How important is flow return rate? My pump is undersize.

[jayteerq]

Im noticing bad water clarity, a lot of particles. It also seems like my skimmer isnt performing like one should. My return pump is rated for 700gph and I have a 130g tank. Should I upgrade my pump?

 

[Pistondog]

Check your actual return rate.
Pump into a 5 gallon bucket while timing and do the math.
I think a 5x return rate is good. We should have powerheads in the tank that keep detritus suspended until it moves to the overflow to be filtered.

 

[jayteerq]

Check your actual return rate.
Pump into a 5 gallon bucket while timing and do the math.
I think a 5x return rate is good. We should have powerheads in the tank that keep detritus suspended until it moves to the overflow to be filtered.

I have a lot of SPS frags in my tank so my powerheads are basically at 80%. Im not sure what it is but I just feel like theres not enough flowing coming out of my return nozzles

 

[Lavey29]

You want 3x to 5x turnover through the sump via return pump. Water needs dwell time there for media and skimmer.

 

[GARRIGA]

Could be your socks or other mechanical filter media isn't fine enough to trap the particle size you are seeing. Can have 20x return through sump and still see particles if nothing is trapping them. Try some filter floss before worrying about return flow.

 

[jayteerq]

You want 3x to 5x turnover through the sump via return pump. Water needs dwell time there for media and skimmer.

True

 

[jayteerq]

Could be your socks or other mechanical filter media isn't fine enough to trap the particle size you are seeing. Can have 20x return through sump and still see particles if nothing is trapping them. Try some filter floss before worrying about return flow.

I have 2 filter socks and 2 filter cups with filter floss but oddly enough it seems like the water flows around the cups and socks and not into the socks and cups?? Lol

 

[KrisReef]

I have 2 filter socks and 2 filter cups with filter floss but oddly enough it seems like the water flows around the cups and socks and not into the socks and cups?? Lol

Rinse the socks off and see if the water flows through them afterwards.

 

[jayteerq]

Rinse the socks off and see if the water flows through them afterwards.

I did, i rinsed them yesterday. They're the thinner micron ones. Not sure what exactly, got them from someone else. But its like a mesh material.

 

[workhz]

which pump and what head height? chances are you are doing 2x.

 

[workhz]

and as someone else has already pointed out, just measure how much water is coming out. You don't have to fill a 5g bucket but just get enough water so you know exactly how much you got in exactly however many seconds.

 

[jayteerq]

which pump and what head height? chances are you are doing 2x.

Syncra SDC 3.0 and head height off estimation would be 40-50"?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Assuming that flow comes from other devices, I've never understood a rational why the return flow needs to be so high.

What would be wrong with 1x? 0.5X?

What exactly is the filtration system doing to the tank water that it needs to do it many times per hour?

 

[workhz]

Assuming that flow comes from other devices, I've never understood a rational why the return flow needs to be so high.

What would be wrong with 1x? 0.5X?

What exactly is the filtration system doing to the tank water that it needs to do it many times per hour?

Assuming flow from other devices, probably nothing. It does replace a powerhead or 2 and manages to agitate the surface of the water well. I can't even remember what mine is set at.

 

[workhz]

Syncra SDC 3.0

Doesnt look like it drops off that much, maybe running at 500gph at 40" assuming no kinks or turns or whatever.

 

[GARRIGA]

I have 2 filter socks and 2 filter cups with filter floss but oddly enough it seems like the water flows around the cups and socks and not into the socks and cups?? Lol

There's the problem. Could it be doing that because of too much flow :thinking-face:

 

[jayteerq]

There's the problem. Could it be doing that because of too much flow :thinking-face:

Well I have my gate valve closed almost completely because of the return rate. My water level in display is already super low.

 

[exnisstech]

I've never calculated flow on a return pump. I always set them up to get the overflow the quietest I can get it and roll with it. If it's bypassing your filtration that could be the problem. Have you considered a roller? I have one in my acro tank with no skimmer so it's my only filtration and the water stays pretty clear. I actually turn the roller off a few nights a week and let it overflow so the corals get a little extra food.

 

[jayteerq]

I've never calculated flow on a return pump. I always set them up to get the overflow the quietest I can get it and roll with it. If it's bypassing your filtration that could be the problem. Have you considered a roller? I have one in my acro tank with no skimmer so it's my only filtration and the water stays pretty clear. I actually turn the roller off a few nights a week and let it overflow so the corals get a little extra food.

Yeah I’m definitely in the market for a roller. But yeah I can get a video later but all the water seems to bypass the filter cup and socks somehow. They do get dirty but I do see the water flowing around and behind the socks/cups

 

[KStatefan]

Syncra SDC 3.0 and head height off estimation would be 40-50"?

Does that include friction loss also?