What pump size should I get for my sump/fuge?

ctopal · 02/05/2006, 02:23 PM

I'm building a sump/fuge for my 90 with a 29 long which will sit in the cabinet. My main reason is for pods for a mandarin fish I just bought. I'm wondering how many gph should I look for in my pump? I will also have 2 350gph powerheads still in the main tank for flow. I'd like to balance having enough flow for the tank while maintaining the best environment for exporting pods (which is most important).

Thanks!

dattack · 02/05/2006, 02:46 PM

I don't run too much flow through my sump. Most of the flow is actually in the main tank via powerheads/close loops.
With a 90 gallon tank, I would probably run a 600-1000 gph pump.

ctopal · 02/05/2006, 03:00 PM

I was thinking of 900 gph with a 600 gph overflow box. I'm pretty sure this would be enough flow for my tank, just don't want to hurt the pods.

sjm817 · 02/05/2006, 03:36 PM

3 - 5x display size. 270 - 450 GPH. Mag5 -7 is a good size pump. Mag9 is too much.

DaveAngie79 · 02/05/2006, 04:25 PM

ive heard you can get a manderon to ear shirmp eggs

boodwah · 02/05/2006, 06:02 PM

I agree with SJM817. I just put together the exact same size setup, 90 gallon Glasscages tank with a 29 inch overflow tank. I'm using a Mag 950 and it overcomes my overflow and tries to come over the edge of my tank if I put the black slotted overflow cover on there. And yes, I have cut new slots. I'd do the 500.

ctopal · 02/05/2006, 07:18 PM

Okay, so I looked at Mag 5 & 7, but I would need an overflow box with less gph which I've seen at 300 and 600. So if I went with the mag5 I'd have to get a 300gph overflow which I think would not be good enought. So do you think the 600 overflow with a Mag7 would be good for my setup?

Thanks for the input!

sjm817 · 02/05/2006, 10:10 PM

The overflow has to have a higher flow capacity than the pump. A 600 GPH overflow and a Mag5 would work fine.

stelow · 02/05/2006, 10:25 PM

I would get an eheim pump.

ctopal · 02/06/2006, 06:34 AM

I was told the opposite, that the pump has to have a higher capacity. I'm confused, anyone else?

Quote:

Originally posted by sjm817
The overflow has to have a higher flow capacity than the pump. A 600 GPH overflow and a Mag5 would work fine.

sjm817 · 02/06/2006, 06:43 AM

Look at it this way. The return pump pumps water into the display tank. The overflow drains it back to the sump.

If you have a return pump that pumps in 500 GPH, and the overflow can drain 600 GPH max, it works.

If you have a return pump that pumps in 600 GPH, and the overflow can drain 500 GPH max, you have 100 GPH on the floor.

And yes, I like Eheim pumps too. I run a 1260.

ctopal · 02/06/2006, 06:59 AM

That makes sense, it was one of my questions on the other theory.

02/05/2006, 02:23 PM	#1
ctopal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Columbia, Connecticut Posts: 953	What pump size should I get for my sump/fuge? I'm building a sump/fuge for my 90 with a 29 long which will sit in the cabinet. My main reason is for pods for a mandarin fish I just bought. I'm wondering how many gph should I look for in my pump? I will also have 2 350gph powerheads still in the main tank for flow. I'd like to balance having enough flow for the tank while maintaining the best environment for exporting pods (which is most important). Thanks!

02/05/2006, 03:00 PM	#3
ctopal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Columbia, Connecticut Posts: 953	I was thinking of 900 gph with a 600 gph overflow box. I'm pretty sure this would be enough flow for my tank, just don't want to hurt the pods. __________________ Christine YES they're pitbulls and they're NOT mean! Current Tank Info: 90 gallon saltwater reef with 30 gallon sump/refugium

02/05/2006, 03:36 PM	#4
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	3 - 5x display size. 270 - 450 GPH. Mag5 -7 is a good size pump. Mag9 is too much. __________________ - Scott

02/05/2006, 06:02 PM	#6
boodwah Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 145	I agree with SJM817. I just put together the exact same size setup, 90 gallon Glasscages tank with a 29 inch overflow tank. I'm using a Mag 950 and it overcomes my overflow and tries to come over the edge of my tank if I put the black slotted overflow cover on there. And yes, I have cut new slots. I'd do the 500. __________________ Boodwah Single handedly keeping the carpet cleaning industry in Nashville alive. Current Tank Info: 90 gal Glasscages w/overflow, 30 gal sump, Won 200 Skimmer, 115lbs live rock, 260w PC, 60w T-5, mad wife

02/05/2006, 07:18 PM	#7
ctopal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Columbia, Connecticut Posts: 953	Okay, so I looked at Mag 5 & 7, but I would need an overflow box with less gph which I've seen at 300 and 600. So if I went with the mag5 I'd have to get a 300gph overflow which I think would not be good enought. So do you think the 600 overflow with a Mag7 would be good for my setup? Thanks for the input! __________________ Christine YES they're pitbulls and they're NOT mean! Current Tank Info: 90 gallon saltwater reef with 30 gallon sump/refugium

02/05/2006, 02:46 PM	#2
dattack Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 4,992	I don't run too much flow through my sump. Most of the flow is actually in the main tank via powerheads/close loops. With a 90 gallon tank, I would probably run a 600-1000 gph pump.

02/05/2006, 04:25 PM	#5
DaveAngie79 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Greenwood, IN Posts: 662	ive heard you can get a manderon to ear shirmp eggs

02/05/2006, 10:10 PM	#8
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	The overflow has to have a higher flow capacity than the pump. A 600 GPH overflow and a Mag5 would work fine. __________________ - Scott

02/05/2006, 10:25 PM	#9
stelow Moved On Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Indiana, USA Posts: 472	I would get an eheim pump.

02/06/2006, 06:43 AM	#11
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	Look at it this way. The return pump pumps water into the display tank. The overflow drains it back to the sump. If you have a return pump that pumps in 500 GPH, and the overflow can drain 600 GPH max, it works. If you have a return pump that pumps in 600 GPH, and the overflow can drain 500 GPH max, you have 100 GPH on the floor. And yes, I like Eheim pumps too. I run a 1260. __________________ - Scott

02/06/2006, 06:59 AM	#12
ctopal Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Columbia, Connecticut Posts: 953	That makes sense, it was one of my questions on the other theory. __________________ Christine YES they're pitbulls and they're NOT mean! Current Tank Info: 90 gallon saltwater reef with 30 gallon sump/refugium