Return pump flow

[Vuuduu]

hey guys, looking for some advice, I'm building up a reefer 525, had aprox 100 gallons of water with rocks and what not, I put a ecotech L1 on it and I'm getting around 500 gph (shown on my Apex flow monitor) which is around 5x my total system volume. Any advice would be appreciated of whether I should get a bigger pump, or just stick with this one?

I see conflicting answers on how much return pump flow i should shoot for....from 4x to 10x? and was curious on how they get these numbers? is it from the listed display tank volume, total system volume, or total water volume in a system after its stocked with rocks and filtration for the 4-10x?

I ill be doing a mixed reef, and it's a new tank, so nows the time to make the change if I need to. This isnt a case of if its working just leave it, I want to try and start out on the right path so i wont have to make many changes later on.

Thanks!

 

[reefpaddy]

The L1 is rated for 3,100 gph, so getting only 500gph is poor. Would need more details on what size plumbing are you using, head height and any other information like if it’s also feeding a reactor, manifold etc.

 

[theMeat]

The old school way of thinking that was around for a looong time and still used successfully is 10x

The newer way is 4-6x. Mostly based on how much skimmer can process should match return gph, and fuge has more time with water to uptake nutrients. Not to mention smaller pump, less heat and noise,

Have been doing the later for years and find it better. Would say your 5x is right in the sweet spot

 

[mfinn]

IMO you are at the perfect amount for return pump flow. 5 x tank volume.
However, if you are only getting 500 gallons per hour out of a Vectra L1 something seems wrong.