How do you get less sump flow & more tank flow?

[Rapidfire143]

i have a 30 long display w\ a 10 gal sump, i think the waterflow is too much for the sump, can i slow the flow rate in the sump while still maintaining flow in the main tank???

[Neuticle]

Yeah, just use a smaller return pump and get powerheads for the tank.

[OneDummHikk]

If you can't get a smaller pump (for whatever reason), put a ball or gate valve on the return of the pump and throttle it down. You can reduce the flow through the sump that way and as long as the valve is on the outlet of the pump, it won't hurt it.

[Doug1]

Originally Posted by Neuticle

Yeah, just use a smaller return pump and get powerheads for the tank.

Thats one way, but then you have powerheads taking up space and being unnatractive in a 30g tank Rather than power heads maybe one or two of the nano model Tunze pumps

Originally Posted by OneDummHikk

If you can't get a smaller pump (for whatever reason), put a ball or gate valve on the return of the pump and throttle it down. You can reduce the flow through the sump that way and as long as the valve is on the outlet of the pump, it won't hurt it.

You can throttle a larger pump back to some extent but the pump choice is going to depend on whether you have a hang on overflow box or drill the tank and even then the capacity of the overflow box or drilled bulkhead will be a factor.
Are you using a in sump skimmer and if so what brand and what will feed it?
For a 30g tank I would suggest something along the lines of a Mag 5 with minimal restriction, depending on you plumbing and height difference between the tank and pump, you should get around 300 gph thru put on the sump. Most of the smaller but good in sump skimmers should process that much if not a tad more water than that so no worries there.
Since you are thinking about drilling the tank, consider a closed loop to increase the in tank flow rate with out adding power heads

[Seamore]

To reduce the flow through the filtration section of your sump (if you have bubble trap) you could bypass some of the over flow (whaterve portion you think is not being filtered/skimmed due to current flow rate) into a filter bag in the return pump section of the sump. But the best solution is with a retun pump that flows at the rate you need. if the current pump is to large perhaps this one could be the one for a closed loop syst. that will bypass filtration and focus only on disp. tank flow. Good luck.

[justsnooking]

3-4 returns off main pump should help with what you're trying to achieve. returns at ends of tank can give a "wave maker" effect.

[Loverotties]

Originally Posted by justsnooking

3-4 returns off main pump should help with what you're trying to achieve. returns at ends of tank can give a "wave maker" effect.

I was going to say the same thing.Split up your return.

[Rapidfire143]

what do you mean, the water coming from the display tank TO the sump?? i would split that?

[usmc2b2004]

Originally Posted by Rapidfire143

what do you mean, the water coming from the display tank TO the sump?? i would split that?

I think what they are saying is to split your return from the sump into 3 or 4, as I am assuming you are running 1. That will also raise your head loss.