Sump Question

chemesgh · 03/24/2006, 12:42 AM

Hi all, I am setting up a 10 gal sump for my 55 gal tank this weekend. My question was mainly on the return pump. I'm looking at about 4' of head, and am not sure about what kind of return flow I should be targetting? Also, pump recommendations once I know what a good target for return flow should be. Also, I was thinking of trying flex hose/ vinyl tubing instead of straight pvc pipe for the return to perhaps reduce some of the head loss? Any benefits/concerns I should note? I appreciate your help!!!

Blown 346 · 03/24/2006, 01:31 AM

I will assume you have a 1" drain on the overflow, so that can flow 600GPH. Yopu will need a return pump of atleats 600GPH since you have to take the 4 foot of head into concideration.

I like either Quiet One or Ehiem pumps.

The flex hose or PVC wont have any effect on headloss since it will still be 4 feet.

mg426 · 03/24/2006, 02:28 AM

You can try the head loss calculator, a very handy thing indeed.

chemesgh · 03/24/2006, 05:56 AM

Cool, thanks for the advice. And sorry about that, I meant to reduce some of the frictional losses, not head loss. It was late when I was typing that!

03/24/2006, 12:42 AM	#1
chemesgh Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Pensacola FL Posts: 179	Sump Question Hi all, I am setting up a 10 gal sump for my 55 gal tank this weekend. My question was mainly on the return pump. I'm looking at about 4' of head, and am not sure about what kind of return flow I should be targetting? Also, pump recommendations once I know what a good target for return flow should be. Also, I was thinking of trying flex hose/ vinyl tubing instead of straight pvc pipe for the return to perhaps reduce some of the head loss? Any benefits/concerns I should note? I appreciate your help!!! __________________ It's a hobby, relax and enjoy it!! Current Tank Info: 100 gallon is...down for now! But I couldn't completely give it up..... 20 Gal cube up and running - Odyssea 24" - 1 x 250W 15K HQI, 2x 65W PC Actinic, Seio M620, AquaC Remora Pro

03/24/2006, 02:28 AM	#3
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	You can try the head loss calculator, a very handy thing indeed. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

03/24/2006, 05:56 AM	#4
chemesgh Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Pensacola FL Posts: 179	Cool, thanks for the advice. And sorry about that, I meant to reduce some of the frictional losses, not head loss. It was late when I was typing that! __________________ It's a hobby, relax and enjoy it!! Current Tank Info: 100 gallon is...down for now! But I couldn't completely give it up..... 20 Gal cube up and running - Odyssea 24" - 1 x 250W 15K HQI, 2x 65W PC Actinic, Seio M620, AquaC Remora Pro

03/24/2006, 01:31 AM	#2
Blown 346 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Rockford, Illinois Posts: 6,596	I will assume you have a 1" drain on the overflow, so that can flow 600GPH. Yopu will need a return pump of atleats 600GPH since you have to take the 4 foot of head into concideration. I like either Quiet One or Ehiem pumps. The flex hose or PVC wont have any effect on headloss since it will still be 4 feet.