Is 700GPH too much?
- Thread starter chuckawd
- Start date
Using a sump (20 gallon long), what is the ideal flow for a 30 gallon tank? I'm used to HOB or canister filters needing to turn the tank over (x) times/hour. I currently have an AquaClear 500 on my 20 gallon flipping the tank 50 times per hour but I'm moving upward to a sump and just want to be sure I have plenty of flow.
MrKite24
New member
It should be fine. Those overflow boxes are pretty small so you probably won't even notice it in the tank. Also, just because it is rated for 700gph doesn't mean you have to push 700gph through it. Just buy a return pump to match how much flow you want going through your sump (just not more than 700gph 
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tkeracer619
New member
IME 5-10x display volume is sufficient for sump turn over. You will want to use a power head in the tank to give you at least 20x turnover.
I am running 2 Koralia 240GPH Nano Powerheads in my 30 gallon DT for water movement so I should be good for that I would think. My next question is if I go with the 300GPH overflow box, how do I figure out which pump I will need to move the water back up and into the DT? I would like to use 1" plumbing all around because the overflow outlet is 1". I was thinking of using a 350GPH pond pump but I'm not sure if it will keep up with the incoming flow.
I am also looking for some ideas of plumbing my sump with the inlet on the right, return in the middle, and refugium on the left most side. Anyone have any links to a similar setup with plumbing? I get confused when it comes to figuring how to get water into the refugium and how much should be actually going into it.
I am also looking for some ideas of plumbing my sump with the inlet on the right, return in the middle, and refugium on the left most side. Anyone have any links to a similar setup with plumbing? I get confused when it comes to figuring how to get water into the refugium and how much should be actually going into it.
MrKite24
New member
How high will the return pump be pumping water (ie. how far is it from the return pump to the top of the display tank)? This will tell you what kind of pump you will need. I'm guessing you could go with a mag 5 or mag 7 pump. Remember you don't have to worry about buying a pump that is rated less than the overflow box. The overflow box will move as much water as the return pump moves.
The return pump will be pumping the water about 4 feet back up to the DT. Additionally, we have decided to go with a 40B DT with a 29G Sump so we can fit the skimmer and reactors etc. Should I stay with the 300GPH overflow box or bump it up to the 700GPH glass-holes kit and larger return pump?
Awesome!! Thank you very much for all of your help. I was thinking the same thing too. Somewhere in the return line I am going to need a ball valve to control the flow too I would assume?
ErikS
New member
You'll be fine, a MAG 7 won't push 700gph even @ 0' unless you drill the output to at least 1".
MrKite24
New member
That's true, but I would add one anyways just in case. You never know what you will add in the future. I always like to have a quick shutoff, especially when I'm testing the power outage situations.
I think I will be going with a Mag 7 for sure. I will have one 90* bend going into the tank for the return (drilled return to the flexible tubing) and using 2 nano powerheads for additional flow. I want to be able to have anything I want in the tank so I will be adding a BRS Carbon/GFO reactor to the sump as well most likely in the return chamber.
So, to finalize, I'm going with a 29g sump/fuge with skimer and reactor, heaters etc, glass-holes 700GPH overflow kit, and MAG 7 return pump. As far as piping is concerned, what sized piping should I be looking into using? The bulkhead included in the glass-holes kit is 1.5" so I figure I will be using 1.5" black flexible tubing for the inlet. What size should I be using for the return? 1.5" still or should I match the outlet of the MAG 7 pump which I believe is 3/4"?
So, to finalize, I'm going with a 29g sump/fuge with skimer and reactor, heaters etc, glass-holes 700GPH overflow kit, and MAG 7 return pump. As far as piping is concerned, what sized piping should I be looking into using? The bulkhead included in the glass-holes kit is 1.5" so I figure I will be using 1.5" black flexible tubing for the inlet. What size should I be using for the return? 1.5" still or should I match the outlet of the MAG 7 pump which I believe is 3/4"?
reefsurfing
New member
If you want 700gph try aquabee pumps or even a tunze 1073.020/040(the tunze has an adjustable flow rate). They are much quieter and add 0 heat to your tank with the added bonus of consuming very little electricity. As for the return line I prefer the 3/4 to the 1/2 inch since it creates less drag and maxes your flow potential.
ReefSafari
New member
I have a 40b and a 20L sump, and I also use the 700g Glass Holes overflow with a mag 7 as my return, according to the specs I was estimating my flow to be around 500 gph, from the sump to the return outlets is about 3' and at 3' its supposed to be 500 gph.
I also use a vortech mp10 as added flow, so far I have been very happy with that setup.
And as mentioned, I like the fact that the overflow CAN handle 700gph, but I am not pushing that much trough it though.
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5ft24
New member
I would run 1", or if possible, the full 1.5". Less restriction. Just adapt the 3/4" output of the Mag 7 to the size you want...
arc eye
New member
I will just through this out there to stur things up.
The convention for sump/return flow is 3-5 times display volume. That would mean 90-150gph for a 30g display. 500gph on a 30g equates to 16 times.....I my opinion this is way too much. I only run around 300gph for return on my 90g with a 29g sump
I am setting up an ADA 30g with an eshopps sump (new refugium version) and I am only planning on around 150-200gph.
just my 2 cents............the flow rates listed above are after head loss
The convention for sump/return flow is 3-5 times display volume. That would mean 90-150gph for a 30g display. 500gph on a 30g equates to 16 times.....I my opinion this is way too much. I only run around 300gph for return on my 90g with a 29g sump
I am setting up an ADA 30g with an eshopps sump (new refugium version) and I am only planning on around 150-200gph.
just my 2 cents............the flow rates listed above are after head loss
I run about 1000 gph on my 65. This is not entirely by choice though. I have a reeflo barracuda. With my head that pump pushes 2800 gph. I have a ball valve to throttle the flow back but it is very hard to adjust and get the flow that I want. Every time I try to adjust it I get...tiny flow...whoa way to much....almost right....back to tiny flow....to much again. I just cant hit the sweet spot I am looking for.
RokleM
Premium Member
^^^ This.
There are other downsides as well. While many pumps can be throttle back, there is a fine line. It's normal for a pump to go down in wattage as you throttle it back. That being said, a huge pump throttled way back can use a LOT more wattage than a smaller more appropriately sized pump for the system.
For example, that baraccuda pulls 250w roughly at max. Even if that is cut back 2/3'rd, you're still using more than a modified Askoll which can do 1500g at 0' roughly.
Again, nothing against sequence/reeflo at all (I'm a fan and have owned many too), just a point about throttling down too far.
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