hmmm... is the pump GPH 5x or 10x the tank & sump volume?

ChitownBrickie · 04/12/2016, 04:00 PM

I'm trying to determine what pump to buy. do I need GPH 5x or 10x the tank & sump volume? I'm seeing conflicting ideas.
I have a 55 Gallon Reef Ready tank (pre-drilled on the bottom).
plumbing I will use the Herbie Method.
1" bulkhead for emergency drain.
3/4" bulkhead for main drain.
I will run the return line up the back of the tank, over the top, and into the tank.

Indymann99 · 04/12/2016, 06:35 PM

I run a Herbie at 5-6x turnover. I believe that a slower turnover gives the skimmer more contact time (to do its job) and lets detrus settle in the sump where its easy to shop vac out.

Others have very different opinions.

my 0.02

kmbyrnes · 04/12/2016, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indymann99

I run a Herbie at 5-6x turnover. I believe that a slower turnover gives the skimmer more contact time (to do its job) and lets detrus settle in the sump where its easy to shop vac out.

Others have very different opinions.

my 0.02

Ditto.
Now you have .04

davocean · 04/12/2016, 07:15 PM

It's not a hard set in stone number, but roughly 5x your display volume, but do make sure your drain is big enough to handle the flow of what pump you decide on.

SnoopyDaPimp · 04/12/2016, 08:41 PM

My return pump is just over 10x my tank volume. I use ball valves here and there to adjust it up/down as needed.

ChitownBrickie · 04/13/2016, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indymann99

I run a Herbie at 5-6x turnover. I believe that a slower turnover gives the skimmer more contact time (to do its job) and lets detrus settle in the sump where its easy to shop vac out.

Others have very different opinions.

my 0.02

Thank you, that makes a lot of sense! And if more circulation were need in the display tank, one could just up the circulation pumps correct? I like your shop vac method too.

ChitownBrickie · 04/13/2016, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmbyrnes

Ditto.
Now you have .04

Thanks! I'm .04 richer then when I woke up

ChitownBrickie · 04/13/2016, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davocean

It's not a hard set in stone number, but roughly 5x your display volume, but do make sure your drain is big enough to handle the flow of what pump you decide on.

Thanks you. I'm looking at the calculator on the home page as we speak

ChitownBrickie · 04/13/2016, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnoopyDaPimp

My return pump is just over 10x my tank volume. I use ball valves here and there to adjust it up/down as needed.

thanks. I will keep that in mind (A ball valve on the return line).

ChitownBrickie · 04/13/2016, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davocean

It's not a hard set in stone number, but roughly 5x your display volume, but do make sure your drain is big enough to handle the flow of what pump you decide on.

Ok, in trying to determine drain if my drain is big enough to handle the flow of the pump:
I have a predrilled 3/4" bulkhead for my main drain
My display tank is 55 Gallons
At 6 x 55 Gallons = 330gph
Reef Central’s Drain/Overflow Size Calculator results are:
Recommended minimum drain pipe diameter = 0.75 inches
Recommended minimum linear overflow size = 5 inches.
So I need to make sure that whatever pump that I buy does not exceed 330gph unless I intend to put a ball valve on the return line?
The main drain bulk head is 3/4” should I use ¾” pipe or bump the pipe up to 1”?
Thanks for your help

Sk8r · 04/13/2016, 12:33 PM

For a 55, I prefer a 950 gph return pump.

TangingOut · 04/13/2016, 03:34 PM

Don't forget to account for head loss.

thegrun · 04/13/2016, 05:22 PM

Sump size comes into play also. If you sump is relatively small (25% or less of the DT) 5 times the DT in flow is plenty, if you have a larger sump more flow is helpful.

ChitownBrickie · 04/13/2016, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TangingOut

Don't forget to account for head loss.

thanks, I forgot about that too

ChitownBrickie · 04/13/2016, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegrun

Sump size comes into play also. If you sump is relatively small (25% or less of the DT) 5 times the DT in flow is plenty, if you have a larger sump more flow is helpful.

Thanks, I didn't realize that either. I will factor that in too

ChitownBrickie · 04/13/2016, 05:33 PM

Thanks everyone, I appreciate all of your input.

04/12/2016, 04:00 PM	#1
ChitownBrickie Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 155	hmmm... is the pump GPH 5x or 10x the tank & sump volume? I'm trying to determine what pump to buy. do I need GPH 5x or 10x the tank & sump volume? I'm seeing conflicting ideas. I have a 55 Gallon Reef Ready tank (pre-drilled on the bottom). plumbing I will use the Herbie Method. 1" bulkhead for emergency drain. 3/4" bulkhead for main drain. I will run the return line up the back of the tank, over the top, and into the tank.

04/12/2016, 06:35 PM	#2
Indymann99 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,447	I run a Herbie at 5-6x turnover. I believe that a slower turnover gives the skimmer more contact time (to do its job) and lets detrus settle in the sump where its easy to shop vac out. Others have very different opinions. my 0.02 __________________ 120g DT 100lbs LR / 200 lbs LS, 45g fuge, VectraM1 Return, Herbie drain, 4x RW-8, 2x AI Hydra 26 w AWM, ASM G2, Apex controller, Apex BoB w floats ATO

04/12/2016, 07:15 PM	#4
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	It's not a hard set in stone number, but roughly 5x your display volume, but do make sure your drain is big enough to handle the flow of what pump you decide on. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

04/12/2016, 08:41 PM	#5
SnoopyDaPimp Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Peoria, AZ Posts: 492	My return pump is just over 10x my tank volume. I use ball valves here and there to adjust it up/down as needed. __________________ ( 0 \ l / 0 ) & no tanks for now

04/13/2016, 12:33 PM	#11
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	For a 55, I prefer a 950 gph return pump. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

04/13/2016, 03:34 PM	#12
TangingOut Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 1,511	Don't forget to account for head loss.

04/13/2016, 05:22 PM	#13
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Sump size comes into play also. If you sump is relatively small (25% or less of the DT) 5 times the DT in flow is plenty, if you have a larger sump more flow is helpful.

04/13/2016, 05:33 PM	#16
ChitownBrickie Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Posts: 155	Thanks everyone, I appreciate all of your input.