I have a Fluval M90 reef tank that I am modifying to be a planted tank. It’s 136l and had a rear sump similar to a Fluval Flex, but on a much larger scale. It has 4 sections and I have modified the baffles a little to correct the flow through them. I have the original return pump, but it is really small and I can’t find any info to show how powerful it is. I am going to have the first section of the rear filled with various grade foams, the second and third filled with alfagrog and the pump and my heater in the last.
Went to lfs today and they advised going for 600lph return pump and a circulation pump in the tank.
I was planning on an Eheim CompactOn 2000lph as the next one down is 1000 with nothing in between, but they do have adjustable flow so I can aim for around 10x turnover per hour.
Guys in lfs said I’m stuffing so much in the rear compartments that a more powerful pump will empty the sump faster than it can fill so it will dry out. They said I’m better off with a smaller power pump and a circulation pump in the tank to give me the flow I want. I was aiming for a 10x per hour turnover through the sump, but what they’re saying makes sense so now I’m confused - what shall I go with?
Went to lfs today and they advised going for 600lph return pump and a circulation pump in the tank.
I was planning on an Eheim CompactOn 2000lph as the next one down is 1000 with nothing in between, but they do have adjustable flow so I can aim for around 10x turnover per hour.
Guys in lfs said I’m stuffing so much in the rear compartments that a more powerful pump will empty the sump faster than it can fill so it will dry out. They said I’m better off with a smaller power pump and a circulation pump in the tank to give me the flow I want. I was aiming for a 10x per hour turnover through the sump, but what they’re saying makes sense so now I’m confused - what shall I go with?