What return pump do i need?

[pneumaticbetta]

Curious if my return pump is sufficient. I can calculate GPH (keeping in mind the operating height and return resistance) with the pump i am currently using.

Not sure what i need to do to figure out which new pump to get (if needed)

Heres what I know...

DT actual water volume: 80 gal
Sump actual water volume: 40 gal
Total system water volume: 120gal

Return pump line height 4' 10"
*Return line is 3/4" flexible tubing with minimal bends.

Id like to use a turnover rate of 10x-15x or more whichever is recommended for corals/fish/inverts. I can buy a new pump but am unsure of which at the moment.

[dailydriven911]

5-10x is recommended. I'd look at a pump in the 1000-1300gph range and dial down the pump a bit. You're going to lose some power too with the head loss/elbows etc.

Fish and coral wont be relying on your return for flow anyway. Depending on your tanks dims and type of corals anywhere from 30-50x turnover is good. You could go less for softies but more flow is always better. So you're looking to aim for 2400-4000 gph turnover total.

[klwheat]

One quick question...what size and how many drain lines do you have. That might limit your return pump selection a bit.

[azjohnny]

I would target about 5x DT turnover after head loss. I use the return pump for filtration and do not factor in the return pump when calculating water flow in the DT, for that i use circulation pumps

Sicce 3 would give you about 500 gph at 5 ft of head. If you have any 90 degree bends add 1 ft of head for each one

http://www.marinedepot.com/Sicce_Syn...WPSBUF-vi.html

The sicee pumps have a built in flow reducer if you need to reduce flow

[A sea K]

Here is a handy tool to help you make a decision based on your actual plumbing design.
http://www.reefcentral.com/index.php...oss-calculator

[pneumaticbetta]

Originally Posted by dailydriven911

5-10x is recommended. I'd look at a pump in the 1000-1300gph range and dial down the pump a bit. You're going to lose some power too with the head loss/elbows etc.

Fish and coral wont be relying on your return for flow anyway. Depending on your tanks dims and type of corals anywhere from 30-50x turnover is good. You could go less for softies but more flow is always better. So you're looking to aim for 2400-4000 gph turnover total.

You mention above 5-10x is recommended and below you mention 30-50x? Is 5-10x minimum and some reefers go as much as 50x? Im somewhat confused here.

Originally Posted by klwheat

One quick question...what size and how many drain lines do you have. That might limit your return pump selection a bit.

I currently have one drain line that is 1". But I am in the process of reconfiguring my sump so now is the time to change anything.
From the DT the water moves through an overflow than to an external siphon break box. This has flexible tubing that i will connect to a small pvc manifold Tee near the pump. Currently the manifold consists of 2-1" 45s, 1-1" 1" 3/4" Tee, 1-3/4" 45, 1-1" Valve, 1 3/4" Valve.

Originally Posted by azjohnny

I would target about 5x DT turnover after head loss. I use the return pump for filtration and do not factor in the return pump when calculating water flow in the DT, for that i use circulation pumps
Sicce 3 would give you about 500 gph at 5 ft of head. If you have any 90 degree bends add 1 ft of head for each one

http://www.marinedepot.com/Sicce_Syn...WPSBUF-vi.html

The sicee pumps have a built in flow reducer if you need to reduce flow

Ive actually never calculated water flow in the DT. I have a koralia (mid sized) and a return pump moving water in a clockwise fashion. That sicce 3 looks nice. I have to pumps that work great. Should I try to measure the output at the given head height?

Originally Posted by A sea K

Here is a handy tool to help you make a decision based on your actual plumbing design.
http://www.reefcentral.com/index.php...oss-calculator

Thanks for the tool, Ill definitely use!

[azjohnny]

You mention above 5-10x is recommended and below you mention 30-50x? Is 5-10x minimum and some reefers go as much as 50x? Im somewhat confused here.

The 5-10x is for the return and would be the flow going through the sump. If the flow going through the sump is too fast the filtration ( skimmer, ATS and reactors) becomes less efficient

The 50x turnover would be for water flow inside the display tank ( circulation pumps/closed loop)

[pneumaticbetta]

Originally Posted by azjohnny

The 5-10x is for the return and would be the flow going through the sump. If the flow going through the sump is too fast the filtration ( skimmer, ATS and reactors) becomes less efficient

The 50x turnover would be for water flow inside the display tank ( circulation pumps/closed loop)

ah ok thankyou!