RUGF flow rate for GS puffer tank

[growitnow]

Howdy:

GS puffer tank in the making. 30x12x20H (about 30gal).

Setting up RUGF with two powerheads. 2 Penguin powerheads will be used. Model 660 (175gph) or Model 1140 (300gph).

Q: for RUGF, is more better? Or is there such a thing as too much flow through RUGF? (i.e., would 1140s be better choice).

Thanks,
growitnow

[Nick]

Someone that has used one with puffers or much more recently might correct me, but I believe RUGF is a poor choice for puffers. They produce a large waste mass quickly by pooping a lot and making a mess while they eat. I found it frustrating to maintain an UGF of any kind with even fairly light stocked FW tank in the years past, and now buy mostly aquaclear hobs. You will also be heading into the high brackish range with a GSP, at which time you can add a protein skimmer.

[growitnow]

Nick,

Thanks for reply. Sorry if I didn't fill in enough blanks, not sure if that will alter your inclination re: UGF

The tank will be filtered with an Eheim 2128 (marine). Input will have Filtermax III prefilter. Output spraybar will be a few inches off the gravel at the bottom, angled slightly downward pointing toward front of tank. Magnum HOT with micron cartridge will be used for mechanical, plus to create surface water movement.

Each intended powerhead will be used to create RUGF and each will have sponge prefilter. Substrate will be 2-3inches of aragonite. Because tank is 20 inches high I wanted to make sure there was lots of circulation via powerheads. I inferred spraybar at bottom coupled with RUGF would produce cleaner tank than no UGF, and that powerhead-driven RUGF would also contribute to better gas exchange/oxygenation. But I don't at all know whether the 300gph per powerhead would for any reason be undesirable. More is not always better and I don't want to undermine other parts of the 'design' intended to produce a happy and healthy system.

Thanks,
growitnow

[Nick]

Ok, so you plan to use it to keep water moving through all the substrate, and prefiltered, that sounds much better. I think that should work much better, and with the argonite substrate, you will stay very well buffed due to the water flow. If you are using a full 3"+, I think the higher flow will be better, but if you end up going close to 1.5 to 2", the lower flow one will be fine.