40Breeder, 30 sump, Mag 9.5.. too much flow?

Snakebyt · 09/23/2009, 11:24 PM

I am running a 40 breeder display with an oceanic sump that i put baffles in for a sump, about 20 gallons of water in there. I am using a Mag 9.5 return pump. Is this too much flow for my sump? I had the pump already so thats why i used it, but now im wondering if i shouldnt slow down the flow thru the sump and use somthing like a Mag 5 or somthing?

I am having some problems with stuff floating around in the tank and wondering if i just have too much flow thru the sump to let it have a chance to settle. What are the pros/cons to having that much flow thru a sump?

jenglish · 09/23/2009, 11:49 PM

That seems like a whole lot of flow for that sized tank. I like the water from the return to be clean and I am not sure the filtration setup in your sump is going to get much of a chance to clean out much. You definately are going to get less settling with that much flow. I like my pas through to be aroudn 10x the DT.

Demonic · 09/24/2009, 01:41 AM

Pros: More flow

Cons: Louder, microbubbles, more heat

What do you mean stuff floating around? I dont think its too much flow if you are not having a problem with microbubbles.

Snakebyt · 09/24/2009, 02:00 AM

not microbubbles, more like sand particles or somthing

Demonic · 09/24/2009, 02:26 AM

Try to point the return away from the sand. Maybe have it hit the glass.

username in use · 09/24/2009, 05:37 AM

I am currently running a 40breeder with a 30g sump(holding about 20) haha. I do use a mag 5 and am very happy with the results. I run it into a 1/2" sea swirl and it gets really nice flow to all parts of the tank, but leaves my sand bed in place, and I use the oolitic sand.

tydtran · 09/24/2009, 07:33 AM

The usual recommendation is 3-5 times tank volume through your sump. So by this measure you have too much flow through your sump. You want things to go slow through your sump to allow for settling and filtration, especially if you have a refugium.

You should not rely on your return pump to provide all the necessary flow in your display. Additional flow in your display should come from powerheads or a closed loop.

09/23/2009, 11:24 PM	#1
Snakebyt Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Lubbock Tx Posts: 2,141	40Breeder, 30 sump, Mag 9.5.. too much flow? I am running a 40 breeder display with an oceanic sump that i put baffles in for a sump, about 20 gallons of water in there. I am using a Mag 9.5 return pump. Is this too much flow for my sump? I had the pump already so thats why i used it, but now im wondering if i shouldnt slow down the flow thru the sump and use somthing like a Mag 5 or somthing? I am having some problems with stuff floating around in the tank and wondering if i just have too much flow thru the sump to let it have a chance to settle. What are the pros/cons to having that much flow thru a sump?

09/23/2009, 11:49 PM	#2
jenglish Marquis de Carabas Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Evansville, IN Posts: 2,523	That seems like a whole lot of flow for that sized tank. I like the water from the return to be clean and I am not sure the filtration setup in your sump is going to get much of a chance to clean out much. You definately are going to get less settling with that much flow. I like my pas through to be aroudn 10x the DT. __________________ Jeremy Brown liquor never hurt anybody “Je n'ai pas besoin de cette hypothèse" Pierre-Simon Laplace I should want to cook him a simple meal, but I shouldn't want to cut into him, to tear the flesh, to wear the flesh, to be born unto new worlds where his flesh becomes my key. Current Tank Info: broken and dry

09/24/2009, 01:41 AM	#3
Demonic Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Minot, ND Posts: 815	Pros: More flow Cons: Louder, microbubbles, more heat What do you mean stuff floating around? I dont think its too much flow if you are not having a problem with microbubbles. __________________ 23,996 thawed iced cubes in a big cube and filled with flowers that grow under water.

09/24/2009, 02:26 AM	#5
Demonic Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Minot, ND Posts: 815	Try to point the return away from the sand. Maybe have it hit the glass. __________________ 23,996 thawed iced cubes in a big cube and filled with flowers that grow under water.

09/24/2009, 05:37 AM	#6
username in use Sciencing Daily Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 6,560	I am currently running a 40breeder with a 30g sump(holding about 20) haha. I do use a mag 5 and am very happy with the results. I run it into a 1/2" sea swirl and it gets really nice flow to all parts of the tank, but leaves my sand bed in place, and I use the oolitic sand. __________________ Joshua "With fronds like these, who needs anemones?" - Albert Einstein Current Tank Info: multiple nano's sprinkled around the house

09/24/2009, 02:00 AM	#4
Snakebyt Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Lubbock Tx Posts: 2,141	not microbubbles, more like sand particles or somthing

09/24/2009, 07:33 AM	#7
tydtran Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 853	The usual recommendation is 3-5 times tank volume through your sump. So by this measure you have too much flow through your sump. You want things to go slow through your sump to allow for settling and filtration, especially if you have a refugium. You should not rely on your return pump to provide all the necessary flow in your display. Additional flow in your display should come from powerheads or a closed loop.