Recommended Rated Flow
321 GPH
Turnover
5.0x/hr
Media
3.2 L
Use 0-1 ft for sponge filters, 3-5 ft for most canisters, and 1-2 ft for HOB filters.
Recommended Filter Rating
321
GPH minimum
Practical Range
321-369 GPH
Turnover
5.0x/hr
Media Volume
3.2 L
Filter Class
large
Plan to clean mechanical media roughly every 28 days and consider leaving headroom for dirty media and real-world flow loss.
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This gives a planted tank enough circulation and media capacity without sizing the filter too tightly.
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Cichlids produce heavy waste so a higher turnover rate and more biological media are recommended.
Many freshwater tanks work around 5 to 6 times turnover per hour, while cichlid, reef, and turtle setups often need much more because of higher waste load and stronger circulation targets.
Manufacturer ratings are usually measured with a clean filter and little or no head loss. Real flow drops once media gets dirty and the pump has to push water upward.
Canister filters are the most popular choice for planted tanks because they provide high flow with minimal surface agitation, which helps retain dissolved CO2 for plant growth.
Mechanical media like sponges and floss should be rinsed in old tank water every 2 to 4 weeks. Biological media like ceramic rings and bio-balls should be rinsed only when flow drops noticeably.
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Last Updated: Mar 11, 2026
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