What Flow Rate Should I Have In A 200L Tank?

[Livewire88]

Hi everyone,

I have a 200L Fluval Roma tank that is cycling (fishless) and I want to make sure I have a sufficient flow rate before I add any fish/plants, Tank will only be lightly planted I am using a EX700 Filter and would guess I need to up the flow a little?

Would it be a good ideal to buy a Hydor Koralia NANO 900 Circulation Pump? or even two?
Any other advice/sugestions welcome.

Thanks

 

[Katch]

5-10 x the tank volume. So you want 1000 - 2000 lph through that tank. 10 x is really for heavily planted high tech tanks. For yours, something in the region of 900-1200lph would be good.

 

[TropFishUK]

My filter turns over 1300 which is just over 5x my tank and it's moderatly planted and keeps it nice and clean.

 

[Livewire88]

Thanks for the responses,

So if I buy a Hydor Koralia NANO 900 Circulation Pump, the EX700 is rated at 700 l/h, the Nano 900 rated at 900 l/h = 1600 l/h give or take restriction within the EX700.

Would it be best to locate the powerhead at the outlet (filter pick up pipe) end of tank facing towards the spray bar? should the powerhead be on a timer so its not running all day/night?

 

[Katch]

You'll probably find that the EX700 is enough to be honest. The manufacturer claims its good up to 250L.

See how you go. No point buying more kit than you need and you might find you want something else once it's set up.

What fish you keep will also be a deciding factor. Some like strong flow some don't.

I'm a big fan of having 2 canisters on my tanks. It gives you some redundency and means you're less likely to have an ammonia spike if you clean your filter to enthusiastically.

 

[StandbySetting]

On a 200 litre tank I'd be looking at 2000lph, I use 10x as a minimum on my tanks, I'd go for something like a Tetratec ex1200 with a powerhead.

 

[Livewire88]

You'll probably find that the EX700 is enough to be honest. The manufacturer claims its good up to 250L.

See how you go. No point buying more kit than you need and you might find you want something else once it's set up.

What fish you keep will also be a deciding factor. Some like strong flow some don't.

I'm a big fan of having 2 canisters on my tanks. It gives you some redundency and means you're less likely to have an ammonia spike if you clean your filter to enthusiastically.

Thanks, I would like to keep 2 Electric Blue Rams and not to bothered on what else I have in the tank. Hopefully I can get some fish to feed from the bottom, middle and top so that all the fish have their own space. A shoal of Tetra's would be nice.

I need more advice on stocking idealy.

On a 200 litre tank I'd be looking at 2000lph, I use 10x as a minimum on my tanks, I'd go for something like a Tetratec ex1200 with a powerhead.

Thanks, in hindsight I should have bought a ex1200 but its to late now as the ex700 is allready fitted and doing its stuff.
I might just buy the Hydor Koralia NANO 900 Circulation Pump to be sure I have enought circulation, especially as I will be having plants and will also be adding ferts.

 

[Katch]

I'd suggest getting another canister to go alongside the ex700. If you take your time you'll find a good one on ebay or in the classifieds for about £40.

Think eheim, fluval or another ex700.