Return Flow for SPS

[marvelousone]

How much flow for the return do I need for SPS tank. Would it be 5%,10%.20% or more turn over. What is everyone that has a predominantly SPS tank run their turn over rate at.

 

[tdileo]

Triton recommendation is 10x+. Personally I think anything above 5 is good but definitely wouldn’t do any lower.

 

[cwalton00]

You talking return in the sump or flow in the tank?

 

[marvelousone]

I am talking about turn over. The amount of gph that is drained down to sump and returned back to the tank.

 

[bif24701]

Triton recommendation is 10x+. Personally I think anything above 5 is good but definitely wouldn’t do any lower.

Triton’s said recommendation is for refugium flow, not directly related to sump flow.

OP, you need just enough return flow to feed and or process enough water for you filtration systems. What skimmer you have, are you running a refugium, reactors? You need to also account for head pressure lose and ensure your display drain will accommodate that amount for drainage.
There is no set value for return flow. The choice is based on a number of factors.

 

[marvelousone]

I do have a refugium. Lifereef svs30 skimmer.

 

[bif24701]

I do have a refugium. Lifereef svs30 skimmer.

About 10x the display volume per hour through the refugium. Since your is separate that should be easy.
Determine what the rate of water your skimmer pumps and ensure that the flow through that section is at least 1.5X the flow of skimmer pump.