[kien]

Originally Posted by HaZRaTTy

Hey,

Again I'm struck between the flow in my 70G Reef. I have been trying to research and figure out whats best but there is so many arguments bordering both sides that I would apprecaite a few peoples opinions and suggestions.

What's best for your tank is one part trial and error and one part personal preference. Some guys like to blast their tanks with so much flow that they can not keep a sand bed down. Some hobbyists are at the other end of the spectrum. In either approach you have to keep an eye on your corals sort of observe their health and behaviour. Some corals will like lots of flow some not so much. This is why opinions are all over the map on this subject. You can see in this thread where some people sit with flowrates in their tank.. http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/sho...highlight=flow

I haven't bought a return pump from my sump yet so I'm open to ideas. Here are a few things that are clear like MUD

Flow through Sump? - GPH on Return Pump? Head of Approx 3 Feet? Suggestions on a model of pump.

The flow through your sump should be well matched to what flow rate your skimmer can handle. Every pump you research will will have an adjusted flow based on head loss/height.

Powerheads? Should I be aiming for about 25x Water Cycle? Which would put me at approx 1700GPH?

Again, one part personal preference and one part trial and error.

The water cycle through your system isn't measured by the water flowing through your sump but more the Amount of Flow in your tank?

I'm not sure what you mean by water cycle through your system. Do you mean the water that enters your display tank via the return pump and then out of your tank via the overflow? or do you mean the water that's being pushed around your tank by powerheads?

So If I aimed at around a 500-600GPH Return Pump and made up teh 1000GPH in Powerheads would that be sufficient in Flow for LPS/SPS?

Maybe yes, maybe no? Different corals appreciate different levels of flow. You have to observe them to see how they are behaving and reacting to the flow you're giving them. That may be enough for some corals but may not be enough for others. That may be too much flow for some corals.
You have to also consider the quality of your flow as well. It isn't as simple as counting the flow rate in your tank and calling it a day. Some people can get away with a very low flow rate in their tanks because the quality of their flow is quite good.

Appreciate any clearing of the mud anyone can do.

responses in magenta.