hmmm... is the pump GPH 5x or 10x the tank & sump volume?

[ChitownBrickie]

I'm trying to determine what pump to buy. do I need GPH 5x or 10x the tank & sump volume? I'm seeing conflicting ideas.
I have a 55 Gallon Reef Ready tank (pre-drilled on the bottom).
plumbing I will use the Herbie Method.
1" bulkhead for emergency drain.
3/4" bulkhead for main drain.
I will run the return line up the back of the tank, over the top, and into the tank.

 

[Indymann99]

I run a Herbie at 5-6x turnover. I believe that a slower turnover gives the skimmer more contact time (to do its job) and lets detrus settle in the sump where its easy to shop vac out.

Others have very different opinions.

my 0.02

 

[kmbyrnes]

I run a Herbie at 5-6x turnover. I believe that a slower turnover gives the skimmer more contact time (to do its job) and lets detrus settle in the sump where its easy to shop vac out.

Others have very different opinions.

my 0.02

Ditto.
Now you have .04

 

[davocean]

It's not a hard set in stone number, but roughly 5x your display volume, but do make sure your drain is big enough to handle the flow of what pump you decide on.

 

[SnoopyDaPimp]

My return pump is just over 10x my tank volume. I use ball valves here and there to adjust it up/down as needed.

 

[ChitownBrickie]

I run a Herbie at 5-6x turnover. I believe that a slower turnover gives the skimmer more contact time (to do its job) and lets detrus settle in the sump where its easy to shop vac out.

Others have very different opinions.

my 0.02

Thank you, that makes a lot of sense! And if more circulation were need in the display tank, one could just up the circulation pumps correct? I like your shop vac method too.

 

[ChitownBrickie]

Ditto.
Now you have .04

Thanks! I'm .04 richer then when I woke up

 

[ChitownBrickie]

It's not a hard set in stone number, but roughly 5x your display volume, but do make sure your drain is big enough to handle the flow of what pump you decide on.

Thanks you. I'm looking at the calculator on the home page as we speak

 

[ChitownBrickie]

My return pump is just over 10x my tank volume. I use ball valves here and there to adjust it up/down as needed.

thanks. I will keep that in mind (A ball valve on the return line).

 

[ChitownBrickie]

It's not a hard set in stone number, but roughly 5x your display volume, but do make sure your drain is big enough to handle the flow of what pump you decide on.

Ok, in trying to determine drain if my drain is big enough to handle the flow of the pump:
I have a predrilled 3/4" bulkhead for my main drain
My display tank is 55 Gallons
At 6 x 55 Gallons = 330gph
Reef Central's Drain/Overflow Size Calculator results are:
Recommended minimum drain pipe diameter = 0.75 inches
Recommended minimum linear overflow size = 5 inches.
So I need to make sure that whatever pump that I buy does not exceed 330gph unless I intend to put a ball valve on the return line?
The main drain bulk head is 3/4" should I use ¾" pipe or bump the pipe up to 1"?
Thanks for your help

 

[Sk8r]

For a 55, I prefer a 950 gph return pump.

 

[TangingOut]

Don't forget to account for head loss.

 

[thegrun]

Sump size comes into play also. If you sump is relatively small (25% or less of the DT) 5 times the DT in flow is plenty, if you have a larger sump more flow is helpful.

 

[ChitownBrickie]

Don't forget to account for head loss.

thanks, I forgot about that too

 

[ChitownBrickie]

Sump size comes into play also. If you sump is relatively small (25% or less of the DT) 5 times the DT in flow is plenty, if you have a larger sump more flow is helpful.

Thanks, I didn't realize that either. I will factor that in too

 

[ChitownBrickie]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate all of your input.