Refuge flow rate

[boisblancboy]

Ive done lots of research on fuges, for some reason they are extremely interesting to me and I really want to have a successful one. But the one thing that I haven’t found is a consensus of what is a optimal flow rate through the fuge. I’ve seen people that TEE off their return line and have a slow flow and others it’s full flow from the overflow coming from the tank. So does it really not matter? I’d like to have macro algea and copepods.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Ive done lots of research on fuges, for some reason they are extremely interesting to me and I really want to have a successful one. But the one thing that I haven’t found is a consensus of what is a optimal flow rate through the fuge. I’ve seen people that TEE off their return line and have a slow flow and others it’s full flow from the overflow coming from the tank. So does it really not matter? I’d like to have macro algea and copepods.

It all depends on your system. The average turnover is anywhere from 5 to 7 times. However of you're going to implement a system such as the triton method, it suggests a 10 times turnover.

 

[K7BMG]

Yes I agree there is minimal info on flow rates through the fuge.
Honestly I think its subjective over fact.
I have gone Triton and have the V1 Triton 44 sump from Trigger systems.

I have a flow meter on my return pump and average 1,320 Gph.
My system is new and still cycling so I have nothing in the fuge to observe its movement.
That being said the design of the sump seems to have slower water movement than I expected.
Bubbles that have collected on the surface seem to slowly float around and the detritus on the bottom does the same.
Attached is a link to a quick video I just uploaded, because of the light you can't see the detritus on the bottom, but it sits around just like the bubbles.


Though I don't know as fact but "ASSUMED" trigger systems followed Tritons requirements, or worked with Triton to create this sump.