do gph really matter ???
- Thread starter ska_kid
- Start date
Im on the side of more is better. Our 4 filters flow a combined 1840gph in our 125gal. Bulk media isnt THAT costly...
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I would also like to know. I currently have roughly 800gph flow on a 150 and want to increase to 1400 or 2000gph depending on pump I upgrade to.
I have media and pads in all 3eheims. One has some crushed coral and for now one still has some carbon.
I have media and pads in all 3eheims. One has some crushed coral and for now one still has some carbon.
I say depending on the size of the tank, and the type of the fish your have....I believe filterations are based on 2 things. 1) internal volume, which gives you filtration surface for bacteria and
2) inflow area, which is usually the bottleneck for maintenance intervals. If the filters are clogged up the whole volume is useless.
2) inflow area, which is usually the bottleneck for maintenance intervals. If the filters are clogged up the whole volume is useless.
I think one should avoid the extremes...
I am for 3-4* the turn over rate and as much bio volume as possible.
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I am for 3-4* the turn over rate and as much bio volume as possible.
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Generally speaking the higher GPH makes for more effective mechanical filtration and the lower GPH makes for more effective biofiltration.
The GPH is only a small part of what needs be considered for the most effective filtration though.
The GPH is only a small part of what needs be considered for the most effective filtration though.
There is no one correct answer, although it will fall somewhere between two extremes.
Zero gph will cause death in the tank unless you are engaging in gigantic water changes with limited time between each. A turnover rate of 200x per hour will cause death. The 'perfect' gph will depend on other variables related to amount and type of filtration, type of decor, size of the tank, type of fish, amount and type of food, amount and frequency of water changes, pH, temperature, etc.
The water has to be maintained below a certain level of ammonia (NH3) with a sufficient amount of dissolved oxygen. Tank owners have a preference for a certain visible level of water clarity as well. The correct gph will achieve those results within the constraints of the other variables.
Zero gph will cause death in the tank unless you are engaging in gigantic water changes with limited time between each. A turnover rate of 200x per hour will cause death. The 'perfect' gph will depend on other variables related to amount and type of filtration, type of decor, size of the tank, type of fish, amount and type of food, amount and frequency of water changes, pH, temperature, etc.
The water has to be maintained below a certain level of ammonia (NH3) with a sufficient amount of dissolved oxygen. Tank owners have a preference for a certain visible level of water clarity as well. The correct gph will achieve those results within the constraints of the other variables.
also keep in mind your stock. some fish enjoy fast waters some dont, plan accordingly. general goal i go for is about 10x turnover but also research as to how much i feed compared to amount of bio media. an example: 20l pond matrix can process almost a pound of food a day. any more than that abd i was risking ammonia.