10X, 15X, 20X, 30X, ???

[NaCl_H2O]

This topic has been beat to death on every reef forum I have ever visited, but I wanted to ask MAAST "Experts (successful SPS tanks)" what they are runing?

Due to my other thread (Cavitation?) I am reworking my plans for closed loops on my system. I have a PanWorld 200PS (1750GPH) as the return to all my tanks which (Through a set of ball valves) is giving me about 5X turnover from my sump. My fuge is contributing minimally to turnover, but let's leave that out.

I have three show tanks, with planned inhabitants of:

215 brick = SPS & Stonies
140 brick = Softies (Leathers, mushrooms, probably stonies in here too)
60 corner = FOWLR

So, what turnover rate should I target from closed loops for each tank?

I was targeting "total" turnover of: 215/SPS=20X, 140/Softies=15X, 60/FOWLR=10X

Will this work for my planned inhabitants? Could I get away with less in the 215 (15X)?

Thanks - Steve

[::pete::]

I turn my tank over between 20X and 30X.

[dow]

I"m not there yet, but in correspondence with Anthon Calfo, he recommends turnover in the range of 20X if you can get it for SPS. Right now, I think I'm in the neighborhood of 10X, but am just trying to get into stonies.

[Tim Marvin]

I turn over 2,600 GPH in each one of my 80-90 gallon tanks. I grow primarily stoney, with a majority in SPS.

[NaCl_H2O]

I turn over 2,600 GPH in each one of my 80-90 gallon tanks. I grow primarily stoney, with a majority in SPS.

Wow, that's 30X if you count the entire 80-90gals - I have wondered if I should subtract out Sand & Rock space in my turnover computations, which I assume is about 20-25% of the "Advertized" tank volume.

[Tim Marvin]

I don't subtract anything, so yes, the 80 probably has more like 50 gallons of water in it.

[::pete::]

now you just up'd the turn-over ... :D

[adaminaustin]

That was a easy upgrade..... :-D

I agree with everyone else. Yes, you can do less, but more is better. My SPS tank has approx 30X turnover not counting and substrate or rockwork. I am not the "EXPERT" status like others though. ;)

You can never mimic the amount and variation of flow in the ocean.

[astrong]

I move about 20x turnover in my tank, but I also have fine sand(0.1mm). I had to remove one of my streams ultimately because it churned up the substrate too much. If I had coarser (say 1mm) sand I would up my flow. The fish love it too, they swim into the powerheads to nibble the algae on the output.