Return Pump Flow

[rrichardsmn]

First time setup and trying to get things figured out in the next few weeks. I have been playing around with my adjustable Varios 4 pump and am trying to understand the advantages of running it at higher vs lower speed. Tank is 90 Gallons with about 30 more in sump. Seems that the Varios can do 1000 GPH to 2000 GPH. Both seem plenty for this size tank, but is more better? At 1000GPH, does that mean I will be circulating all of the water 10X per hour?

 

[JMetaxas]

If those are the rated flow rates, more likely than not, you're not actually getting anything that high after you consider head loss due to head height and restrictions through piping.

However, even if you ran it at it's lowest setting with expected loss, you're still turning over your tank volume quite well.

 

[rrichardsmn]

Ok - that makes sense. When turning it up, I just open my return flow more to make up for the added water. Is there a proper flow I should be attempting, or a way to know if it is correct? Should I run it at higher speed just because it can do it? Sorry for all the questions, but I am just trying to avoid some of the newbie issues as best as I can.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I never worried about flow rate as trying to get to a certain number....it is what it is. What determines your return pump flow is your overflow....how much can it handle? I also have a 90 gallon DT with a 50 gallon sump, and an overflow rated at 1500 gph. What I do is adjust the return pump so that it's about halfway up the sawteeth on the overflow. I could raise it higher, but my little brain is happy when only half the teeth are covered.....a safety factor in my mind. I have no idea what the flow rate is, but everyone is happy.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Quieter is better. Lol!
Its personal prefrence imo. Yes more flow in the display. It wont matter fast or slow moving water through your filtration. It will filter what it will filter.
Hths. Lol
D

 

[mike550]

@rrichardsmn as @JMetaxas points out you won’t get that flow due to head loss. But to your question i think the minimum flow (in terms of cycling your water through the sump) is supposed to be at least 3x / hour (?).

That said, I adjusted the flow in my return pump to the point that the sump couldn’t handle the flow (started going through the overflow slots) and then backed off the flow until things looked pretty much under control. I’m guessing that I’m around 8x / hour. If you’re running a fleece filter that might also flow you can have.

 

[theMeat]

Would shoot for around 3-5 x display tank volume per hour through sump/return pump. You’ll need more flow than that in tank, you achieve that with circulation pumps/wave makers.
What type drain do you have? What size pipes?

 

[rrichardsmn]

I have a 1 inch drain that I am restricting flow even on level 1 in a herbie setup with a 3/4 emergency. I dialed it in so it is just barely flowing over the 3/4. I also set the pump to level 5 and opened the drain more to get the exact same setup. I guess I am just trying to understand advantages/disadvantages to each option. Is there a reason not to run it higher flow?

 

[theMeat]

I have a 1 inch drain that I am restricting flow even on level 1 in a herbie setup with a 3/4 emergency. I dialed it in so it is just barely flowing over the 3/4. I also set the pump to level 5 and opened the drain more to get the exact same setup. I guess I am just trying to understand advantages/disadvantages to each option. Is there a reason not to run it higher flow?

The older way of thinking was 10x display. The newer thinking is 3-5x. Any more going through sump than the skimmer can process is kind of a waste, imo. A slower flow throu refugium section is helpful too. Lets debris settle there and running sockless and still having clear water becomes more doable.
On my 220 have been doing 2-3x display volume for a decade now, and sockless for 9 1/2.
Cleaning socks 2x a week gets old, and can’t imagine a single advantage to going back to 10x tank volume.

 

[mike550]

The older way of thinking was 10x display. The newer thinking is 3-5x. Any more going through sump than the skimmer can process is kind of a waste, imo. A slower flow throu refugium section is helpful too. Lets debris settle there and running sockless and still having clear water becomes more doable.
On my 220 have been doing 2-3x display volume for a decade now, and sockless for 9 1/2.
Cleaning socks 2x a week gets old, and can’t imagine a single advantage to going back to 10x tank volume.

Are you talking flow In the display or flow through sump? There was a recent thread that suggested 10X display turnover (think powerheads and gyres) and 3X turnover through the return pump.


Thread 'Ideal Turnover Rate'
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/ideal-turnover-rate.801660/

 

[rrichardsmn]

Thanks - so with 2 Nero 5's (3000 GPH), plus the Varios at even 800 gph should be well over 10X. At this point the exact amount is probably not that important, but I understand the value in not flushing through sump as quickly.

 

[Uncle99]

I run only 3x for return, I like longer contact time in the sump area.
I run an additional 40x in wavemakers.

 

[theMeat]

Are you talking flow In the display or flow through sump? There was a recent thread that suggested 10X display turnover (think powerheads and gyres) and 3X turnover through the return pump.


Thread 'Ideal Turnover Rate'
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/ideal-turnover-rate.801660/

Turn over through sump, via return pump is what I meant on my post. Add that into what your circulation pumps/wave makers are doing for “flow’ in your tank. It doesn’t have to be precise, and every tank is dif. Imo for fowlr 10x (combined) is likely fine. For sps you probably want 20x or more

 

[rrichardsmn]

Thanks all - I am going to get started and see how it all looks.