how many GPH should my pump turn over?

[SilkyPimP]

how many GPH does this sump need to turn over?
looking into pumps and dont know what i need to run four 55's.

i was trying to make a MONSTER sump to run the whole room but gave up cuz i couldnt fit it/tanks the way i wanted.
ill make another to run the other four 55s and a 100 gallon or two.

 

[CHOMPERS]

Did you see the sticky thread in the setup section? Lotsa good info there.

You are going to get a wide variety of answers. It will seem like no one can agree, but the matter of the fact is there is a very wide range that will work.

 

[VLDesign]

My Freshwater 300 gallon tank turns over about 2.7 times per hour using dual Eheim 2260s.

My 800 gallon display system (4 tanks 1 sump) turns over 4 times per hour (1000 gallons including sump) and 2 times per hour goes through a DIY 50 gallon trashcan bio media tower. (Currently salt but switching to fresh in a week)

 

[Dr Joe]

how many GPH does this sump need to turn over?
looking into pumps and dont know what i need to run four 55's.

i was trying to make a MONSTER sump to run the whole room but gave up cuz i couldnt fit it/tanks the way i wanted.
ill make another to run the other four 55s and a 100 gallon or two.

with CHOMPERS, but to even get an answer we need to know the bio-load of the 4 55g tanks.

Tank turnover is the is the proper terminology for this function.

Anywhere from 2-15x per hour on average .

Dr Joe

.

 

[SilkyPimP]

most tanks will have one flowerhorn/pair of texas/grow outs of fry till 3 inches

 

[rallysman]

I always aim for 3 x tank volume (when using a wet/dry). I've never had a problem with it that way and you can use smaller pumps.

 

[CHOMPERS]

I'll second that. I am also a 3x guy.

 

[Dr Joe]

I'll second that. I am also a 3x guy.

CHOMPERS, rallysman was talking about turnover rates not pants size .

Sorry just couldn't stop myself .

3x will be good for that bio-load once it's cycled.

Dr Joe

.

 

[CHOMPERS]

Not only is it my pants size, it is also my man-bra size







...sorry for taking you there

 

[Oddball]

3 to 5 times is the normal turnover rate for lake fish. Riverine species may require higher rates. Keep in mind the turnover rate is not related to the pump's flow rate. The turnover rate is related to the pump flow at the head (inlet to the tanks after the rise from the sump). A 1200 gph pump may only have a flow of 900 gph at the system's head. Aquarium pumps list flows at different head heights.