Flow rate

[qguy]

I recently bought a Periha pump which has similar output to my RIO 17HF. The Periha pump has three levels, I used the max setting at 50 watts as this setting was similar to the output of my RIO 17HF. After a couple of days, I experimented using the 30 watt setting and could not notice any difference in clarity in my tank. Does having more flow than rate required for clarity have any other advantage?

Tank :250g , Sump at 60g. Head is 5.5 feet

 

[brandontw]

Probably not. Flow rate is less important than amount/surface area of media.

If higher flow "sweeps" the substrate better and stops stuff from gathering on the floor, that could be one reason to run a higher than needed flow rate.