Is my return pump strong enough?
- Thread starter Cflip
- Start date
- Tagged users None
mcarroll
10K Club member
Fine. (Duplicate answer. 
)
2x to 4x your display volume in actual gallons per hour is all the flow you need to do the job of feeding skimmers and reactors and such.
Most folks end up aiming for the top end of that range, but depending on the pump you want and it's actual capability it's good to know you're fine anywhere in that range. Some pump makers won't have a model that hits right at 4x for example.
Some makers like Lifegard (Quiet One)* even factor in wear and tear and plumbing buildup in their flow charts, so there isn't even a need to "go 5x just in case". The numbers are already appropriately conservative.
*Some less established brands seem to have flow charts that are more optimistic, so caveat emptor applies.
) 2x to 4x your display volume in actual gallons per hour is all the flow you need to do the job of feeding skimmers and reactors and such.
Most folks end up aiming for the top end of that range, but depending on the pump you want and it's actual capability it's good to know you're fine anywhere in that range. Some pump makers won't have a model that hits right at 4x for example.
Some makers like Lifegard (Quiet One)* even factor in wear and tear and plumbing buildup in their flow charts, so there isn't even a need to "go 5x just in case". The numbers are already appropriately conservative.
*Some less established brands seem to have flow charts that are more optimistic, so caveat emptor applies.
Fine. (Duplicate answer.
2x to 4x your display volume in actual gallons per hour is all the flow you need to do the job of feeding skimmers and reactors and such.
Most folks end up aiming for the top end of that range, but depending on the pump you want and it's actual capability it's good to know you're fine anywhere in that range. Some pump makers won't have a model that hits right at 4x for example.
Some makers like Lifegard (Quiet One)* even factor in wear and tear and plumbing buildup in their flow charts, so there isn't even a need to "go 5x just in case". The numbers are already appropriately conservative.
*Some less established brands seem to have flow charts that are more optimistic, so caveat emptor applies.
Wow now that seems low. Answers are all over the board on this I guess. From 300-950 gallons per hour.
mcarroll
10K Club member
Higher numbers are old-school answers or from tanks where they are trying to do some of the display's water movement with the return pump. Not to say that higher flow doesn't work, but it's the most expensive way to achieve flow in the display and it is a little old-fashioned. 
In most situations it's just not advisable.
In most situations it's just not advisable.
mcarroll
10K Club member
Doubtful flow will be the cure.
Lots of questions....brace yourself.
What are the tank's test numbers like, do you know?
And how old is the tank again? (Hard to tell, but looks like it could be newish.)
Lighting? Do you keep coral?
What do you feed?
How do you clean the tank and manage nutrients?
Lots of questions....brace yourself.
What are the tank's test numbers like, do you know?
And how old is the tank again? (Hard to tell, but looks like it could be newish.)
Lighting? Do you keep coral?
What do you feed?
How do you clean the tank and manage nutrients?
The tank is currently in Fallow. Not doing much to it. It was running for years but I changed some rock upgraded lights and added a skimmer. Also have chemi blue in my sump right now. Running after upgrades for about three months.
mcarroll
10K Club member
If this algae bloom is new, these changes may be all the explanation needed...increasing lights and moving rocks/releasing nutrients into the water is sort of a perfect recipe.
It should still settle out in a few weeks. I'd wait to take any action.
Looks like new tank syndrome. Most likely from new rocks being added and those rocks are now cycling. Suck it out and don't let it turn into Cyanobacteria. Keep up with water changes and you will be fine. Going light on feedings will also help.
mcarroll
10K Club member
Dig deeper.
Make sure it's not a problem sand bed.
Make sure your RODI filters are updated.
.
.
Et al.
What lights are you running? What settings? (Take a lux or PAR measurement if you can.)
Make sure it's not a problem sand bed.
Make sure your RODI filters are updated.
.
.
Et al.
What lights are you running? What settings? (Take a lux or PAR measurement if you can.)
Replaced all filters upgraded to a dual membrane RO/DI system. Running 8 hours a day pro led lights with ramp times and two hours of actinic. Tank has been running long enough that this should be gone. Maybe run gfo? Tank is now in fallow so a good time to fix any issues. I know it's not due to overfeeding!
