Flow for 40 breeder mixed reef

[kred47]

Hey all,

trying to setup flow for 40 breeder. My return pump is 900gph. It looks extremely strong in the tank, and it seems my clowns are having trouble managing it. I want to add SPS and more LPS in the future so I want my turnover to be 35-40x, but I want my fish to be able to swim comfortably. My current flow setup is the first picture, my thought is the second. In the second I figure if I position the flows into eachother it will help make the tank more calm for the fish but create a gyre pattern for the corals. Please let me know how people set up their flow.
Numbers are gph and arrows indicate flow direction.

 

[MichaelP]

You don’t mention what powerheads you are going with but something like an Mp10 opposite of the return would be a good starting point and you can always add another smaller one down the line if there are dead spots.

 

[kred47]

You don’t mention what powerheads you are going with but something like an Mp10 opposite of the return would be a good starting point and you can always add another smaller one down the line if there are dead spots.

Can’t afford an MP10. I was thinking of the hygger mini power head (1200gph) with controller. It’s 70 bucks on amazon

 

[BanjoBandito]

The return pump is 900 gph???? That's a lot for that size tank. The old standby is to buy two powerheads and just point them at each other on opposite sides. I would consider AC pumps instead of a cheaper DC pump as DCs are usually troublesome in the long run and the AC will run forever. You could get 2 250-350 gph AC heads for under 80 would be my guess. Are you running a sump? Be careful with a return pump that size on that tank, you could dry up the return reservoir pretty easy...

 

[kred47]

The return pump is 900 gph???? That's a lot for that size tank. The old standby is to buy two powerheads and just point them at each other on opposite sides. I would consider AC pumps instead of a cheaper DC pump as DCs are usually troublesome in the long run and the AC will run forever. You could get 2 250-350 gph AC heads for under 80 would be my guess. Are you running a sump? Be careful with a return pump that size on that tank, you could dry up the return reservoir pretty easy...

Yes I’m running a sump. It’s a 25 gallon sump so I’m not too worried about it running dry. So would a 700 gph head work well you think?

 

[BanjoBandito]

Yes I’m running a sump. It’s a 25 gallon sump so I’m not too worried about it running dry. So would a 700 gph head work well you think?

return pump ratings can be skewed due to head pressure. So if the sump is below the tank and there isn't any 90 degree elbows it's pretty true to flow rating. Once you get over 6'-ish of pipe and have a few 90 elbows in there, then it gets complicated to get the correct flow numbers. I'm assuming you are a straight shot to your sump so the flow rating should be pretty true. On a tank that size I would think a 500-675 gph pump would be plenty. I also would try and get a reliable AC pump/brand and not go super cheap. That's about the only thing I won't skimp on....a good return pump.

 

[BanjoBandito]

I will say if you do use the 900 gph return pump you mentioned, get a splitter for the return out because the returns are pretty narrow and just kinda make a stream of water coming out.