Refugium flow - advice needed!

[Fisherman Joe]

Hi all.

Got a new 4x2x2 foot tank thanks 600L. Using the triton method I’m aiming 10X turnover (6000l/h target).

With 2 x Vortech M2’s I’m getting 2200l/h at about 80% power (according to the GHL flow sensors) I can’t turn them up as the whine from the pumps bugs me (the tank is next to the dining table).

To help the flow and minimise the noise, I added some egg crate to allow the water to flow around the algae better. See pic.

Question: how do you maintain good flow through your refugium? - with my egg crate fix here, I’m losing an inch of space and my refugium is only 10% my total tank so I’m keen to avoid losing surface area. Should I trim down the egg crate a little more?

Also, if you run triton method? So long as the turnover is high, do you really worry about flow rates?

 

[328 reef]

kind of curious is to why the returns are in the Refugium? I have my reversed, my skimmers and probes are in the Refugium section, and the skimmer and filter floss are in the main tank return section. The water coming into your tank shouldn't kick up all the crud and cheato, in turn dumps it into your skimmer section, then puts wear on the return pumps.

 

[Fisherman Joe]

I’ve set it up accordingly with the instructions on the triton method.

 

[328 reef]

I’ve set it up accordingly with the instructions on the triton method.

ok. I don't use that method. I use Aqua forest component's 1+2+3. check to see if your pump is getting sand in the impeller. that will slow the pumps down.

 

[Fisherman Joe]

Thanks. I will check for that.

The idea with Triton is that the refugium acts like your filter floss. All the free floating detritus feeds your algae and critters. It’s working well but it’s a catch 22.

The algae really slows flow.

 

[ZaneTer]

Hi all.

Got a new 4x2x2 foot tank thanks 600L. Using the triton method I’m aiming 10X turnover (6000l/h target).

With 2 x Vortech M2’s I’m getting 2200l/h at about 80% power (according to the GHL flow sensors) I can’t turn them up as the whine from the pumps bugs me (the tank is next to the dining table).

To help the flow and minimise the noise, I added some egg crate to allow the water to flow around the algae better. See pic.

Question: how do you maintain good flow through your refugium? - with my egg crate fix here, I’m losing an inch of space and my refugium is only 10% my total tank so I’m keen to avoid losing surface area. Should I trim down the egg crate a little more?

Also, if you run triton method? So long as the turnover is high, do you really worry about flow rates?

Hi Joe

Mathematically your measurement of the volume is incorrect. Assuming every available millimeter is used then it is 0.6m x 0.6m x 1.2m = 432L of perfectly full internal volume. You are probably closer to 400L after internal volume losses are accounted for.

I am only pointing this out so that you can accurately size a pump and don’t spend more money than you need to.

Hope it helps.

Zane

 

[Fisherman Joe]

Thanks Zane but after usual a number of different aquarium volume calculators online they all come out at 600L.

Plus when it was delivered there was 600L of saltwater added from the local fish shop and that all went in.

 

[ZaneTer]

No offense but your calculators are lying to you. This is from me - engineer with a masters.

This isn’t hard. Measure your tank in meters and multiply the height, length and width. Then multiply by 1000. You will get 432L

Any other number you get is wrong. I am only trying to help you but I suggest you actually check this for yourself.

 

[ZaneTer]

((L x W x H)*1000
((1.2 x 0.6 x 0.6)*1000

 

[ZaneTer]

The multiplication by 1000 is necessary because you are converting between cubic meters into liters

1 cubic meter = 1000L

 

[ZaneTer]

Thanks Zane but after usual a number of different aquarium volume calculators online they all come out at 600L.

Plus when it was delivered there was 600L of saltwater added from the local fish shop and that all went in.

Joe I will pay to watch you put 600L of water into that tank but I suggest you buy a mop and sponges before you do so.

 

[ZaneTer]

If I were to hazard a guess I think you are converting gallons to liters but you are using imperial gallons (UK) instead of US gallons

UK gallon = 4.546L
US gallon = 3.785L

An easy mistake to make

 

[Fisherman Joe]

Thanks zane. I don’t doubt your expertise, but the local FS had a 1000L tank and it was more than half full.

Interesting. There is also the sump that is 80% the length of the tank.

 

[ZaneTer]

Joe, if your LFS is telling you it is 600L then they are lying to you either by accident or by intention.

Are you UK based?

Also what are the dimensions and fill height of your sump? If you can give me those details we can calculate out the total system volume before losses to sand, liverock and glass.

 

[Fisherman Joe]

The tank is 48x24x30 actually.

The sump is 36x17x12 approx.

 

[ZaneTer]

Well that isn’t 4x2x2 as originally stated but let’s begin.

DT = 540L
Sump = 120L

Total system volume is 660L

You MUST still account for sand, skimmer, rock work and glass. You will probably lose around 100L in total.

 

[Fisherman Joe]

Thanks for that. Like I said it’s 600L approx.

Back to the point at hand, any advice on maintaining good flow in a refugium?

 

[ZaneTer]

Depends what you want. When sizing your return pump you must accommodate for head losses. This could be 20% of the rated flow. You seem to need around 5500lph but you must add on 20% bring your need to around 6600lph.

I personally like DC pumps for their good variable flow rates.

 

[Fisherman Joe]

Thanks Zane.

I have 2 x VORTECH M2 and don’t seem to be able to get to this point.

Not sure what to do.

 

[ZaneTer]

You are welcome Joe.
I’ll have a little read up on those pumps and come back to you.