I was wondering whats more important, filter media or flow rate?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo

fhawk362

Jack Dempsey
MFK Member
Oct 24, 2009
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Royal palm beach, FL
Ok so I realize that ideally youd want a high flow rate with good filter media but I was thinking about doing the diy canister and I can get a 300 gph pump easy and cheap when Id really like a 500-800gph pump. But I was wondering how much more efficient would a a 500 pump be in comparison to a 300 gph pump with the same media or better. gimme some opinions
 
That 300g pump will have a greatly reduced flow rate once you add media and head height.

Higher flow rate increases your mechanical filtration efficiency. The bio is less affected by flow rate. Though if lacking in bio media then higher flow is more desirable.
 
Good point, I should probably look for a higher flow rate if I were to do it.
 
much more efficient would

It would be more efficient to remove particulate in a single pass as opposed to a higher number of times through the media.
What I’m saying is it is not all about high flow rates.
Media/flow that removes the particles at 300gph is more efficient than an 800gph combination that takes 3 or more trips through the media to trap the same amount of particulate.
 
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