Is it possible to have too much filtration and flow rate?
- Thread starter Voltron
- Start date
deejeff0442
Active Member
Also check the head flow rates.meaning the machine might put out 600 gph at the outlet but 400gph after 6 foot of piping to the tank.
flower
Well-Known Member
+1...LOL, when I first clicked on this thread, I also thought it was regarding filtration, not flow.
very true.
Cali_G
New Member
As others have pointed out, your question is a bit misleading. "Flow rate" and "filtration rate" are not necessarily synonymous. "Flow rate" usually refers to how much water movement is occurring inside the tank. "Filtration rate" refers to how often the filter is turning over the total tank volume, i.e. how many gallons are passing through the filter per hour.
Filtration of 563gph for a 125 gallon tank might not be enough filtration in the long run as waste loads will increase. You should always set up a tank for its future needs, not for what you are planning on stocking with today. More filtration is always better as you cannot have too much filtration. However, if you don't have a high enough flow rate to move the water and keep detritus suspended, allowing the filter to remove it, no amount of filtration will be enough. I usually shoot for a filtration rate of at least 10x the tank volume and adjust up if I plan to stock with high waste producers (Lion Fish, Puffers, Groupers, etc).
The flow rate should be based on tank inhabitants as well as tank dimensions. A tank that is 72” long will need stronger and/or more powerheads than a tank that is 60” long. Start off slow and work up until you feel you have enough flow. Try powerheads with about a 1200 gph flow…one on each side wall facing each other and position so you get a circular type flow. The 1200 gph is just an arbitrary number. Your tank will actually tell you what it needs based on how well you take care of it and what your maintenance practices will be.
Just remember it’s not an exact science. What works for one person does not necessarily work for another. Regardless of what works, enjoy and have fun!
Filtration of 563gph for a 125 gallon tank might not be enough filtration in the long run as waste loads will increase. You should always set up a tank for its future needs, not for what you are planning on stocking with today. More filtration is always better as you cannot have too much filtration. However, if you don't have a high enough flow rate to move the water and keep detritus suspended, allowing the filter to remove it, no amount of filtration will be enough. I usually shoot for a filtration rate of at least 10x the tank volume and adjust up if I plan to stock with high waste producers (Lion Fish, Puffers, Groupers, etc).
The flow rate should be based on tank inhabitants as well as tank dimensions. A tank that is 72” long will need stronger and/or more powerheads than a tank that is 60” long. Start off slow and work up until you feel you have enough flow. Try powerheads with about a 1200 gph flow…one on each side wall facing each other and position so you get a circular type flow. The 1200 gph is just an arbitrary number. Your tank will actually tell you what it needs based on how well you take care of it and what your maintenance practices will be.
Just remember it’s not an exact science. What works for one person does not necessarily work for another. Regardless of what works, enjoy and have fun!
snakeblitz33
Well-Known Member
Fluval mainly sells canister filters. Canister filters are notorious for getting clogged and being a constant source of nutrients if not well maintained. A sump would be better, or just perhaps a couple of Emperor 400s and a decent hang on back skimmer like an Eshopps rated for your size tank.
Your filtration gph is separate from your flow gph. Filtration averages 7x to 10x your aquariums volume and your internal flow rate should be between 10x and 25x your aquariums volume for a fish only tank.
The two hang on back filters and the hang on back eshopps skimmer that can be added on later will get you to that total turnover, with the addition of a couple of Koralia powerheads at 750gph each would be sufficient to keep your tank healthy - as long as proper water changes are maintained and detritus is managed well.
Your filtration gph is separate from your flow gph. Filtration averages 7x to 10x your aquariums volume and your internal flow rate should be between 10x and 25x your aquariums volume for a fish only tank.
The two hang on back filters and the hang on back eshopps skimmer that can be added on later will get you to that total turnover, with the addition of a couple of Koralia powerheads at 750gph each would be sufficient to keep your tank healthy - as long as proper water changes are maintained and detritus is managed well.
Voltron
New Member
Lol
2014FishKiller
Member
I have a 120g tank, two power heads, both about 1600gph, one on the top of left hand side pointed inside to the center of the tank, the other on the other side about 10 inches down and pointed to the outside of tank, Am I doing it right?
2014FishKiller
Member
According to Hydor and SunSun, 1600gph are for 125g tank, how to do get 10000gph? is it a typo?
2014FishKiller
Member
Do you think your powerhead system is overkill?
mauler
Active Member
I don't think so it keeps detritus from settling onmy rocks and sand bed so it can be sucked up by my filter and skimmer. My fish don't seem to mind it but I also turn turn the wp60 off at night and dial the wp40 down so at night I'm only at like 3000 maybe. If I kept it at 10000 24/7 that would be overkill.