What is the difference between the two? And, which one do I go by when trying to determine if a filter has a good turnover/flow rate for my aquarium and so on? Thanks to all who help.
Pump Power/Output and Filtration Circulation
- Thread starter Platyfish_14
- Start date
Hello; First let me say you are likely to get a very wide range of opinions as to how much turnover/circulation is needed. I do not think this is what you are asking about however.
My guess is that the GPH (gallons per hour) ratings on the equipment will be the simpler way to determine circulation and turnover rates.
Back to the amount needed. I am from the time when we often had little turnover in a tank. I started in 1959. My tanks had, at best for a long time, only air bubbler operated equipment. The tanks worked.
As time went by the power filters became available and over that time became more reliable and more powerful. This happened over decades for me. All during that time tanks could be well run.
Good luck sorting out the potential answers
My guess is that the GPH (gallons per hour) ratings on the equipment will be the simpler way to determine circulation and turnover rates.
Back to the amount needed. I am from the time when we often had little turnover in a tank. I started in 1959. My tanks had, at best for a long time, only air bubbler operated equipment. The tanks worked.
As time went by the power filters became available and over that time became more reliable and more powerful. This happened over decades for me. All during that time tanks could be well run.
Good luck sorting out the potential answers
I'd say that your filtration/circulation (in gph) is the figure that your pump actually gives you once pump power, head height, elbows and length of plumbing are factored in. Whereas the max gph figure that your pump gives you on the side of the box is the output that your pump will achieve if none of these variables were present, but of course they are present. So the clear figure you need in your head is what gph turnover would work for your system and then track back to find out which pump would achieve that figure factoring in the variables. It can all be a bit confusing. I couldn't really decide what gph turnover would work best for me so i bought a variable speed pump. It works a dream for me.
I am well aware that I will get different answers as to what flow rate/turnover would be good for my particular system. Infact it is driving me nuts to the point where I am just trying to work things out for my self and form my own opinion (there is more than one way to skin the cat). But what I was asking was, do I go by the pump power/output number to determine the flow rate? or the filter circulation number? For eg
The Fluval G6
Pump Output: 230-240V/50Hz: 2460 l/h – 650 g/h (do I go by this figure?)
Filter Circulation*: 1000 l/h -265 g/h (or do I go by this figure?)
Would post link, but I can't yet. But you just google "Fluval G6 Advanced Filtration System specs" and click the first link.
However I am not thinking about buying anyone of these filters, but just using this as an example of what I am trying to say. I am thinking the bottom figure is the one I need to go by, especially because what these guys "deeda" and "Thai Aquarium owner" said in these posts which made a whole lot of sense to me.
Just google: "Pump Output vs filter circulation" and it's the top 2 links.
I always doubt myself alot and I am extra cautious and I am basically just checking to see if this is true that's (even though I probably already know what the answer is). Sorry about the long reply. Thanks.
That's what I was thinking, I just like to make sure this is right. And you're indeed right, it can be damn right confusing lol. You said you have a variable pump, what filter do you have that has this?
If i'm understanding you correctly you want a variable speed cannister filter for example. I've never run cannisters so i'm unsure if cannisters come with a variable speed option. I have a sump system so my pump is a seperate entity to my filtration compartments. All my pump does is pump water, at whatever gph i choose, through my media.
I was just wondering if you had a canister with a variable speed pump, so that I could find out what canister filter that is and if it is any good then I would consider it, that's all. Thanks for your help so far.
I was just wondering if you had a canister with a variable speed pump, so that I could find out what canister filter that is and if it is any good then I would consider it, that's all. Thanks for your help so far.
Like i said, i don't run cannisters, i have a sump. Hopefully somebody who runs cannisters can guide you further as to whether there is one available with a variable speed motor but i don't think there is. I thought that any adjustment to water flow on a cannister filter is contolled with valves, not motor speed adjustment.