New Refuge - how do I know how often the tank is cycling via the pump?

[Rusty Baldwin]

Hello, I have my new refuge running. 75 gallon tank. 20 gallon refuge. 1 1/2 inch PVC overflow. Hygger 4000 return pump.

Two wrasse
One clown - he keeps killing the other clowns
Three Damsel fish
Five anemones - two long T, three bubble
Four snails
Four crabs
Live sand
Live rock

Ph - 8.2
Temp - 77.8
Salinity - 1.025
Nitrite - 0
Ammonia - 0
Nitrate - .25
All parameters are perfect

Two socks - chamber one
Bio and skimmer - chamber two
Cheato algae, copepods, live rock, and equipment - chamber three
Form insert - chamber four, between baffles
Pump and heater - chamber five

My question is how do I know how often the tank is cycling via the pump? Or do I really care as long as the parameters are good?

 

[The_Paradox]

Can’t answer to if you care or not, but if you want to find out then temporarily install an in-line flow meter.

 

[Rusty Baldwin]

Can’t answer to if you care or not, but if you want to find out then temporarily install an in-line flow meter.

Excellent. Let me check them out

 

[exnisstech]

I typically don't measure flow unless it through a UV, reactor etc but there's nothing wrong with knowing I suppose.
Your nitrates are low (at least for me) unless it's a typo?

 

[Bruttall]

Hyyger 4000 submersible rated at 215gph/ 90gal system volume gives you a turnover rate of 2.38 times per hour. I run a 3100gph pump on my 300g at 70% for about 2000gph flow giving me about 6.5x per hour turnover.

 

[Rusty Baldwin]

I typically don't measure flow unless it through a UV, reactor etc but there's nothing wrong with knowing I suppose.
Your nitrates are low (at least for me) unless it's a typo?

Oh boy. Tested again. No typo. Let me research how to get that up

 

[Rusty Baldwin]

Hyyger 4000 submersible rated at 215gph/ 90gal system volume gives you a turnover rate of 2.38 times per hour. I run a 3100gph pump on my 300g at 70% for about 2000gph flow giving me about 6.5x per hour turnover.

I purchased the 4000 because it stated 1060gph. For a 75g I needed around 450gph. Factor in the four foot vertical and one foot horizontal, it seems like it was enough. As it is new I have not got up the nerve to open it up wide open.

 

[snorklr]

my guess it that you have a relatively low bioload and lots of sources for nutrient export...cheato, skimmer etc...mines always zero and everything looks happy so i'm not too concerned

 

[exnisstech]

my guess it that you have a relatively low bioload and lots of sources for nutrient export...cheato, skimmer etc...mines always zero and everything looks happy so i'm not too concerned

Every time mine hits zero my fleshy LPS start to deflate and cyano starts to appear. I have one particular trachy that I use as my tell. I agree tho if everything is good roll with it.

 

[The_Paradox]

My nitrate has been over 1ppm maybe a dozen times in as many years and I dose just to stave off dinos.

 

[Bruttall]

I purchased the 4000 because it stated 1060gph. For a 75g I needed around 450gph. Factor in the four foot vertical and one foot horizontal, it seems like it was enough. As it is new I have not got up the nerve to open it up wide open.

ok, with those numbers, and keep in mind this is approxamate, not scientific measurement, 1060 gph with a head height of 13.1ft. You're lifting water 4 feet so you should see approx 960gph of flow/90g system you're at 10x per hour turnover. If you are not trying to create Tank Flow with your return pump you could turn it down some.

 

[Rusty Baldwin]

ok, with those numbers, and keep in mind this is approxamate, not scientific measurement, 1060 gph with a head height of 13.1ft. You're lifting water 4 feet so you should see approx 960gph of flow/90g system you're at 10x per hour turnover. If you are not trying to create Tank Flow with your return pump you could turn it down some.

Perfect. Thank you for the explanation. I am still learning. I am at about 70% right now.