Sump flow

[DanH86]

Week 3 of my cycle now so I’m starting to make sure everything will be right for when the tank gets stocked. One of my concerns is flow through the sump. How can you tell if it is high enough? Is there a rule of thumb that people use or is that if the levels are good, your flow is good?

Red Sea reefer 250 v3 sump
Jebao dcp4000 set to 60%
Return chamber 6” deep
Weir level just below emergency drain
Sump level 8” deep

 

[DanH86]

Some pics in case it helps (video upload fails). Bubble trap is a concern to me, should I lower level to make it more covered?

 

[lapin]

The flow rate thru the sump is not all that important. Used to be high flow then low flow , now its whatever floats your boat. Really depends on what you have in your sump. Faster sometimes = more noise. You need enough water in the skimmer chamber so its at the proper level. You also do not want the return pump to run dry or your sump to overflow when the pump is off.

 

[Lorenzo Angotti]

I use an air stone by my Refugium just to break the water surface and add a little oxygen for any Copepods or other beneficial crustaceans.

 

[mta_morrow]

The best advice I ever got for sump flow came from the best coral grower I ever met. 1000 gallons of frags.

All you need is enough flow for the heater to not over heat.

 

[DanH86]

Thanks all! I was under the impression it was important so thanks for removing that worry. Since my levels are nicely set for skimmer and return pump I’ll not change anything.