Adjustable Return Pump - How Much Flow Do I Need?

[JohnPH]

Hi, I have a Reefer 350 tank with an adjustable flow DC return pump. I'm trying to silence my tank a little more and the main noise ATM is coming from the water flowing through the filter sock and media basket and on into the rest of the sump.

I can turn my pump speed down which might help but how much flow do I need? Assuming I have good movement in the tank itself (which I do thanks to two MP40s) and that the water is moving through the sump, is that all I need or should I aim to keep the flow rate high through the sump?

Thanks

 

[lapin]

The sump is basicly a filter chamber. While you want water going thru it it does not have to be a lot since you have the powerheads. 5x is std. Some have more and some have less. As long as you have good surface skimming in the main tank, your ok. So your tank is about 75 gallons with a bit for the sump, lets say 100 gallons. 500 gph should be ok. Not sure what you are running now. Be sure to factor in the head pressure.
This is what they spec,
3000lph (790 gph)

 

[JohnPH]

Thanks Lapin. From what you're saying I think I probably have the flow about right already. I have a TMC Reef pump 4000 which has a max flow rate of 4,000l/h (approx 880 gallons) and it has 20 speed settings. i'm currently running it on level 13. I've not been able to find any specific details on what the flow rate is on each setting but i'm guessing it will be around the 500g mark

 

[lapin]

Can you raise the water level in the sock chamber?
You can try to put some floss in the socks to prevent the whirlpool effect.

 

[JohnPH]

Yep filter floss has made a big difference! Now just getting a very gentle gurgle!

 

[Kol]

Thanks Lapin. From what you're saying I think I probably have the flow about right already. I have a TMC Reef pump 4000 which has a max flow rate of 4,000l/h (approx 880 gallons) and it has 20 speed settings. i'm currently running it on level 13. I've not been able to find any specific details on what the flow rate is on each setting but i'm guessing it will be around the 500g mark

https://www.tropicalmarinecentre.com/en/downloads/files/faqs/REEF-Pump/FAQ_2021_Reef%20Pumps.pdf

 

[TheBear78]

As @lapin says (and you may have already done) put some floss in the socks.
On my RSR 425 I actually lay a square of floss on top of the sock holder which gets flipped over when dirty then binned after about a week. This is with my TMC Reef pump 4000 at level 20 which according to the chart is about 3000 litres/hour with a 3' head.
The only noticeable noise I have in my tank is when the floss moves or clogs and I start to get the classic trickle.

 

[Kol]

As @lapin says (and you may have already done) put some floss in the socks.
On my RSR 425 I actually lay a square of floss on top of the sock holder which gets flipped over when dirty then binned after about a week. This is with my TMC Reef pump 4000 at level 20 which according to the chart is about 3000 litres/hour with a 3' head.
The only noticeable noise I have in my tank is when the floss moves or clogs and I start to get the classic trickle.

My head is about 4 foot. So just Uber a meter. It’s set on level 7. So lv1 is 3000 add 6x 250 -4500. Minis head height 500? So 4000. The chart is not that easy to read. (For me)

 

[Kol]

Thanks Lapin. From what you're saying I think I probably have the flow about right already. I have a TMC Reef pump 4000 which has a max flow rate of 4,000l/h (approx 880 gallons) and it has 20 speed settings. i'm currently running it on level 13. I've not been able to find any specific details on what the flow rate is on each setting but i'm guessing it will be around the 500g mark

https://www.tropicalmarinecentre.com/en/downloads/files/faqs/REEF-Pump/FAQ_2021_Reef%20Pumps.pdf

 

[Thor2j]

I believe that tank has a 25mm return . If that's true you are getting way less flow then you think. As long as you have good turn over in your tank, 3x from return pump is plenty.