Flow question

[Knr499]

I have a 90 gallon with corner overflow, my return pump maximum is 1060gph. I can only run it about 50% or my drain can’t keep up. 1 inch return line and 11/4 drain. I also have 2 power heads running at 1050 each. do I have adequate flow or do I need to get pump up to max.

 

[ZX6Reef]

Hard to tell without seeing your setup or knowing what you are trying to accomplish. I generally don’t pay attention to turnover and focus more on whether or not detritus is being picked up off of the sand and if fish and corals are happy.

 

[Familyman2010]

I have a 90 gallon with corner overflow, my return pump maximum is 1060gph. I can only run it about 50% or my drain can’t keep up. 1 inch return line and 11/4 drain. I also have 2 power heads running at 1050 each. do I have adequate flow or do I need to get pump up to max.

As long as your water quality is good I don’t think it’s necessary even with your pump only at half

 

[Greg P]

Total flow through your sump is, apparently, ideal at about 5.5x your total system volume.
So your system of 90g with whatever sump you have, and calculate 15-20% loss for rocks/sand/not full sump ...
90 DT with 30g sump may only be 75g total volume. So 75x5.5=412gph

Just rough #s but you get the idea

 

[Greg P]

The total flow inside your tank is different from the flow through your sump.

Get your sump flow happy for your skimmer/reactors
Deal with the flow in your DT using powerheads, and based on your corals/sand etc.

Think of it as flow for the sump, and circulation for the tank.

 

[Knr499]

Thanks everyone for input. All seems to be good where it’s at. New setup so only time will tell.

 

[Aqua Man]

Lower flow through your sump will allow a skimmer to be the most effective.

 

[Knr499]

Skimmer working great. Thanks