Plumbing/Pump Question

Bill0814 · 02/01/2006, 06:37 AM

Hello. I am about to make an internal sump on a 28 Gallon Bowfront. (Mainly just a place to hide equipment.

I would like to have 2 returns. One at top of tank for breaking the surface and another towards the middle/bottom to add flow near bottom of tank.

Is this too much, shoudl I just go with one return at top? or,

Perhaps, one return in the middle (height wise) and really on the skimmer box to break the surface of the water?

Any recommendations on a pump, or pumps?

Also, would 3/4 inch return holes be too small?

Thanks for any thoughts?

eckrynock · 02/01/2006, 06:44 AM

Two returns shouldn't be a problem. Just make sure you have a high quality check valve on the middle return so you don't drain half your tank during a power outage. A Mag2 or Mag3 should do you fine. Anywhere from 5x to 10x tank volume through the sump is good. 3/4" hole will be fine since you should bush up the 1/2" outlet on the Mag to 3/4" anyways.

wjhuie · 02/01/2006, 06:53 AM

internal sump?

Bill0814 · 02/01/2006, 07:05 AM

Yah, internal. The concept of the NanoCubes (??) Just a colored acrylic box that starts with a surface skimmer/overflow chamber, with a sponge filter for larger debris, then goes to a second chamber that will be either a refuge area or protein skimmer area, then on to the last chamber that will be the heater and pump/return chamber.

Maybe sump was not the correct term?

02/01/2006, 06:37 AM	#1
Bill0814 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 33	Plumbing/Pump Question Hello. I am about to make an internal sump on a 28 Gallon Bowfront. (Mainly just a place to hide equipment. I would like to have 2 returns. One at top of tank for breaking the surface and another towards the middle/bottom to add flow near bottom of tank. Is this too much, shoudl I just go with one return at top? or, Perhaps, one return in the middle (height wise) and really on the skimmer box to break the surface of the water? Any recommendations on a pump, or pumps? Also, would 3/4 inch return holes be too small? Thanks for any thoughts?

02/01/2006, 06:44 AM	#2
eckrynock Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 733	Two returns shouldn't be a problem. Just make sure you have a high quality check valve on the middle return so you don't drain half your tank during a power outage. A Mag2 or Mag3 should do you fine. Anywhere from 5x to 10x tank volume through the sump is good. 3/4" hole will be fine since you should bush up the 1/2" outlet on the Mag to 3/4" anyways. __________________ Ed Genesis 1:21 Current Tank Info: 90 gal

02/01/2006, 06:53 AM	#3
wjhuie Moved On Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: dyersburg Tn Posts: 764	internal sump?

02/01/2006, 07:05 AM	#4
Bill0814 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 33	Yah, internal. The concept of the NanoCubes (??) Just a colored acrylic box that starts with a surface skimmer/overflow chamber, with a sponge filter for larger debris, then goes to a second chamber that will be either a refuge area or protein skimmer area, then on to the last chamber that will be the heater and pump/return chamber. Maybe sump was not the correct term?