90 Gal Circulation

[REEFFER MADNESS]

Hi all,

Moving up to a 90 Gal and would like some advice with over all circulation for the tank. I am planning on running an overflow and pump system for the sump and fuge that has a 3 to 5 times turn over rate which calc's out to aprox 300 to 450 gph for this system. I will have an additional closed system for the remaining GPH movement through the tank which will be from 1500 to 2000 gph.

During the course of my research all I have been reading about is more than one overflow at 1.5" for redundancy going through to the sump is the way to go. This equates to around 1450 gph going down to the sump which will cause an overflow based on my plan to have 450 gph going through my sump system. This tank will be drilled and I obviously do not want the only internal overflow box to clog. So do I just go with smaller over flows like 3/4" to acheive the flow rate that I want. After all the majority of the filtration takes place within the actual tank I am told that only a small amount of flow through the sump is required basically just equal or greater than the skimmer pump.

Suggestions please.
Thanks

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

I'm not understanding your reasoning for an overflow. If you have 1450 gph max flow to your sump and only 450 gph actually going through than you’re not going to have an over flow issue at all.

 

[REEFFER MADNESS]

I do not want that much flow to my sump. The drilled overflow will supply tank water to the sump, then the water will be skimmed and filtered and then returned to my tank. My ? is why is everyone using such large overflows to their sumps when all the circulation is needed in the tank. Many have overflows that drain 1500 to 2000 gph out of their tank to there sump and require a pump that can keep up with that much flow. Where is I just want a minimum flow from my tank to my sump and back to my tank. The rest of the circulation will come from a closed loop system.

I also want to keep overflow the noise to a minimum and I hear the only way this can be done is by using multiple large bulk heads to achieve little to no noise.
Sorry,does that make more sense?

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Have you looked at Bean Animals design for sump return? His is the quietest but requires 3 drain lines. But it is absolutely fail safe for flooding and clogging.

 

[REEFFER MADNESS]

I will check it out, Thanks

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Wow I just did a search for bean animal and he's not there. Did he get kicked off? does anyone have the thread with his silent overflow? I'll keep looking.

 

[REEFFER MADNESS]

just my luck LOL

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Here it is.

http://www.beananimal.com/projects/silent-and-fail-safe-aquarium-overflow-system.aspx

 

[REEFFER MADNESS]

Cool, many thanks!

 

[mouscacha]

I think your questions and outcomes are different.

If you want only 400gph of flow to your sump, than regardless if you drill a 1" or drill multiple, you'll be above 400 gph. Just put some ball valves and call it a day.

If you're thinking of drilling for a closed loop, this is a seperate issue. Running a closed loop system (in true definition) means drilling additional bulkheads for additional drains and returns through a seperate pump than the main return. Hence the word "closed."

 

[REEFFER MADNESS]

Exactly, I just want to make sure my sump overflow is quite and efficient and kept to a minimum flow rate.

I'm probably over thinking this but I want to do it right the first time. If you look at my current tank description I have a 1200 gph overflow on my 55 gallon and it works fine I just need a Mag 9.5 to keep up with the flow rate. This also acts as my tank circulation along with a 450 gph power head.

Thanks