How much GPH turn over do I need for a 55gal tank?

[celbrise]

Tried looking on google but i get various different answers. Im running a 55gal fish only but i want to get live rock and grow coraline algae in this tank on the dead live rock i do have and possibly the dead corals as well. Im running a fluval 306 cannister which is rated 303 GPH.

how much GPH in total should i be running for this tank; i do intend to get corals or annemmane's in the future. also is 1 powerhead good or should i be getting multiple smaller gph one's.

 

[bang guy]

My opinion is 500 - 1000gph. There's no right answer but I think two powerheads will provide better flow.

 

[kenman345]

I have a 56G Column tank and the same filtration unit you are using. I never cared about the filtration unit rating in terms of the GPH, but I am quite new to this hobby, so take my advice with a grain of salt.

I have two pumps, both Hydor. One rated at 600GPH and the other at 850GPH. They are running in a cycle, so only one on at a time, but I notice that it seems better in the tank with the 850GPH pump going. The fish tend to play in it more and overall, it seems like actual water is moving around. I am planning to add two small 240GPH pump to supplement these pumps and provide some undertow currents that go opposite the above pumps to make sure I am getting the proper circulation. I have felt that this might be best if I wanted to downsize and go for two 600 GPH pumps since no one single pump will be too strong.

From what I have read, the recommendation is about 10 times the amount of water volume is the rating you should get for a system with a single pump. If you are planning to go with more than 1 pump, then have them on a cycle, and I would recommend trying things out for yourself. From the reading I have done and the LFS, it seems that the fish really need the circulation to allow their bodies to be at their best and to allow the fish to grow. I would imagine doing what's best for the fish would help you get the coraline algae you want in your tank. I am also trying to get that in my tank but I am trying to be patient after running the lighting system I have caused a diatom outbreak that I have under control by turning off the lights completely for the time being.

 

[celbrise]

yea my fish seem to be begging for more current their always swimming in the filter current but it's not that strong.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Celbrise http:///t/397654/how-much-gph-turn-over-do-i-need-for-a-55gal-tank#post_3545693
yea my fish seem to be begging for more current their always swimming in the filter current but it's not that strong.


Hi,

There is less oxygen in saltwater then freshwater. Power heads create the wave needed for gas exchange, the wave is the life of the ocean and your saltwater tank. You need one pointed upward to move the surface, and the others to clear the rocks of debris and create your "undertow".

 

[celbrise]

my filter output Is agitating the surface pretty violently but I guess it could use more agitation with a power head

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Celbrise http:///t/397654/how-much-gph-turn-over-do-i-need-for-a-55gal-tank#post_3545897
my filter output Is agitating the surface pretty violently but I guess it could use more agitation with a power head

If you are using a canister filter... a spray bar is really helpful, and much cheaper then a power head for the surface. You would still need the power head that is pointed towards the rocks. I even attached a homemade spray bar to a power head once, that really worked well too...but not very pretty to have to look at.

 

[celbrise]

yea I was looking at spray bars but eh I mean im going to be buying power heads since they can be found in my state. hard to find a lot of aquarium products in my state for a good/decent price without getting ripped off or paying shipping fee's. my canister filter is also set up with no slack of hose so theirs less water pressure needed to push it up. the output is pretty strong it does about half the tank but lacks most movement towards the bottom.

 

[flower]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Celbrise http:///t/397654/how-much-gph-turn-over-do-i-need-for-a-55gal-tank#post_3546052
yea I was looking at spray bars but eh I mean im going to be buying power heads since they can be found in my state. hard to find a lot of aquarium products in my state for a good/decent price without getting ripped off or paying shipping fee's. my canister filter is also set up with no slack of hose so theirs less water pressure needed to push it up. the output is pretty strong it does about half the tank but lacks most movement towards the bottom.

Hi,

I purchase 99.9% of my equipment online. The regular fish stores around me just don't have what I want. I will go look and see first but most times online is the way to go. So it shouldn't matter if your state has equipment you want or not. I can understand if you are in a country where online is just not doable, but here in good ole USA...as long as you have internet and a debit or credit card, you are never limited on what you can get. Now you can even get prepaid cards, just so you can use it on line if you don't have a credit card or bank.

 

[celbrise]

thats the problem i don't work atm full time college student so im broke. I managed to buy a power head 950gph this past week out of state on vacation it was cheap due to sale and different state. my clowns seem to be enjoying the current and my tank is getting much better turn over. already thinking of getting 1-2 more smaller ones