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View Full Version : recommended flow rate....


diablo30xp
05/29/2009, 08:15 AM
what is the recommened flow rate of each power head for a 55g reef tank? i am going to be purchasing a couple of them and want to make sure i get the right ones for the flow it needs...

OneReef
05/29/2009, 08:19 AM
Depends on what you are keeping in the tank, livestock wise

phenom5
05/29/2009, 08:24 AM
Depends on what you want to keep.

Generally speaking, for a most reef tanks you'll be fine with 20x-25x turnover in your display.

If you are looking to keep SPS you'll want a minimum of 30x turnover in your display.

You probably want to be moving ~5x turnover through your sump (if you have a sump), so you'll be looking at 15x-20x turnover in your display from powerheads if you're shooting for 20x-25x turnover. A couple of 400gph-600gph powerheads would be good, unless your planning on SPS.

Sisterlimonpot
05/29/2009, 08:26 AM
How much are you looking to spend on pumps?

diablo30xp
05/29/2009, 08:31 AM
i am looking at getting 2 1300gph wave makers and i am going to have some sps lps and zoas and i have a couple of damsels and chromis and one clown in the tank already. would these be good to use with it or to high of output?

Sisterlimonpot
05/29/2009, 08:37 AM
The rule of thumb as posted above is just that…a rule of thumb. 30X for an SPS tank is just the starting point. I've read that people go to 75 -100X turn over and even more.

In short I don't think there could ever be too much flow. Realistically of course.

diablo30xp
05/29/2009, 08:46 AM
so would 1300gph a piece be to much..i am a little laim when it comes to terms on things like 30x turn over and things like that sry..lol...

phenom5
05/29/2009, 08:51 AM
What exactly are you looking at getting?

As Sisterlimonpot (that name makes me chuckle :lol: ) pointed out, those turnover rates are general "rules", more guidelines really. I don't think it's too much, good random flow is more often then not a good thing.

diablo30xp
05/29/2009, 08:53 AM
as in live stock or powerheads?

Sisterlimonpot
05/29/2009, 08:53 AM
Gotcha. On a 55 gallon tank you want at least 30X turn over. So what that means is 55 X 30=1630GPH. So you’re going to get 2 1300GPH which is 2600 GPH which in a 55 gallon tank that's roughly 86 times turn over. So yes with those 2 pumps you'll be able to keep SPS with that flow.

phenom5
05/29/2009, 08:59 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15097121#post15097121 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by diablo30xp
as in live stock or powerheads?

Powerheads.

You mentioned wave makers, so I wasn't sure if you were talking powerheads, or a wave box of some sort. Just curious.

diablo30xp
05/29/2009, 09:02 AM
ok thx everyone i do appreciate the help very much....now i know a little more than i have b4 and every little bit helps thx again.

Sisterlimonpot
05/29/2009, 09:29 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15097164#post15097164 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by phenom5
Powerheads.

You mentioned wave makers, so I wasn't sure if you were talking powerheads, or a wave box of some sort. Just curious. I don't know anything about that brand either. I was hoping someone would chime in with some experience with those PH.