Equipment - Circulation Question

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Circulation Question

Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Equipment
Forum Description: This is the place to ask question about reef equipment.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=35461
Printed Date: May 16 2025 at 5:22am
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Topic: Circulation Question

Posted By: CapnMorgan
Subject: Circulation Question
Date Posted: September 29 2009 at 2:00am

So on my 65 gallon reef, the only circulation in the tank is provided by my return pump which moves somewhere in the neighborhood of 1400gph at 6 head feet (rated for 1900+ @ 0 hf). Needless to say the circulation on the far end of the tank is pretty intense, should i turn down the flow back to the display? If so would a ball/gate valve installed in the return line work ok? What is the number of gph i should be shooting for? I wouldn't mind installing some korellias or something similar to create more turbulence than laminar flow.

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Steve
http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40637&PID=356246" rel="nofollow - My Old 180G Mixed Reef
Currently:
120G Wavefront Mixed
29G Seahorse & Softies
Running ReefAngel Plus x2
435-8

Replies:

Posted By: fishoutawater
Date Posted: September 29 2009 at 9:05am

Wow, that's really high flow for a return on that size tank. Do you run a skimmer? You really don't need much more flow than your skimmer can handle, probably around 600-800gph on that tank. You can put a valve on the output of your pump to slow it down without hurting it. Most people put a closed loop or power heads of some kind to get their flow up in the display. Until then maybe you could plumb 3-4 outlets off of your return line to control all that water.

Posted By: Shane H
Date Posted: September 29 2009 at 10:39am

Steve,

You may consider splitting the flow and having two return outlets. This would lessen the flow in a single direction, while providing some turbidity depending on how the outlets were positioned. This would also maximize the pump rather than throttle it back.

Good luck!

Posted By: Rioreefer
Date Posted: September 29 2009 at 10:44am

I have about the same flowreturn and I did what shane said, I split into two then at the top left and right I used locline and split it again so its like having 4 heads up top.

Posted By: thefu
Date Posted: September 29 2009 at 11:23am

Split it in two, buy Dions sea swirl, and put it on one of them!

I have 2600 gph of flow in my 90 (1100 on a 3/4" sea swirl and a 1500 gph Koralia Magnum 5) so if you split it, you should be good. Flow is good, especially if it is moving around the tank...

Posted By: fishoutawater
Date Posted: September 29 2009 at 12:49pm

Splitting it is good for circulation. But this has happened to me already. If all of your circulation is provided by one pump, and that pump fails for any reason, you lose all of your circulation. Fortunately, when it happened I already had my closed loop in place.

Posted By: CapnMorgan
Date Posted: September 29 2009 at 4:35pm

Fishouawater- I thought it was a lot when I bought the setup, but the "expert" who sold it to me said it was perfect.

Shane- Would 4 outlets be better than 2? I want to create good flow but as much turbulence as possible.

Also with the tank running what is going to be the best way to split it? I would rather use the pump's full potential rather than limit my flow.

-------------
Steve
http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40637&PID=356246" rel="nofollow - My Old 180G Mixed Reef
Currently:
120G Wavefront Mixed
29G Seahorse & Softies
Running ReefAngel Plus x2
435-8