return pump question

spider8u · 02/27/2008, 04:50 PM

Hi i have a 100gl tank that i am going to be putting a sump on. I have been using a canister filter on it for a year and using a HOB skimmer but would like to put a bigger skimmer on it. So i am going to put a sump under the tank. My tank is not drilled so i am going to be getting
a HOB LifeReef over flowbox the one that has the Flow rate up to 600 gph what i want to know is what size return pump should i get and what model should i get was looking at the Eheim 1250 Pump or the mag drive pumps if there is any cheaper ones out there let me know.
I will be putting the return pump inside a 20gl sump i will be getting from petsmart its the only size that will fit in my stand as for the skimmer i was looking at getting the Octopus NW-200 Needlewheel Skimmer w/pump or Octopus Premium Extreme INT-PS150 Protein Skimmer witch one would be best thx

jonbry123 · 02/27/2008, 07:33 PM

I have the same set up on my FOWLR tank which is a 155 gl. I have three 600gl/hr overflows and am using Magdrives for all which pump 900gls/hr if I recall. Not sure what the rise is on your tank but mine is about 3ft. You want to be sure you purchase a pump that will do more than the output of the overflow so that you get enough water coming back into the tank which is a bit more than what the overflows pull out. Becuase you have a pump pushing water up the flow rate will be less than if it was pumping with no rise. Also make sure you put a ball valve in the return line so you can adjust the flow back into the tank and be sure to put a hole in the return line just under the water at the top of the tank. If you have a power failure the return line will pull water back out of the tank. The small hole will break the water flow and stop once the water goes below the spot where the hole is. Make sure that your sump can accomodate all water that will flow into it without overflowing onto the floor.

Scott

spider8u · 02/28/2008, 12:13 PM

Thx for the help but not sure what you mean when you said. Not sure what the rise is on your tank but mine is about 3ft.

NirvanaFan · 02/28/2008, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jonbry123
You want to be sure you purchase a pump that will do more than the output of the overflow so that you get enough water coming back into the tank which is a bit more than what the overflows pull out. Becuase you have a pump pushing water up the flow rate will be less than if it was pumping with no rise.

I would get a pump that pushes LESS water than your overflows. If you get one that pushes more, you could overflow your tank.

The rise is the amount of head on the pump. Your return pump in your sump will have to push the water 3 or 4 feet up through your return line. This causes the pump to work harder and the output of the pump isn't has high as it would be if it didn't have to push water up in the air. You can't fit a 29g under your tank?

I like the Eheim pumps. Quiet and runs like a champ. I've got a 1260 and like it a lot.

02/27/2008, 04:50 PM	#1
spider8u Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Victorville CA Posts: 207	return pump question Hi i have a 100gl tank that i am going to be putting a sump on. I have been using a canister filter on it for a year and using a HOB skimmer but would like to put a bigger skimmer on it. So i am going to put a sump under the tank. My tank is not drilled so i am going to be getting a HOB LifeReef over flowbox the one that has the Flow rate up to 600 gph what i want to know is what size return pump should i get and what model should i get was looking at the Eheim 1250 Pump or the mag drive pumps if there is any cheaper ones out there let me know. I will be putting the return pump inside a 20gl sump i will be getting from petsmart its the only size that will fit in my stand as for the skimmer i was looking at getting the Octopus NW-200 Needlewheel Skimmer w/pump or Octopus Premium Extreme INT-PS150 Protein Skimmer witch one would be best thx

02/27/2008, 07:33 PM	#2
jonbry123 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: allentown, pa Posts: 581	I have the same set up on my FOWLR tank which is a 155 gl. I have three 600gl/hr overflows and am using Magdrives for all which pump 900gls/hr if I recall. Not sure what the rise is on your tank but mine is about 3ft. You want to be sure you purchase a pump that will do more than the output of the overflow so that you get enough water coming back into the tank which is a bit more than what the overflows pull out. Becuase you have a pump pushing water up the flow rate will be less than if it was pumping with no rise. Also make sure you put a ball valve in the return line so you can adjust the flow back into the tank and be sure to put a hole in the return line just under the water at the top of the tank. If you have a power failure the return line will pull water back out of the tank. The small hole will break the water flow and stop once the water goes below the spot where the hole is. Make sure that your sump can accomodate all water that will flow into it without overflowing onto the floor. Scott __________________ Bryan "You can swim all day in the Sea of Knowledge and still come out completely dry."-Norman Juster Current Tank Info: 300gl FOWLR/155glRT

02/28/2008, 12:13 PM	#3
spider8u Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Victorville CA Posts: 207	Thx for the help but not sure what you mean when you said. Not sure what the rise is on your tank but mine is about 3ft.