Need advise on 240 water flow

[bigdog54]

I'm setting up a 240 gal FOWLR tank with a 50 or 90 gal sump (still workin on that). Anyway, the tank will be drilled with 3 overflows (1.5"), there will be a 5 foot head and I plan on incorporating a UV into the tank after the cycle. I know about 10X the tank size is the standard flow rate so i need to pump 2400 GPH through the sump.

Whats the best pump or pumps for this application?
Can u have to much flow through the sump?

I wasn't sure if the UV needed to be inline with the main pumps or on a pump all it's own. I was looking at the external pumps because it seemd that the submersible pumps that pump this much water would get really hot.

Thanks for any advise. This is my first post. I'm just getting back into the hobby after many years and i've never tried a tank this large, so i have just enough knowledge to be dangerous.

PS-Once i get the pumps figured out i'm off to get the lighting squared away.

[Reefland]

Hi bigdog54, Welcome to Reefland.com!

I would determine possible ways to get much more flow than that, looking to target at least 2x that amount. We have a 75 gallon and although it is a reef, we are running 4000gph through it. Now what will be tough is determing how to move that much water. Your sump won't handle that flow rate, the 2600gph you mention would probably be it's max. You will need to look into internal water movement devices (powerheads, Streams, etc.) or look at incorporating a closed loop.

[bigdog54]

Would simpling moving water around in the tank count towards the recommended "10x the tank amount" water flow rate? I thought that the water needed to move through the sump. I understand why a reef tank needs powerhead for turbulant water inside the tank but is that needed in a FOWLR tank.

[Reefland]

10x water movement would be an absolute minimum in my opinion, even in a FOWLR. All water circulation can be counted towards this recommendation, return from a sump, closed loop system, powerheads etc. Anything that adds direct current inside the aqaurium. For a 240 gallon reef, 2400gph total movement isn't a lot, shoot for more around 4800. ;)

[bigdog54]

Ok thanks, that was confusing me somewhat. How much would you have flowing through your sump alone, not counting closed loops or power heads?

[Reefland]

As much as I could without problems.

The problem with flowing large amounts of volume through the sump is removing the micro air bubbles the are also trying to flow through. The larger the sump the easier it is to remove them because you have more room for baffles, sponges and micron socks. I would say with a 3-4' long sump with some baffles and a sponge or sock you could get 1500-2000gph through it.

[bigdog54]

Ok, so if i run lets say 1500 gph through the sump, then have 900 of water movement through the tank via power heads that would constitute my 2400 gph or 10x the tank size?

[Reefland]

It would but your going to find that it will not be enough flow. Here's an idea:

Go for about 1500 gph through your sump (you could use a MAG 18). Then purchase a Tunze Stream 6010 kit and another Tunze Stream 6060. The 606 provides about 1160gph of uncontrollable flow (constant) and the 6010 provides 1850gph of controlled flow with the controller. That would give you a total of 4510gph and would be very, very nice movement.

[bigdog54]

Sweet, thanks for the advise. How much "rock and roll" does the wave maker produce in the tank. Seems like water would slosh out of the tank. Would it be better to get two constant flows (Tunze Stream 6060) at 1850 each?