Flow rate through back chambers

[leedaly52]

Hi guys, so finally got the new tank ordered! It's a 180 litre custom cube that I'm making an all in one. Question is what flow rate would be ideal through the back chambers? I'll have a media rack in the first chamber, heaters and skimmer in the middle and ato switch and return pump in 3rd chamber. My thoughts are around 10x turnover or lower to give enough time for skimmer to do its thing and enough time in contact woth the media, but information is hard to come by. What flow rates do you all have?

[Muraki]

---From my recent experience, but this is with a sumped system, The flow rate through the back chamber really shouldn't matter to much. As long as your flow in the display is met with the return pump or extra power heads.

---I started a 22L with a 50G sump, running near 1600-2000gph through the sump with a DeepWater DC8 pump. My skimmer is pulling gunk out without troubles along with the chaeto and caulupra in the sump and display growing like weeds.

---I figured that no matter how much flow through the sump, or back chamber, in the long run, the water will have the same amount of contact with the media and skimmer as it would if it were running slower, just not the same duration of contact. If that makes sense.

So I would work the math into how much flow you wish to have along with the power heads.

 

Other will probably disagree with me, or agree. But I still consider myself a rookie in the field of saltwater.

[Urchinhead]

10x is a good number.

[leedaly52]

Thanks both. I will be adding additional powerheads to take my overall flow up to around 30x turnover in the display, but will aim to have around 10x through the chambers.