How to determine the Right pump Size

mhhauser321 · 02/24/2007, 08:54 PM

Hey guys i am trying to determing the right size water pump for my aquarium, I really am trying to learn something here, i don't just wanna know which pump to use and where to get it, i would like to know how you actually come up with the right pump size.

So if you could plz explain to me how you come up with the right size pump and you don't have to go into grave detail, because i already know something about pumps from what i am reading.

Here is my situation, i have a 15 gallon main tank with a 10gallon sump, the tank has a overflow that is a 4 inch diameter peice of pvc with 1 inch deep teeth. The actual distance the from the sump to the main aquarium is 3ft 8-10 inches plus i have to make the line from the pump go over the edge of the aquarium and into it because i didn't drill a return hole.

I also don't know how the size of the overflow comes into play could you plz help.

Matt

laserjim · 02/24/2007, 09:11 PM

http://reefcentral.com/calc/hlc2.php

mhhauser321 · 02/24/2007, 09:20 PM

wow that explains nothing

sjm817 · 02/24/2007, 09:24 PM

Generally......3 - 5x display size after headloss. Yours is not a typical setup. Its small and the sump is relatively large compared to the display size. I'd go higher than the 3 - 5x rule in your case. Maybe 150 GPH or so.

Larry Waughon · 02/24/2007, 11:02 PM

Is there a bulk head in the drain. The size of the bulk head determins how much water your drain can handle.

02/24/2007, 08:54 PM	#1
mhhauser321 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 283	How to determine the Right pump Size Hey guys i am trying to determing the right size water pump for my aquarium, I really am trying to learn something here, i don't just wanna know which pump to use and where to get it, i would like to know how you actually come up with the right pump size. So if you could plz explain to me how you come up with the right size pump and you don't have to go into grave detail, because i already know something about pumps from what i am reading. Here is my situation, i have a 15 gallon main tank with a 10gallon sump, the tank has a overflow that is a 4 inch diameter peice of pvc with 1 inch deep teeth. The actual distance the from the sump to the main aquarium is 3ft 8-10 inches plus i have to make the line from the pump go over the edge of the aquarium and into it because i didn't drill a return hole. I also don't know how the size of the overflow comes into play could you plz help. Matt __________________ "Fry: I'm not a robot like you, I don't like having discs cramped into me... unless they're Oreos... and then only in the mouth." "Fry: Wow. That guy makes Speedy Gonzalez look like Regular Gonzalez"

02/24/2007, 09:11 PM	#2
laserjim Another Day In Paradise Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,956	http://reefcentral.com/calc/hlc2.php __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 430 gallon, 4 radion gen 3pro, 4 T5 bulbs, 60 inch Life Reef skimmer, Apex gold, 2 Dos dosers, ,80 gallon sump. 2 Cor pumps. 2 Ecotech MP 60 powerheads

02/24/2007, 09:20 PM	#3
mhhauser321 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 283	wow that explains nothing __________________ "Fry: I'm not a robot like you, I don't like having discs cramped into me... unless they're Oreos... and then only in the mouth." "Fry: Wow. That guy makes Speedy Gonzalez look like Regular Gonzalez"

02/24/2007, 09:24 PM	#4
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	Generally......3 - 5x display size after headloss. Yours is not a typical setup. Its small and the sump is relatively large compared to the display size. I'd go higher than the 3 - 5x rule in your case. Maybe 150 GPH or so. __________________ - Scott

02/24/2007, 11:02 PM	#5
Larry Waughon Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Pingree Grove, IL Posts: 1,872	Is there a bulk head in the drain. The size of the bulk head determins how much water your drain can handle.