How do you calculate how many GPH you need for your return pump?

[orionsmamma]

Im in the process of buying a return pump for my sump, and am having a hard time figuring out how many GPH I need.

Im going with a CPR overflow rated for 1200 gph. My tank is 80 gallons, but I want to account for head loss.

Im kinda at a loss here...I had wanted to do away with the ph's, and create my flow through PVC tubing around the perimiter of my tank. I would do this at the top of my tank, hiding it under the plastic lip...drilling holes in the pvc to create different directions of flow.

Any help is greatly appreciated; and if you need any additional info please just ask!

Thanks!
Donna

 

[a4twenty]

on the main page in the lower left side is a section called calculators. the first one is head loss.

 

[orionsmamma]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6879963#post6879963 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by a4twenty
on the main page in the lower left side is a section called calculators. the first one is head loss.

I've looked at that, but you have to enter your pump....Im still trying to figure out which pump and how many GPH to go with.

 

[stingers81]

how big is your sump?
you dont want anything higher then 5X your display.....I have 700gph pump and I have crazy microbubbles and the tank is noisy....your main flow should be coming from your closed loop system or powerheads...you want just enough to pick up all the skim from the top of your water...you can easily do that with 2X or 3X and your tank will be nice a quiet and most likely microbubbleless

 

[orionsmamma]

The Sump is 20 gallons. Anthony Calfo talked for our reef club, and mentioned doing away with your PH's and using the PVC to create your flow. I would love to get rid of my ph's, and wanted to try this.