Water turnover rate question

[islanddog]

Here is a question about water turnover rate from your tank thru your sump.

I have read suggestions anywhere from 4 times to 12 times an hour. If you have your biological filtration in your tank (LR) and good water movement in your tank (powerheads), do you need to have your water turning over 12 times an hour? Having your other hardware (skimmer, heaters, etc.) in your sump, would passing your tank water by all of them 5-6 times an hour be enough?

I am looking forward to the comments!

Kevin

 

[mojoreef]

Kevin actually its the opposite wen it comes to return water from your sump. All you really want to do is to get the water back in. Whatever amount of flow that will do that. ALl the interflow or as you say turnover rate has to do with the water flow with in the tank its self. the return water plays into the formula but the ast majority should come from a closed loop or simular.

Mike

 

[ereefic]

I find this interesting as most people recommend to have as much as you can flowing through the sump. I suppose that will cut down on additional means (powerheads, closed loop) in the tank to make up for the small amount flowing through the sump.

I only have about 900gph going through my sump, but that is with 120gal. and 45gal. connected to the same sump. A couple of powerheads in the tanks for additional flow and it works out fine.

 

[islanddog]

Thank you for the comments! Always helpful!

 

[NaH2O]

This thread reminded me of an interesting article I read recently. I thought it might fit here, since the thread is regarding flow. I hope you don't mind me posting this here.

According to Anthony Calfo, some fish display neurotic behavior in slow-flow environments, and will cease this behavior as flow increases. Corals rely on flow as well, to bring food, carry away mucus and waste material. I think correct flow is often an overlooked aspect of a tank, and with the correct flow (or correcting poor flow) we will see healthier inhabitants. Here is a link to the article:

Plumbing a Water Return Manifold - Goodbye Powerheads! by Anthony Calfo

 

[mojoreef]

ereefic, your sump is usually a location where you keep your equipment and so on. Having a large amount of flow through the sump can create problems with microbubbles. In regards to a refugium very low water flow is required if the algae/sand is going to get to contact time it needs in order to try to do something. The same would pertain to a heater, getting rid of the return bubbles from a skimmer, and so on. I always tell people just get that water back in and call it a day. As per the actual flow inside the tank, thats a whole other story.

mike