my flow right now
    MAG 12 return flows across the back and down( 1200GPH throttled back to about 900gph)
    2X Maxi Jet 1200 1 on each end (290gph each)
    2X Maxi Jet 1200 on the back facing toward the front and down (290gph each)

    Total flow is 2060 gph
    this is for a SPS dominant tank BTW


    J
     
    Jason McKenzie, May 25, 2005
    Jason McKenzie, May 25, 2005
    #3
  4. mmakay

    mmakay Feather Duster

    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2004
    Messages:
    222
    Location:
    Santa Clara, CA
    For a FOWLR setup, I think you have plenty of flow. I would redirect something to make sure the surface is turbulant, though. That will help with oxygen exchange.

    FWIW, my 175g has somewhere between 2000-3000gph flow. All coming from a single Reeflo Hammerhead (rated for 6000gph @ 0' head).

    You'll note that most folks don't bother to account for plumbing losses in their estimates; they simply adding up the rated flows of all their powerheads and return pumps. In reality, return pumps from the sump usually put out considerably less than their rated flow due to pumping the water back up (head), and most powerheads are overrated to begin with. That's not a knock on anybody, mind you, just something to keep in mind if you redesign your tank in the future.
     
    mmakay, May 25, 2005
    mmakay, May 25, 2005
    #4