12000g flow rate?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
E

Emil Wångdahl

Black Skirt Tetra
MFK Member
May 20, 2015
42
3
13
40
Sweden
Im starting to look at pumps and equipment for the aquarium im going to build in a couple of months and im wondering, do i realy need 5-10 times turnover when its that big? the pumps im looking at will give a turnover rate at 2,5 times an hour.
I have been trying to get the difference between pond and aquariums but i just cant get the difference.
If i look at a pond forum they say one full turnover every 2 hours is good enough and you still get crystal clear water i your filter and bio is enough, while in aquariums we say 5-10 times an hour.
why?
Can someone explain it so that i understand the difference and what flow rate do you think i should start with?
 
Based on what I understand, you should also consider your bio-load, tank volume, filtration efficiency (can be objective or subjective here), if you run anything in-line (i.e. UV, etc.)., if you have other additional filtration and/or circulation methods utilized as well (closed loop circulation, wave pumps, power heads, etc.)

I've read 5-10x is ideal for marine/reef, but I know some prefer that on FW tanks as well. Some FW tanks are more than fine with 2-5x turnover. What's your tank size? Personally, unless you are tight on budget, I'd look at DC pumps that's higher rated than what you think you'll need. This way, you have some flexibility to adjust as you think is needed. Also, I never like to run my equipment at max speed if I can help it (but that's just me).
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ihsnshaik
Emil Wångdahl said:
Im starting to look at pumps and equipment for the aquarium im going to build in a couple of months and im wondering, do i realy need 5-10 times turnover when its that big? the pumps im looking at will give a turnover rate at 2,5 times an hour.
I have been trying to get the difference between pond and aquariums but i just cant get the difference.
If i look at a pond forum they say one full turnover every 2 hours is good enough and you still get crystal clear water i your filter and bio is enough, while in aquariums we say 5-10 times an hour.
why?
Can someone explain it so that i understand the difference and what flow rate do you think i should start with?
Click to expand...

It all depends on size of tank. What inch outlets/inlets your using. It all plays a factor. The more powerful the pump is and your tubing is not correct than you will overflow. You need the right size inlet and outlet as well. Of course if you can control your pump thats the best. You can make the speed adjustable to your size but remember you always want the best out of your pump. There is a diagram somewhere not sure if someone can post it but shows flow rates and what inch diameters you need.

I have a pond pump in my 200 gallon its perfect! Literally good flow not too much or too little. My father had a bigger pond pump so I added that and it was way too powerful the flow inside the tank was insane and I didn't like that. My current setup is not adjustable its a pond pump. I mean you can throw in a sponge on it and it'll reduce it which I used in the past but if it gets build up too much you'll have no flow.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DN328
Also good point Ace, and I forgot to mention. Yes, aside from all things mentioned, definitely your overflow and/or plumbing method plays a part if what you can actually achieve as well. In my own set-up which has an internal overflow/weir I think the teethe is the limiting factor. It is currently the limiting factor for the amount of water that is draining to the sump. I'm satisfied with the filtration so not worth it to cut longer slots/teethe and mess with.

BTW Ace, based on your plumbing, you can add a union ball valve to decrease the flow with your pond pump - have you considered that?
 
5x turnover is really just a guidline and some systems may require less...some more. The idea is to get the water to the bio-media as often as possible to increase efficient ammonia conversion. Some canister manufacturers design their filters to house massive amounts of media with a slower flow rate in mind to increase detention time...turn over is often designed into these filters with only about 2-3x or even less. Ponds have other factors not present in aquariums like algae (good thing when not in the water column, large surface area for bio-mass colonies...the whole botrom of the pond is one giant surface...and plants. Most ponds do best with plants and lots of them. Plants are necessary to protect the fish from predators and the sun...but they also aid in filtration lowering the need for a high turnover rate.If you build your tank with bio-filtration your main focus, turnover becomes less and less of an issue.
Several other factors with turnover is circulation and feeding regimen. Feeding is usually not as frequent in ponds as the fish require less food as they feed on the natural algae and bugs that also grow in the pond.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ihsnshaik
DN328 said:
Also good point Ace, and I forgot to mention. Yes, aside from all things mentioned, definitely your overflow and/or plumbing method plays a part if what you can actually achieve as well. In my own set-up which has an internal overflow/weir I think the teethe is the limiting factor. It current limits the amount of water that is draining to the sump, IMO. I'm satisfied with the filtration so not worth it for me to mess with.

BTW Ace, based on your plumbing, you can add a union ball valve to decrease the flow with your pond pump - have you considered that?
Click to expand...

Actually I did think about putting one in but my setup is better than I expected so no need to do it. I have two built in overflow systems with teeth jus like you have it. I been running it like this for over 6 years and its been awesome.

Best thing is to give up some background on the tank and plumbing and what your intentions are for the tank.
 
my "aquairum" is going to be 12000 gallons, it will have 5rb pacus, 2 common plecos, 1 giant gourami, 1 silver arowana, 1 channa lucious, 4 oscars and a knife clown. so not that many fishs but bigg. my bio filter will be around 1000 gallons big with alott of sponge first and then some k1 so the biofiltration will be very good. what i realy meant is, is there anny real need to have that much turnover in a aquarium of that size? is 2 times an hour sufficient? i will not loose any headpressure and i have no pipes in the setup im planing so thats not an issue. My pumps will be almost 20000gallons an hour. I think i will start with that and see if its enough
 
and my pacus eat EVERYTHING so i cant have any plants in there. or annything besides other fish or rock i think, they are even chewing at my wires and air tubing
 
thats my point, when is it a pond? i will have 3 walls of concrete and 1 wall that will be glas.
it will be 3 meters deep but only 2 meters high and 2 meters wide viewing glas. it will be abitt under 48000 liters of water so abit more then 12000 gallons. i also have a marble goby that i forgot to mention yesterday
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom