Return pump for a 55 gal tank

razec · 11/09/2009, 07:17 AM

I have a 55 gal display tank with 10 gal sump and a 300 gph overflow. I just bought a maxi-jet 3000 which is rated at max 775gph. The distance from the pump to the diplay tank is 4'

Question: Is this pump too big for this system? Seems to me since I have to close the valve almost to the maximum to get a stable flow.

Any advice?

Playa-1 · 11/09/2009, 09:51 AM

How did you come to the conclusion to use that pump?
Did you check the headloss specs?
Have you checked the headloss calculator on the homepage of Reef Central?

Question: Is this pump too big for this system? Seems to me since I have to close the valve almost to the maximum to get a stable flow.
So you have a 300 gph overflow and you're trying to pump a max of 775gph before the headloss is taken into consideration. It sounds like the pump may be a bit oversized for your application but it's hard to tell without seeing the headloss specs from the manufacturer. Many people run oversized pumps and use a ball valve on the return line to regulate the flow. Some will also tee off the return line and use the oversized return pump to run media reactors and things of that nature. I would also suggest that you carefully check your drain lines to make sure you don't have anything that would be restricting the flow thru them.

Chris27 · 11/09/2009, 10:17 AM

That pump is rated at 500 gal/hr at 4' head. I would say it's a little overpowered, but if you used a ballvalve to control the flow you should be just fine.

Make your determination of how far to open/close the ball valve based on your overflow - too much flow will cause the water level in the tank to be very high, almost over the teeth on the overflow, and a low flow will drop the water level down to the bottom of the teeth.

Just strive for a happy medium, you shouldn't damage the pump by restricting it, but if you want to downsize, the only benefit would be that you save yourself a few bucks a year in electricity.

razec · 11/09/2009, 10:54 AM

Playa-1 - I used Reef Central Calculator and I thought that given the fact the the pump is technically at 775 gph and maybe in reality is maybe around 700 -725 and with 4 feet upswing would go to 450- 500 gph. So I thought 100-150 gph more than 300 gph overflow wouldn't be too much. Am I mistaking with something?

11/09/2009, 07:17 AM	#1
razec Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 47	Return pump for a 55 gal tank I have a 55 gal display tank with 10 gal sump and a 300 gph overflow. I just bought a maxi-jet 3000 which is rated at max 775gph. The distance from the pump to the diplay tank is 4' Question: Is this pump too big for this system? Seems to me since I have to close the valve almost to the maximum to get a stable flow. Any advice?

11/09/2009, 09:51 AM	#2
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	How did you come to the conclusion to use that pump? Did you check the headloss specs? Have you checked the headloss calculator on the homepage of Reef Central? Question: Is this pump too big for this system? Seems to me since I have to close the valve almost to the maximum to get a stable flow. So you have a 300 gph overflow and you're trying to pump a max of 775gph before the headloss is taken into consideration. It sounds like the pump may be a bit oversized for your application but it's hard to tell without seeing the headloss specs from the manufacturer. Many people run oversized pumps and use a ball valve on the return line to regulate the flow. Some will also tee off the return line and use the oversized return pump to run media reactors and things of that nature. I would also suggest that you carefully check your drain lines to make sure you don't have anything that would be restricting the flow thru them.

11/09/2009, 10:17 AM	#3
Chris27 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 4,452	That pump is rated at 500 gal/hr at 4' head. I would say it's a little overpowered, but if you used a ballvalve to control the flow you should be just fine. Make your determination of how far to open/close the ball valve based on your overflow - too much flow will cause the water level in the tank to be very high, almost over the teeth on the overflow, and a low flow will drop the water level down to the bottom of the teeth. Just strive for a happy medium, you shouldn't damage the pump by restricting it, but if you want to downsize, the only benefit would be that you save yourself a few bucks a year in electricity.

11/09/2009, 10:54 AM	#4
razec Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 47	Playa-1 - I used Reef Central Calculator and I thought that given the fact the the pump is technically at 775 gph and maybe in reality is maybe around 700 -725 and with 4 feet upswing would go to 450- 500 gph. So I thought 100-150 gph more than 300 gph overflow wouldn't be too much. Am I mistaking with something?