Top 5 factors that determine Turnover Rate

[CHOMPERS]

I'm really trying to see if flow rates are determined by chance, conscious decision, or monkey see monkey doo.

When people answer a direct question, they often will reply as if they are going to be judged by their answer. If you look around at some of the threads here, you will see a lot of monkey see monkey do. However, I don't think many people will admit to it (nobody wants to be a monkey).

Most of my tanks are very energy efficient with very low flow rates. I went back to school a few years ago and had to cut costs or get rid of most of my tanks. All of my FW tanks are 3 turnovers or less. I have a grossly over stocked & over fed tank running 1.5 turnovers. Unfortunately, that one doesn't have any automation, so I have to do the cleaning and water changes myself. Except when I have to put off a water change, you would never know that it had a low flow rate. It never has had ammonia or nitrite spikes.

 

[Bderick67]

Turnover effects the mechanical filtration more the biological.

-tank size, type and decor
-stock size and type
-filter type and media used
-feeding and maintenance
-cost, depends on ho much one can afford or spend.
-knowledge, see chomper's post, efficient filtration can be achieved with lower turnover rates

 

[CHOMPERS]

What do you think are the top 5 factors that determine the water turnover rate of an aquarium ?

To give you an indirect answer to your question, it is all in the design from the start. You can design a system and know the flow rate before ever putting water in it. All the information needed is in the sticky sections in this section and in the DIY section. Most people don't go that far, and just copy what someone else did. One of the most common monkey see monkey do signs is a big pump with a valve to throttle it down (huge waste of money and electricity).


A more direct answer:
1. Pump size
2. Vertical plumbing height; Horizontal plumbing does not matter.
3. Pipe size
4. Mechanical filtration area (oversized is way better when it gets dirty)
5. All else is secondary.

 

[CHOMPERS]

-knowledge

Anyone that can keep an arowana in a goldfish bowl is tops in my book.

 

[slapnutz]

Cost and needs of the fish are the two most important for me. When I was looking for overflows, I chose a 700gph box vs the next step up, a 1500gph box (glass-holes). I don't have the resources currently to build my own stand, so I bought one for my 75g tank. Space was also taken into consideration. Can't fit a uber big tank under there, and still have room for supplies and what not. I didn't see the point of having the 1500gph overflow on a 20L sump. Granted, my pump doesn't flow the 700gph, probably more around 350-400. So around a 4x turnover rate. I also have a koralia style powerhead rated at 600gph in the tank, and might add another. So that's another 8x turnover inside the tank. Makes for pretty good water flow.

 

[dawnmarie]

To give you an indirect answer to your question, it is all in the design from the start. You can design a system and know the flow rate before ever putting water in it. All the information needed is in the sticky sections in this section and in the DIY section. Most people don't go that far, and just copy what someone else did. One of the most common monkey see monkey do signs is a big pump with a valve to throttle it down (huge waste of money and electricity).


A more direct answer:
1. Pump size
2. Vertical plumbing height; Horizontal plumbing does not matter.
3. Pipe size
4. Mechanical filtration area (oversized is way better when it gets dirty)
5. All else is secondary.

I couldn't agree with you more. I have read and in some cases reread every sticky in both sections and without exception they are all quite informative. For example your sticky on pump sizing is excellent and illustrates the depth and breadth of you knowledge, not just specific to pumps. There does however seem to be much more emphasis in the majority of sticky's on how not why. The reason for my original question is to determine why a person arrives at a "correct" flow rate for there particular application rather than what that flow rate is.
I have been accused by those who know me of analyzing something to death before beginning a project so please don't ever get the idea that my questions are designed to prove anyone wrong they are only meant to give me a better understanding of WHY something needs to occur.

 

[crr]

I got to admit the boring thought of reading this thread, was very interesting and helpfull.. Im a monkey see monkey do.. but please dont spread that.....it might get around.. I leave the real brainy stuff to smart ppl like you's...

Good day!

 

[dawnmarie]

I got to admit the boring thought of reading this thread, was very interesting and helpfull.. Im a monkey see monkey do.. but please dont spread that.....it might get around.. I leave the real brainy stuff to smart ppl like you's...

Good day!

There are no dumb questions.
Never be afraid to ask Why.

 

[kjfan1]

What is turnover?>

 

[CHOMPERS]

"Turnover" is the number of tank volumes that is run through your filter each hour. If you have a 100g tank and the flow through the filter is 100 gph, then you have one turnover or one turnover per hour (which is actually redundant).

A variation of this is adding up the entire system volume.