Cycle Rate? Sump sizing?

[neogenix]

Howdy!!

So I'm in the process of putting together a tank around the 50G range. The thing is that I can't seem to find an exact note on what a good size for a sump of a tank of this size would be, or at least a good rule of thumb. I also seem to be having issues finding a note as what the cycle rate per hour should be, at least a good rule of thumb.

Honestly I've seen everything from 1:2 (100G Tank/50G Sump) on the sump size, to 1:5 (100G Tank/20G Sump), but nothing that actually justifies more or less. As for the cycle rate, I've seen everything from 10 times per hour to 20, and again nothing that specifically defines when too many times is too much flow... :|

Thanks!!

[secretweapons22]

The bigger the sump the better.. more room.. bigger volume.. more stable.... go with as big as you can...

[neogenix]

The bigger the sump the better.. more room.. bigger volume.. more stable.... go with as big as you can...

Should I include the sump volume in my cycle calculations?

[Gseclipse02]

the biggest sump you can fit the better .... i kick my self every time for making my stand and not measuring my 55g sump ( it didint fit :( )

[secretweapons22]

Turn over is dependent on what type of coral and what you might use as alternative flow such as power heads... Also if you plan of having a fuge in your sump and the lay out of said sump. If you have a fuge in your sump you will want to either to lower the flow or have the sump in one section and return in the center and skimmer on the other side so that you can regulate the flow in the fuge while still providing plenty of water to the pump. if you want to just use power heads your flow in the sump could be slow with no real harm, as long as it isnt stagnant.

[neogenix]

Turn over is dependent on what type of coral and what you might use as alternative flow such as power heads... Also if you plan of having a fuge in your sump and the lay out of said sump. If you have a fuge in your sump you will want to either to lower the flow or have the sump in one section and return in the center and skimmer on the other side so that you can regulate the flow in the fuge while still providing plenty of water to the pump. if you want to just use power heads your flow in the sump could be slow with no real harm, as long as it isnt stagnant.

Thanks for the help!!

[Europhyllia]

I like it slow through the sump and get the flow in the main display via powerheads.
Mine is 125/50
return 640, total flow varying 4600-7600 (Vortechs on Lagoon mode plus a Seio)
No SPS :D, just LPS and gorgs
When I went from a 20g sump to a 50g sump the larger fuge really cut back on pH swing (opposite light cycle)

[txg8gxp]

I'm new but I totally agree with karin. Big sump and slow flow, give the filter time to do it thing. Then if more flow is needed for coral add some powerheads.

[ErikH]

29g and a mag7..... good to go. :)

[ErikH]

oh yeah, alot of that turnover stuff is bogus.... I have a 75 with a 100g rubbermaid tub for a HUGE fuge and have a 7 on it. I used to have a 5 on it, and for a few days during my move an mj1200, lol. I have SPS and clams, etc. Things are growin! :D

[neogenix]

The reason I'm asking is that I'm considering buying the 55G from TXMike, and a pump from NaCl_H2O, which has a flow rated at 12xx (can't recall the number off hand), and I'm just wondering if that'll be *too* much...?

[ErikH]

It will be alot, but there is always head loss, pvc elbows, and Ts that you can reduce that flow if you find it to be too much. I have 2K4s in my tank, a 75 with 2400 gph just off the powerheads.

[ErikH]

I would go slower though..... like a mag5....

[neogenix]

It will be alot, but there is always head loss, pvc elbows, and Ts that you can reduce that flow if you find it to be too much. I have 2K4s in my tank, a 75 with 2400 gph just off the powerheads.

Yeah, the price is near unbeatable, so we'll give it a whirl, and if things don't look like they're working as expected, then i'll cut it down.


I would go slower though..... like a mag5....

Ah, the price, the price, the price is on faaaiaaaa!