[e_baer]

I have read and read and read about how 10x tunrover rate is the least amount you should have in a reef tank. I have also read that you dont want to have anything over 30x turnover rater. I have been doing a lot of thinking on this subject and feel like I need to share my conclusions with you all. Over the past few weeks, I have seen many people telling others with larger tanks that 10x turnover rate will be fine. I think this is not true at all. I look at it like this: I have a 55g tank and I also have some SEIO m620's. If I had no powerheads in my tank except only a single m620 (620gph) that is more than 10x turnover, but at the same time that is almost no flow at all. Even if I had a powerhead that had a smaller output to make it like a jet, 550gph in a 55g tank is not much at all. I have learned this from experience and have found that at around 30x turnover rate in a 55g tank with strategically placed pumps is perfect!

Now, on the other hand, if I had a 5g tank and have 50gph running in that, I think that would be just about perfect.

IMO when telling somone what their turnover rate should be, you need to consider what types of pumps they are using as well. Different pumps will have differen types of flow, and I use types of flow because in a SEIO and Koralia, the flow is very wide and dispersed and not turbulent at all. However, on something like a Maxi-jet the water comes shooting out from a fairly smally opening cause a lot of turbulence and violence in the water column which is why MJ recommends have the flow director facing towards the top of the tank.

The reason why I bring any of this up is to inform and not criticize or complain. So, next time we give advice on tank flow, lets ask what types of pumps they are using and not just use the standard 10x turnover rate!

[stephaniesquires]

Good post Elliott. You make a great point about how unique each tank is, and how there is not one 'right' way of doing something.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

I have been in the habit of recomending according to coral type.10x for fish only and some soft corals,20x for a combo of soft and hard corals,30x for hard coral.The more flow yo get over 30x the more likely the sand storm.I also recomend using 3 or 4 pumps to achieve flows of any level to prevent dead spots.The koralia pumps now come with flow deflectors in the package.These give excelent eratic flow both at the surface and deep in the tank.Pumps that create a steady directional heavy flow (laminar) are not quite as good for coral or ditritus displacement.
CircMarArt

[e_baer]

I have had up to 50x turnover rate in my 55 and there was no sandstorm....

I think it all dpends on how the pumps are positioned for high and random flow.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

Pump positioning is truly a factor.If you have 50x and no sand storm you are truly blessed.Most people who use that kind of flow generally go bare bottom (get your mind out of the gutter lol)as small sand particles carried by the high speed water actually tear away the fleshy parts of coral.

[e_baer]

Well, like I said earlier, it also depends on the type of powerheads you are using.

[map95003]

I'm glad you guys are discussing flow. It's a confusing subject that's why I asked about powerheads in my thread http://www.reefbuilders.com/forums/r...ds-my-75g.html (see the last entry in the thread)

I was thinking of getting 3 or 4 K3's for my 75g DT tank, but then I got 6 AquaClear 50's (aka Powerhead 402's) free and wanted to know if I could make any use of them before investing in the K3's....still looking for some feedback from you guys. thanx.

[thelastmucci]

let me ask you guys something...when I get my tank I plan on getting two tunze 6025's for it. However I also plan on getting an AC Jr. to control lights, heat, PH's etc. Do you think this is too much flow for a mixed reef (having mostly softies but some LPS, probably little to no SPS, but possibly a clam) I don't want a sandstorm but at the same time want variable flow...am I going about this the wrong way???