Filter Rates & Flows

[Lunar Jetman]

For me personally. It's gonna be a bit of a faff to get the figures you want. I have a TetraTec EX1200, outlet hose attached to spraybar etc etc. I could disconnect spraybar and attach another hose to outflow pipe and to bucket. But I don't have any leftover hose long enough to do this, so I'd have to buy another meter or two of hose basically just for this purpose. Once job done get everything back together again.

I can do this but not everyone is willing to go to too much trouble for this.

 
Or at your next water change, when you've drained off enough water that your spray bar is above the water line, hold a container under the spray bar to catch the water?

 

[DrRob]

There's an old thread on a similar vein somewhere deep in hardware, I'll see if I can dig it up.

 

[Metka]

There's an old thread on a similar vein somewhere deep in hardware, I'll see if I can dig it up.

That'll be brilliant - get some more data in the files!

 

[DrRob]

Here you go,
 
http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/370607-external-filter-tests/?hl=+flow%20+rates

 

[Blobfish]

I'll see if I can try and get some data tomorrow while I'm cleaning  Despite it been some what dirty data (is that an unintentional pun?  I think it might be ) I think it could provide some valuable real-world insights.

 

[Lunar Jetman]

Just carried out a water change and filter clean so tested my Rena XP3 before and after the clean.

Manufacturer claims 1350lph pump but 706lph with media.

My test before cleaning came out at 240lph and then 480lph after the clean. So cleaning doubled my flow rate but still over 200lph less than manufacturer claims.

 

[daizeUK]

Eheim Classic 2213
 
Brand new setup and clean media (2 coarse blue sponges, 2 fine sponges, 1L of ceramic bio-rings, carbon pad)
 
Advertised flow rate: 440 lph
My flow rate: 460 lph

 
So Eheim aren't lying when they advertise their flow rates based on full media! 
Filter Flowrate Rating: 104.5%

 

[mhancock]

Eheim Classic 2213
 
Brand new setup and clean media (2 coarse blue sponges, 2 fine sponges, 1L of ceramic bio-rings, carbon pad)
 
Advertised flow rate: 440 lph
My flow rate: 460 lph

 
So Eheim aren't lying when they advertise their flow rates based on full media! 
Filter Flowrate Rating: 104.5%

Great endorsement for Eheim

 

[KirkyArcher]

just digging up this old thread as I was about to start my water change in the 33 gal that is filtered by a Fluval 206, had a 2 litre jug to hand and timed how long it took to fill, which was a pitiful 18.04 seconds = 399 lph

I've then cleaned the sponges and replaced the floss in the filter it then took just 15.86 seconds which boosted flow to 453 lph, I've removed half the volume of the biofoam by cutting it half and filled the rest of the tray with floss and now get a flow rate of 502 lph all of wich still fall way short of the 780 lph (206 US GPH)* when empty
*fluval data

 

[coolie]

Having just installed my Fluval 406  (well moved it from one tank to another) I noted from the instructions that adding an inlet (to filter) lift tube affects the through-put as does the distance between the surface of the water and the highest point in the tube before it turns downward to the filter.