how many times a hour should the water go through the sump?

Milad · #1 04-01-2010, 10:46 PM

just wondering how many times an hour should the tank water go through the sump? 1? 5? 10?

xtreme · #2 04-01-2010, 11:17 PM

I would aim for about 3-5x per hour.

golf nut · #3 04-01-2010, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milad

just wondering how many times an hour should the tank water go through the sump? 1? 5? 10?

If you have selected the correct skimmer and the flow in the tank is moving the water towards the overflow box then.. 2 or 2 1/2 times max.

Zoaelite · #4 04-01-2010, 11:30 PM

There is really no set amount, slow or fast both work the same. Mine is set at about 800GPH swap over or almost 5 complete tank volumes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr OM

If you have selected the correct skimmer and the flow in the tank is moving the water towards the overflow box then.. 2 or 2 1/2 times max.

Why a max of 2?

golf nut · #5 04-01-2010, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zoaElite

There is really no set amount, slow or fast both work the same. Mine is set at about 800GPH swap over or almost 5 complete tank volumes..
Levi

Actually skimmers work best at a 1 times turnover, that's how they are designed, beyond that they become less efficient.

Zoaelite · #6 04-01-2010, 11:45 PM

I was waiting for someone to make this argument, please explain to me why that would be?

If a skimmer draws in water @ a set rate which is completely unrelated to the water movement around it then why would slowing that water down increase its efficiency?
Levi

golf nut · #7 04-01-2010, 11:50 PM

It's quite simple, if you run a lower turnover rate the water(containing surfactants) coming from the overflow box is concentrated rather than being 10% crap and 90% water in a 10x rate, the skimmer does a far more effective job with a concentrated solution than a diluted one.

freezetyle · #8 04-02-2010, 12:12 AM

By that logic, the same amount of water would pass through the skimmer would it not?

Theoretically:
1gph=100% skimmed
10gph= 10%/gal

I dont really have a preference. As long as water gets skimmed its a win situation.

mark · #9 04-04-2010, 09:19 PM

did the original post even mention a skimmer?

Riptide · #10 04-04-2010, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milad

just wondering how many times an hour should the tank water go through the sump? 1? 5? 10?

I'm even more confused now than before reading this thread....how big is the display tank, how big is the sump, what kinda of skimmer and how many gal is it rated for? also what other equip do you have