pump for a 8 x 4 x 2 tank

Atlantis_Reef · Apr 27, 2020

just about to buy a 12,000 LPH return pump what would be the ideal setting speed? i've been out the game for 5 years and can not remember the maths behind it all
it is for a fish only tank i decided not to go reef this time round on my main any help will be great

lapin · Apr 27, 2020

This question has no correct answer Pump is 3200GPH.
You will need to give us more info on the model of the pump, your set up (powerheads, sump, rockwork, type of fish...... ect

Atlantis_Reef · Apr 28, 2020

Ah no tank as of yet. It’s been paid for and on the way it’s just all barebones right now.
I guess it will be more of a trial and error situation I’m thinking I just got 60kg of Marco rock and have about 80kg of dead rock from my previous set up. I just purchased some power heads (maxspect gyre duel pump) fish I’m still in my list on what I want. Right now that is 2,000 fish long so that needs to be cut down.

piranhaman00 · Apr 28, 2020

How many times do you want the tank to turn over?

Atlantis_Reef · Apr 28, 2020

This is the question I am stuck with and was hoping someone could point or push me in a better direction. Due to this being fish only would it need to be a higher turn over or lower turn over than say a mixed reef of similar size? Or do I keep it what a mixed reef would be. My thinking is would my skimmer pull out all the waste effectively on a lower turn over but I feel the main display would house more waste, however if I go too fast the skimmer(s) would miss a lot of water and then still waste being pushed back into the tank potentially. A sweet spot I feel would be hard for anyone I guess.

Ps the return pump is a TMC

sharpimage · Apr 28, 2020

Just plug it in and turn it down or up after it is running.

jda · Apr 28, 2020

That size is in the ballpark. Hook it up and then you can move the flow to your desire. I would probably use about a 3000 GPH pump in that tank, just not DC since I will want it to last a while.

I like to be about 8x turnover on a fish only tank.

I do not have any experience with that pump since I don't live across the pond, but if it is cheap DC, then get a second one to have on hand. If it is high quality (expensive) DC, then it might last a while.