Need Help With Sump Return Pump

abigtroutt · 11-10-2006, 04:33 PM

I need help picking a external return pump for my new tank (when it get it). The tank is going to be a 110gallon R/R 48X18X30 and the stand is the same 30" high. I'm going to make my own sump 36X12x14 but thats next weeks thread.

Where I need help is: what brand is very quite and what GPH is needed.

Thanks

avalanche wolf · 11-10-2006, 04:52 PM

Gph will really depend on your drain rate and the drain rate will depend on your bulkhead and pressure.

Seems like most use aroud a 500 gph range pump. But with 5 feet of pumping vert I know for sure it is going to have to be bigger than a mag 5. Those only pump 250 gph at 5ft.

http://www.marineandreef.com/Info/DannerPumpSpecs.html

Here is a flow Vs pump height chart for ya.

I had figured with a overflow with 1" bulkheads and a 5ft pump height my drain would be around 250-300gph and the mag 5 would do 250 at that height so i would need to raise the sump 1ft to be on the safe side. Still a work in progress though

abigtroutt · 11-10-2006, 07:41 PM

I thought the tank should turn over at leat 8 to 15 times per hour. Also I thought mag pumps were not so quiet.

Fly Guy · 11-10-2006, 07:55 PM

What kind of skimmer are you going to be running Bill?? This is what really should determine how big of a return pump you use. The 10 - 15 time tank turnover isnt enough IMO for any kind of tank unless you are doing a seahorse tank or something. it really should be 20x or so minimum, but that needs achieved either via a closed loop or powerheads.....NOT your sump return. The goal in mind is that you send as little unskimmed water as possible back to the tank, so we try to match the skimmer and return pump flow rates

theplatypus · 11-10-2006, 07:57 PM

I use a mag7 in the sump for return. cheap and reliable

Fly Guy · 11-10-2006, 08:00 PM

I like submersible mags too...i use a 12 and a 18 for my tanks, but i also run canisters and chillers off of my return pumps.....you might want to consider sizing your pump a little bigger if you use a chiller or canister as well so you dont have to buy other pumps for those purposes......

BUT if you want it external and quiet..........probably want to look a a velocity pump, but you will be paying for that quietness.

abigtroutt · 11-10-2006, 08:06 PM

The skimmer is an ASM G-3

Fly Guy · 11-10-2006, 08:09 PM

With a sedra 3500 or 5000????

Do you run a chiller or canister filter??? chiller especially??

abigtroutt · 11-10-2006, 08:14 PM

Skimmer is with a sedra 5000. I also have a mag 5 that I was going to use for additional water returns for water flow with a T valve and 2 return jets plus the other external pump and power heads in the tank

Geoff · 11-11-2006, 08:49 AM

what size is the overflow for the tank.

if you want quiet, only one choice Velocity. trust me on this. i have used every pump. if you want i could prolly send you one of the 10pumps i have downstairs that did not pass the quiet test even though they say quiet in the description.

BUY A VELOCITY!!

if you have one 1" drain than go with the T1, if you have 2 1" drains go with the T3. if you want more flow than stick an eductor on the end of either of these and let the water fly.

G~

abigtroutt · 11-12-2006, 09:05 PM

Geoff,

Thanks for the information on the Velocity pump

Its not that much more then the LFS has for another type pump. Size of the over flow? The tank is a standard 110 R/R All-Glass tank with one 1" return. As for the sump I'm looking at making mine from a 30 gallon tank or I may just purchase a sump..dont quite know yet depending on how this week goes. My new tank and stand should be here by the weekend (I hope) it will be 4 weeks since I ordered it.

You stated for me to get the T1.....I thought I would need to turn the tank over more then 5 times in an hour. I thought it was 10 to 15 times. Or is the reason so the skimmer has more time to skim the water in the sump and I could use power heads or an eductor. I also have a mag 5 pump I was going to hook up in the sump and try to split it and hook up some kind of eductors plus the return sump or is that too much?

Thanks
Bill

Geoff · 11-12-2006, 09:17 PM

ok, the return is 1", do you know what the drain is? it is prolly also 1". so we will say 600gph. i still suggest a T1.

do you know what skimmer you are going to run? it is best to have your return pump be equal to or less than what the skimmer can process. most skimmers only process about 300-400gph. these include those powered by pumps like a Mag 12!!

in order to get up to that 10X15 times turnover an hour most people add either propellor pumps and or a closed loop system. an eductor on a T1 would get a good amount of the way there. on a T1 you will be close to 2000gph of flow in the tank even though the sump will only see about 400gph.

G~

abigtroutt · 11-12-2006, 09:26 PM

The skimmer I have for the tank is a ASM G-3 with a Sedra 5000 pump. It states on the box the Sedra 5000 has a H/Max 10Ft and a Max Flow of 500 GPH.

I have read the thread on the eductors and am still confused a bit on how to make them.. but I am going to read that thread again when I have more sleep and more then 2 brain cells working....lol

rydtime · 11-12-2006, 10:05 PM

is this for the return pump or a closed loop system? geoff can definitely shed way mor light on this thank my little ray. definitely get a velocity I just got a T3 it is super quiet and well worth the money. I believe educators work better in a cls not return situation.

abigtroutt · 11-12-2006, 10:30 PM

I was going for a return pump....I'm just not ready yet for a closed loop system.....lol