how much flow through sump?

6stang9 · 05/04/2006, 11:42 AM

im looking for a return pump for a 92g rr tank with a 20g sump is a mag 9.5 too much or not enough?

MCary · 05/04/2006, 11:44 AM

If you have a heater and skimmer in your tank you need to have enough flow to feed your skimmer and keep your main tank warm and thats about it. Flow in the main tank can be accomplished with power heads.

Mike

6stang9 · 05/04/2006, 11:48 AM

i do have heater and skimmer in sump so do you think a 9.5 is good? thank you

crumbletop · 05/04/2006, 11:52 AM

That was too much for me. I have read that 3-5 times tank volume through the sump is what to shoot for. That would be ~240 - 450 gph for your tank. I started with ~900 gph through my 20 gal sump for my 90 and had trouble with microbubbles. I cut back to ~300 gph which is plenty for my heater to keep the temp stable.

RE powerheads for flow -- I agree with this. You get more bang for your buck with powerheads, and they don't have to overcome gravity to give you flow, so you'll end up needing less watts which = less heat. You could also go closed loop for flow, but I don't have any experience with that...

Jack

crumbletop · 05/04/2006, 11:55 AM

One other thing to add -- you could do more flow through the sump if you have large drain pipes (mine was 1 inch) and/or if you have multiple overflows. The AGA handles ~600 gph or so, so pushing more than this causes turbulance and bubbles -- at least that was the problem I was having. I'm much happier with reduced flow...

Jack

MCary · 05/04/2006, 01:31 PM

If the pump on your skimmer is say a Mag 7, with the flow restriction of a skimmer, your probably pushing 500 gph through the skimmer. In that case you would want at least 500 gph going through the sump, otherwise your just recycling alot of already skimmed water.

If your main tanks temp is too low, but the sump temp is hot then your also not running enough.

I would guess a mag 9.5 is fine. You will lose some flow from head loss, but you should be pumping 700-800 gph.

Mike

05/04/2006, 11:42 AM	#1
6stang9 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: ashburnham,ma Posts: 105	how much flow through sump? im looking for a return pump for a 92g rr tank with a 20g sump is a mag 9.5 too much or not enough?

05/04/2006, 11:52 AM	#4
crumbletop Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 4,718	That was too much for me. I have read that 3-5 times tank volume through the sump is what to shoot for. That would be ~240 - 450 gph for your tank. I started with ~900 gph through my 20 gal sump for my 90 and had trouble with microbubbles. I cut back to ~300 gph which is plenty for my heater to keep the temp stable. RE powerheads for flow -- I agree with this. You get more bang for your buck with powerheads, and they don't have to overcome gravity to give you flow, so you'll end up needing less watts which = less heat. You could also go closed loop for flow, but I don't have any experience with that... Jack __________________ "Misers get up early in the morning; and burglars, I am informed, get up the night before." - GK Chesterton Current Tank Info: 90 gallon AGA RR. 20 gal sump. 6x54W T5. AquaController Jr.

05/04/2006, 11:55 AM	#5
crumbletop Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 4,718	One other thing to add -- you could do more flow through the sump if you have large drain pipes (mine was 1 inch) and/or if you have multiple overflows. The AGA handles ~600 gph or so, so pushing more than this causes turbulance and bubbles -- at least that was the problem I was having. I'm much happier with reduced flow... Jack __________________ "Misers get up early in the morning; and burglars, I am informed, get up the night before." - GK Chesterton Current Tank Info: 90 gallon AGA RR. 20 gal sump. 6x54W T5. AquaController Jr.

05/04/2006, 11:44 AM	#2
MCary Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hardin, Montana Posts: 3,142	If you have a heater and skimmer in your tank you need to have enough flow to feed your skimmer and keep your main tank warm and thats about it. Flow in the main tank can be accomplished with power heads. Mike

05/04/2006, 11:48 AM	#3
6stang9 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: ashburnham,ma Posts: 105	i do have heater and skimmer in sump so do you think a 9.5 is good? thank you

05/04/2006, 01:31 PM	#6
MCary Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Hardin, Montana Posts: 3,142	If the pump on your skimmer is say a Mag 7, with the flow restriction of a skimmer, your probably pushing 500 gph through the skimmer. In that case you would want at least 500 gph going through the sump, otherwise your just recycling alot of already skimmed water. If your main tanks temp is too low, but the sump temp is hot then your also not running enough. I would guess a mag 9.5 is fine. You will lose some flow from head loss, but you should be pumping 700-800 gph. Mike