Fuge flow rate????

[Peppie]

Putting together a 66.5 gal acrylic tank with a 14.5 "HOB" fuge.

What would be a good flow rate. Would it help the cheato if there was a nano PH in the chamber for circulation?

 

[Krish]

I've heard that chaeto likes to tumble, but usually if you have adequet flow rate through the fuge itself a powerhead isn't needed. I think the "theory" if I'm not mistaken behind the tumbling action is that it allows all sides of the chaeto to be exposed to the light rather that just say the top if it sat stationary.

As for flow rate, through a fuge that size, I'd probably say somewhere in the 500 gph range. Atleast that's what I'd probably run. I wouldn't run any less though. Probably between 500-700 knowing me

 

[akunochi]

My fuge is rather large about 40% of a 50 breeder. I have the run off from a Algae turf scrubber running into it which causes it to overflow via displacement back into teh return section. I probably have 200-250 GPH going into it. It seems to be enough flow that the LR/Kenya tress/Xenia and cheato are all doing well. My cheato doesn't grow but I need to trim it about 1 time a month. It started as a baseball sized piece and has since gottent to about the size of a rugby ball.

 

[Peppie]

So if I go by the what the formula that is used on an average for filtration is 10xs the the amount of water in the DT. That is 650gpr. Most say to slow that flow rate thru the fuge to alow the water more contact time with the cheato. I have a maxijett 1200 that will pump approx 400gph. Do you think that would be good.
My thought about the growth rate on the cheato is that if it is tumbling it gets light on all sides helping the growth. If it didnt tumble it would only grow at the top. So now that I think about it the flow rate thru the fuge is only for contact time. Unless you are relying on the flow rate to roll the cheato. If I put a power head in that chamber and installed baffles to circulate the the water into a circular pattern that would produce a happy ball of cheato.

Am I on the right track here guys?

 

[akunochi]

That would probably work, but it will grow on all sides regardless of it it tumbles or not. the 10x per hour formula that is common is more for the skimmer/return section. I personally like to drastically slow the movement through the fuge so i am not removing mass amount of pods etc from it at any given movement. I would think the maxi jett 400 dialed back a bit would be good.

I honestly wouldn't think too hard into the subject. If it looks too fast slow it down..if it is too slow speed it up. Just apply the common sense rule.

 

[Krish]

I agree with Seth. So many arguments for and against fast flow. One is the slower the flow the more time you have for you skimmer to have ashot at incoming water etc but less water passes through the sump per hour. Faster flow and more water passes through your sump each hour but less time for your skimmer to process incoming water etc. Well you get the idea. Like Seth mentioned you can basically always just fine tune it in once you get things running.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Peppie]

You guys are right. Always leave room for plan -B-. I think I will just put a gate valve or ball valve on the exit of a maxijet 900.
The skimmer will not be connected to the fuge. It is a HOB and will run with its own coast to coast overflow.

 

[mfinn]

Many people think that the average flow rate through the sump is 3x to 5x the tank volume. There are many others go with a higher figure. I happen to like the slow rate through mine and have been using it for the 20 or so years I have been using sumps.
My flow rate through sump on my current tank, is about 3.5x the tank volume.
On a smaller sump, I would go with a slower rate.

 

[Peppie]

So no matter what amount of flow I choose I wont be wrong. I think I like. I just looked up the gph on the maxi 900 it is only 230gph at zero head. So will it hurt a maxijet PH if I restrict the output with a ball valve? The 900 would be less than 3x. That seems to slow. I Have a maxi 1200 that would give me the flow closer to 5 to 6 times the DT.
Thanks Guys, I am going to start a build thread for this tank soon. I am drawing up some sketches on hhow I would like it to work. Please pick it apart. I have pretty thick skin. If I am off base or am missing the point on a part of the build. Speak up, and you can be blunt. It is hard to sugar coat facts

 

[mfinn]

So no matter what amount of flow I choose I wont be wrong.

In a round about way, that is correct.
All setups are different. You can only use guide lines,,,,,,,, as guide lines.
Go with them and tweak as needed.

 

[Krish]

In a round about way, that is correct.
All setups are different. You can only use guide lines,,,,,,,, as guide lines.
Go with them and tweak as needed.

I agree with Marty Boy!!! Your fugue and what you have in it will help better determine what flow you should have passing through it as an example. Don't stress too much though...I've run 950gph (minus whatever head loss) through about a 15 gal sump that was under my 38 gal cube. No water quality issues or anything so go with what works best for you. High flow worked fine for me and if you saw Martin's tank you would 100% agree slow flow is working for him.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Peppie]

Thanks guys I will make the flow rate adjustable.