powerhead/pump?

spiceycat · 10/09/2012, 11:12 AM

Please clear up what's the diff between these two? And How do you determine what size/strength powerhead you need? Do you go by the gallon size of your tank or tank and sump combined? 3-5 x gallons

I understand you need a powerhead to power a sump. Thanks in advance.

yogoshio · 10/09/2012, 11:16 AM

A powerhead is technically a pump. It pushes water. The difference is a powerhead is akin to a koralia, where its open on all sides to create flow in a tank.

A pump is usually enclosed with a tube output to be used to move water outside of the tank, whether from a sump or a fuge or algae scrubber.

So, powerhead=koralia, pump=mag drive.

That'd be the easiest difference.

In terms of strength, it just depends on what you need. If you want sump turnover, its 4-9x display tank volume, with other variables like what your skimmer needs. If its display tank needs, it depends on your rockscape and other things as well.

spiceycat · 10/09/2012, 05:40 PM

How do you determine the flow rate or gph? Add total of DT and sump volumes?

yogoshio · 10/09/2012, 07:04 PM

Flow rate depends on what type of corals you're running. 30x DT volume for LPS and softies normally, upwards of 50x display volume for SPS.

One thing to remember, your sump return shouldn't be used for powerful flow in the DT. Your sump turnover should be 4-9x DT volume at the most.

sail33 · 10/09/2012, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yogoshio

Flow rate depends on what type of corals you're running. 30x DT volume for LPS and softies normally, upwards of 50x display volume for SPS.

One thing to remember, your sump return shouldn't be used for powerful flow in the DT. Your sump turnover should be 4-9x DT volume at the most.

Can you please explain the statement that "sump return shouldn't be used for a powerful flow in the DT" ? I am doing that and wonder what problem I might be creating.

The sump return is pushing to the right and slightly down. I also have a powerhead pushing from the rear to the front center and a small koralia on the left. In a 72 I think that's enough but it's the sump return used for flow that I am asking about.

Must be getting late. I'm not sure how clear my question is.

RocketEngineer · 10/10/2012, 09:25 AM

Powerheads are typically submersible pumps placed within the tank to move water inside the tank. Pumps normally move water between pieces of equipment. All powerheads are pumps but not all pumps are powerheads.

"Typical" values for a sump are 3X to 5X the display volume flowing through the sump per hour. Most displays have 20X to 40X their volume moving per hour within just the display. SO, if you have a 100g display tank, the sump would get a flow rate of 300 gph to 500gph. This flow is included in the 2000 gph to 4000 gph you have moving within the display. In this example a 500 gph sump flow means you need 1500gph to 3500 gph of additional flow provided just in the display.

Be aware that these values are a starting point. Depending on your system you can push these either way as needed.

HTH,
RocketEngineer

spiceycat · 10/10/2012, 01:45 PM

Thanks RocketEngineer! I just purchased a hob overflow for the display tank. I'll be doing an acrylic sump some time soon. The overflow is for tanks up to 75 gallons and the max it can do is 300gph. My tank is 30 gallons and I'm unsure how large of a sump I'll do. Will this be too strong?

10/09/2012, 11:12 AM	#1
spiceycat Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Hamden,CT. Posts: 154	powerhead/pump? Please clear up what's the diff between these two? And How do you determine what size/strength powerhead you need? Do you go by the gallon size of your tank or tank and sump combined? 3-5 x gallons I understand you need a powerhead to power a sump. Thanks in advance.

10/10/2012, 09:25 AM	#6
RocketEngineer Space is big. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Maryland Eastern Shore Posts: 3,226	Powerheads are typically submersible pumps placed within the tank to move water inside the tank. Pumps normally move water between pieces of equipment. All powerheads are pumps but not all pumps are powerheads. "Typical" values for a sump are 3X to 5X the display volume flowing through the sump per hour. Most displays have 20X to 40X their volume moving per hour within just the display. SO, if you have a 100g display tank, the sump would get a flow rate of 300 gph to 500gph. This flow is included in the 2000 gph to 4000 gph you have moving within the display. In this example a 500 gph sump flow means you need 1500gph to 3500 gph of additional flow provided just in the display. Be aware that these values are a starting point. Depending on your system you can push these either way as needed. HTH, RocketEngineer __________________ -RocketEngineer "Knowledge is what you get when you read the directions, experience is what you get when you don't." - Unknown Current Tank Info: None Currently

10/09/2012, 11:16 AM	#2
yogoshio Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Highland, IN Posts: 163	A powerhead is technically a pump. It pushes water. The difference is a powerhead is akin to a koralia, where its open on all sides to create flow in a tank. A pump is usually enclosed with a tube output to be used to move water outside of the tank, whether from a sump or a fuge or algae scrubber. So, powerhead=koralia, pump=mag drive. That'd be the easiest difference. In terms of strength, it just depends on what you need. If you want sump turnover, its 4-9x display tank volume, with other variables like what your skimmer needs. If its display tank needs, it depends on your rockscape and other things as well.

10/09/2012, 05:40 PM	#3
spiceycat Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Hamden,CT. Posts: 154	How do you determine the flow rate or gph? Add total of DT and sump volumes?

10/09/2012, 07:04 PM	#4
yogoshio Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Highland, IN Posts: 163	Flow rate depends on what type of corals you're running. 30x DT volume for LPS and softies normally, upwards of 50x display volume for SPS. One thing to remember, your sump return shouldn't be used for powerful flow in the DT. Your sump turnover should be 4-9x DT volume at the most.

10/10/2012, 01:45 PM	#7
spiceycat Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Hamden,CT. Posts: 154	Thanks RocketEngineer! I just purchased a hob overflow for the display tank. I'll be doing an acrylic sump some time soon. The overflow is for tanks up to 75 gallons and the max it can do is 300gph. My tank is 30 gallons and I'm unsure how large of a sump I'll do. Will this be too strong?