Gph turnover questions.

jeff5347 · Jul 10, 2013

Hey guys, I have been wondering something. Getting all my equipment in lone for my first marine tank. From what I have read you need 10x the turn over of the the water quantity. I'm installing a 45 g w a 20g sump underneath. Now the question. Is all that turnover (650g) to be done by the overflow, meaning cycling 650 thru my sump? Or does that mean overflow+power heads+ any other circulation device? If I had 300gph in the sump to DT, x amount from power heads and other circulation's to equal or surpass 650 would that work ad well. Kinda stumped in that area.

Jeff

Reefing Madness · Jul 10, 2013

I don't count flow coming from the Sump, as this you don't want to direct or manipulate the flow, you want this unrestricted.
I'd only count the DT for your total volume for GPH. So, I'd go with 2 240g Nano powerheads.

jeff5347 · Jul 10, 2013

Really, I guess coming from FW a lot is different. OK so for gph turnover subtract or don't count the sump to DT as gph flow... So if i had 2 Koralia 1050's http://www.hydor.com/prodotti/show/famprod/46/list/14
would that mean I have 2100gph of flow... Or is a better way to do this have 3 koralia nano 425s to achieve 1275 gph and also having a better chance to remove any dead spots

sredzins · Jul 10, 2013

You have to make sure you have good enough and wide enough flow so there aren't any dead spots. I have 2mp10s on a 50. Each is rated for over 1500 gph but has a really wide flow. Saying a tank needs 10x the capacity turn over is a pretty general statement. Every tank is different. And look at the ocean, the fish and corals experience massive water surges all day.

Reefing Madness · Jul 10, 2013

jeff5347 said:
Really, I guess coming from FW a lot is different. OK so for gph turnover subtract or don't count the sump to DT as gph flow... So if i had 2 Koralia 1050's HYDOR componenti per acquari
would that mean I have 2100gph of flow... Or is a better way to do this have 3 koralia nano 425s to achieve 1275 gph and also having a better chance to remove any dead spots

I like the idea of using 3 425s, that would pretty much cover your bases.

jeff5347 · Jul 10, 2013

sredzins said:
You have to make sure you have good enough and wide enough flow so there aren't any dead spots. I have 2mp10s on a 50. Each is rated for over 1500 gph but has a really wide flow. Saying a tank needs 10x the capacity turn over is a pretty general statement. Every tank is different. And look at the ocean, the fish and corals experience massive water surges all day.

I agree on 10x in a general statement. I've read all the way to 40x gph. Mine will be a fowlr to start and maybe some really hardy corals. I figure in a natural environment there is thousands of gallons of turnover and very harsh turbulence.
On gph Talk, what is a recommended gph turnover thru the over flow and back to the display tank?

Zero Nitrates · Jul 10, 2013

The 3 425's would be great! I don't think you would be disappointed.

AZDesertRat · Jul 10, 2013

You don't count the sump volume as total volume for system turnover, only the display volume. Generally you should have about 3 to 5x you display volume coming from your sump, in your case say 150 to 250 GPH, with the additional turnover from powerheads, a closed loop or other devices. 10x is probably low for a reef tank, depending on what you intend to keep a trunover of 30-50x is not at all uncommon. I'm between 35 and 40x on my 100G mixed reef myself.
Using multiple powerheads like the Evolutions Nano 425 is a good practice as it gives you more random flows to keep detritus in suspension and most corals and fish love the flows. Another advantage of the Nano 425 is they are controllable by anything from an appliance timer to a controler like a Reefkeeper Lite if you decide to go that way. Most powerheads are not built for starts and stops so are not controllable.
Another inexpensive option is the new Jebao WP-25 powerheads with their built in controller, very inexpensive and good reviews from everyone so far, myself included.

jeff5347 · Jul 10, 2013

So I could go w 2 750s and one 425. That would give me between 40-50x gph. How would you guys mount them. I know every tank layout is different but was think one 750 high and angled to the back to flush out junk from Behind the rocks, another750 opposite and a bit lower aiming straight across and a 425 same side as the behind the rock aiming slightly off angle to the mid 750. That's just a rough idea til I actually get them and place them to see the effect

Reefing Madness · Jul 10, 2013

Sounds like a plan. You'll be the better judge after they've been up for a bit. You can always adjust them if you see any dead spots.

AZDesertRat · Jul 10, 2013

The 750's are physically pretty big and may not look good in a 45G tank.
Here is a photo of the 425 and a 1400(the 550, 750, 1050 and 1400 all share the same body with different impellers) along with the Jebao WP-40 and WP-25 for size comparisons.

I think the Jebao WP-25 is a great choice for physical size, performance and price. It has better flow than the 1400 but half the size and only a little larger than the Nano 425 but with tons of adjustability and modes to run it in and probably about the same price as the 750. And you could easily get away with two pumps rather than three and have better flows.

jeff5347 · Jul 10, 2013

AZDesertRat said:
The 750's are physically pretty big and may not look good in a 45G tank.
Here is a photo of the 425 and a 1400(the 550, 750, 1050 and 1400 all share the same body with different impellers) along with the Jebao WP-40 and WP-25 for size comparisons.

I think the Jebao WP-25 is a great choice for physical size, performance and price. It has better flow than the 1400 but half the size and only a little larger than the Nano 425 but with tons of adjustability and modes to run it in and probably about the same price as the 750. And you could easily get away with two pumps rather than three and have better flows.

Yea the wp25s look hook. I would like enough space for the rock and gmfish as well. Haha

pickupman66 · Jul 10, 2013

If it were me... I would get my hands on a pair of the WP25s. WHY?

I have a pair of the 40's on my 180. I have one is wave mode and the other in a random mode. this gives a very randomized flow pattern in my 180 and I still get a wave bounce in some corals. Overall with my 180, I have between 30x and 40x (7200GPH) with 1000 GPH of that being from the sump.

jeff5347 · Jul 10, 2013

pickupman66 said:
If it were me... I would get my hands on a pair of the WP25s. WHY?

I have a pair of the 40's on my 180. I have one is wave mode and the other in a random mode. this gives a very randomized flow pattern in my 180 and I still get a wave bounce in some corals. Overall with my 180, I have between 30x and 40x (7200GPH) with 1000 GPH of that being from the sump.

Do you guys work for jebao Lol. That's impressive gph w 2 ph's . I like the small footprint as well. OK well those have been added to the list of equip needed. The power heads haven't had any problems or troubles. Also do they need to b cleaned. Meaning does salt build up slow there flow?

pickupman66 · Jul 10, 2013

if they are under water, you wont have any balt buildup on them just coralline. you may want to soak them annually in vinegar. I have had ZERO issues out of mine.

AZDesertRat · Jul 10, 2013

Powerheads will get corraline, calcium build up and plain old grunge on and in them and need to be cleaned occasionally. I soak mine in undiluted distilled white vinegar for about an hour 3 or 4 times a year is all and they come out looking like new. The 1400 and Nano in the photo are both several years old and had just been soaked in vinegar for about 30 minutes beforehand.