I am confused as to how to figure out what flow I need for my retun pump? I have a overflow that will be 2100gph on a 210 glass tank and sump will be about 80 g. Does the skimmer being in the sump affect how much return flow? I don't understand how to know how much flow should be going down and how much should be going back up? Can someone help me out I am not a math person either so I need simple or I will get lost fast.
how do I calculate?
- Thread starter Kitteness
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downlimit
New member
Ill try and explain my philosophy regarding your question, The first thing to understand is that the flow going to the sump should only be between 2 to 5 times the total volume of your tank, hence in your system that would be between 550GPH to 1200GPH. Running more water through the sump than what mentioned above, will only do two things, first it increases the probability that micro bubles will get back to the main tank, and secondly and more importantly, you are not allowing your chemical and mechanical filtrations enough time to properly work, and after all that is why we spend so much money on the filtration system, so that they filter the water.
to increase the flow in the tank itself you should use a closed loop system, and as far as this is concerned, you can go as big as you need it.
to increase the flow in the tank itself you should use a closed loop system, and as far as this is concerned, you can go as big as you need it.
bstone
Premium Member
The return pump sets the flow rate for the overflow. Your overflow is just set at a maxium of 2100gph. Here is a cool calculation to help you out. LINK One major thing is that your sump has the added volume to handle the water from the tank if and when the recirc pump is turned off. I would fill the sump up to about 3 inches below the top, and then turn your recirc. pump on and then you will have your fill line on the sump to top-off water. Just make sure you mark the water level after you turn the recirc pump on. The last thing you want is to overflow the sump once the recirc pump turns off.
If you do ecperience micro bubles I put a filter sock on. This served to great purposses. One it filtered that water very well, and second I had zero bubbles in my tank. The bad part is that you have to change them out every week and through them inthe washer with a cup of bleach to clean them. I have done this few 2 years with great succes.
If you do ecperience micro bubles I put a filter sock on. This served to great purposses. One it filtered that water very well, and second I had zero bubbles in my tank. The bad part is that you have to change them out every week and through them inthe washer with a cup of bleach to clean them. I have done this few 2 years with great succes.
asnatlas
New member
You could use a CL system, or you could use Tunzes... I myself would recommend Tunzes for many different reasons...
downlimit is right about having 3x-5x turnover between the display and sump as you don't want too much because then your sump would not be used for what it is intended for...
asnatlas
New member
As long as your overflow can handle more then the return you donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t have anything to worry about, the water will only overflow as fast as it's getting returned... You can have an issue if your returning the water at a faster rate then your overflow can handle... This is why it is always good to have larger drains then needed for a few good reasons...
