What size external pump should I use?

TwistedEnvy · 05/11/2010, 01:22 PM

I have a 155 bow front at the moment set up with a sump in the back, however, I recently purchased a 180, 8 footx4foot tank to use as a frag set up. Here is a rough draw up of how it is currently set up. The 155 is on an angel because of previous plans I had to put it in wall, but will no longer be doing. It will be staying at that angle though because there is no way I am tearing the tank down to move it.

There are a couple ways I was thinking about doing this. I could keep the sump area where it is and have an external pump going to both the 155 and 180 from there. Or, I could move all of the sump area underneath the 180 since the stand is 36" tall. This would just require me adding some 2x4s on the bottom to support the weight. I would then run an external pump to both the 180 and 155.

What external pump would I need for these two scenarios, and which scenerio would you choose?

psteeleb · 05/11/2010, 01:56 PM

off the top of my head I'd say a Reflo Dart, or maybe a Baracuda if the sump can handle the flow

I can't see your drawing from work but will look at it later tonight
what size is the sump

billdogg · 05/11/2010, 02:17 PM

+1 on the dart - great pumps, very quiet

TwistedEnvy · 05/11/2010, 02:18 PM

I'll be doing a "cheap woman's approach" I guess. I have 2- 29 gallon heavy duty buckets right now, but also will have a 55 gallon to use. I'd like to do a combination of these 3 so that one is a refug like I have now, one is for my skimmer, and then filtration, etc....

I also would like to add a calcium and kalk reactor to the system. Any suggestions on how you would set this up?

Thanks,
Nikki

TwistedEnvy · 05/11/2010, 09:05 PM

Well, I think the dart is probably the way I will be going, but do I really need something that large? I assume you lose a lot of power when splitting the plumbing to two separate tanks, but I think the dart is rated for 3600 gph?

psteeleb · 05/12/2010, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TwistedEnvy

Well, I think the dart is probably the way I will be going, but do I really need something that large? I assume you lose a lot of power when splitting the plumbing to two separate tanks, but I think the dart is rated for 3600 gph?

yep, but like most all pumps, by the time you go up 5- 6' and add some fittings you will probably be around 3000 gph

ZurichOne95 · 05/12/2010, 11:19 AM

+3 on the Dart. Friend of mine has one. Pretty silient, but hums just a bit. Use a rubber pad underneath and you can barely hear it

05/11/2010, 01:22 PM	#1
TwistedEnvy Acan Freak Join Date: May 2009 Location: West Allis, Wisconsin Posts: 731	What size external pump should I use? I have a 155 bow front at the moment set up with a sump in the back, however, I recently purchased a 180, 8 footx4foot tank to use as a frag set up. Here is a rough draw up of how it is currently set up. The 155 is on an angel because of previous plans I had to put it in wall, but will no longer be doing. It will be staying at that angle though because there is no way I am tearing the tank down to move it. There are a couple ways I was thinking about doing this. I could keep the sump area where it is and have an external pump going to both the 155 and 180 from there. Or, I could move all of the sump area underneath the 180 since the stand is 36" tall. This would just require me adding some 2x4s on the bottom to support the weight. I would then run an external pump to both the 180 and 155. What external pump would I need for these two scenarios, and which scenerio would you choose?

05/11/2010, 01:56 PM	#2
psteeleb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 5,249	off the top of my head I'd say a Reflo Dart, or maybe a Baracuda if the sump can handle the flow I can't see your drawing from work but will look at it later tonight what size is the sump __________________ A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner Current Tank Info: 110g Mixed Reef, LED's & T5's

05/11/2010, 02:17 PM	#3
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	+1 on the dart - great pumps, very quiet __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

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05/11/2010, 02:18 PM	#4
TwistedEnvy Acan Freak Join Date: May 2009 Location: West Allis, Wisconsin Posts: 731	I'll be doing a "cheap woman's approach" I guess. I have 2- 29 gallon heavy duty buckets right now, but also will have a 55 gallon to use. I'd like to do a combination of these 3 so that one is a refug like I have now, one is for my skimmer, and then filtration, etc.... I also would like to add a calcium and kalk reactor to the system. Any suggestions on how you would set this up? Thanks, Nikki

05/11/2010, 09:05 PM	#5
TwistedEnvy Acan Freak Join Date: May 2009 Location: West Allis, Wisconsin Posts: 731	Well, I think the dart is probably the way I will be going, but do I really need something that large? I assume you lose a lot of power when splitting the plumbing to two separate tanks, but I think the dart is rated for 3600 gph?

05/12/2010, 11:19 AM	#7
ZurichOne95 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Glen Allen Posts: 518	+3 on the Dart. Friend of mine has one. Pretty silient, but hums just a bit. Use a rubber pad underneath and you can barely hear it