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Equipment Sizer

Plan filter turnover, pump head compensation, and heater wattage for your tank.

Turnover (x/hour)

6

Flow (LPH)

720

Flow (US GPH)

190.2

Suggested Equipment from Database

  • Fluval AC50

    Fluval · 757 LPH · 7 W

  • Tidal 55 HOB

    Seachem · 1000 LPH · 6 W

Related Guide

Choose equipment by biological load and maintenance style, not just tank volume.

Planted tanks and heavily stocked tanks usually benefit from stronger circulation and finer mechanical filtration.

Always cross-check manufacturer flow curves and heater duty cycles before purchasing.

FAQ

How much filter flow do I need?

Aim for about 4x hourly turnover for lightly stocked tanks, 6x for community tanks, and 8-10x for heavily stocked or planted setups.

Why adjust pump flow for head height?

Pump flow drops as lift height increases, so you need overhead capacity.

How is heater wattage estimated?

It scales from about 3 watts per gallon for a small room-to-target gap up to 8 watts per gallon for a large gap (cold room). If in doubt, size up.

Should I oversize equipment?

A small safety margin is good, but extreme oversizing can stress livestock.

What if no equipment appears below?

Your database may not have entries yet. The formulas still work standalone.

Did this answer your question?

Pump head loss is an estimate — actual loss depends on pipe diameter, fitting count, and bends. If in doubt, oversize the heater slightly. Results are estimates based on general guidelines. Individual species may have specific requirements.