Flow In A 20h

[GoodBorg3]

There's probably many posts on this, but I can't find them! Those of you who have 20 gallon nanos, what would you recommend as a good RANGE for flow rates for the main pump? I am going to have a 10g sump under a 20H tank with the return going through a SCWD. There is not going to be a skimmer, so most of the turbulence/circulation will come from this pump. I am going to have a bare bottom also, so sandstorms will not be an issue. I will be keeping SPS, LPS and a few softies. Thanks for your advice!

 

[seacowboy]

for my 20. I'm going with the mag 5 on a CL. and a mag 3 for return on a SCWD. it should be about 600 gph when its all done so 30X turnover.

 

[GoodBorg3]

Thanks. I decided to go with a Via Aqua 2600. I know they aren't the best out there, but the price is right and I've had one for years and it was never a problem. Doing a quick comparison of comparable pumps, the 2600 seems pretty good with power consumption and it seems like it wouldn't creat too much. The 2600 is rated for about 740 gph , which seems a little high maybe (???) but I don't think the flow will be quite that high after the water comes up from the sump and goes through the SCWD and out. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks again!

 

[j2me5ku]

if you think the flow is too high, add a ball valve to control the flow.

i have a mag 5 with ball valve to control how much water is returned to my tank, but try not to constrict the flow too much with the ball valve...ive read that it can put a lot of wear on the pumps if you close it off too much.

 

[arthurlo]

With such a high flow rate returning water from the sump, you need to make sure that the overflows from the tank down to the sump can handle the flow. However, this may lead to a noisy drain.

I've got the same set up as you with a 20g on top and a 10g sump underneath. I just use a Maxijet 1200 to return water from the sump to the tank, but have plumbed a separate closed-loop system for the 20g that moves another 500 gph after SCWD. It works well, and stays quiet, and is relatively energy efficient.

 

[GoodBorg3]

Thanks for the advice. Yes, a knowlegable source pointed out to me that a flow a 600 gph would be more suitable, so I am going to use a different pump.

 

[kfowler]

I have a Maxi-jet 1200 as a return from sump pump and a Tunze 6025. I'm getting arounds 30x + turnover.

 

[bj32482]

I currently have 1400gph going in my 20h