Newbie Pump Question...

[natblack]

Okay... time for a dumb question... but newbie minds want to know and I'm going to ask it anyway
What determines the flow rate of the water from my display take to and from the sump? The Megaflow system I'm planning to retrofit into my AG 92 gal Corner drilled tank has a published flow rate of 600gph. If I get a pump that has only 450-500gph flow including head pressure, which one wins? Does the pump dictate the amount of water moving from tank to sump and back again, or will having a pump that doesn't match the flow capacity of my overflow system mean that I will be ruining the lovely Pergo floor in my office?
Thanks!
Natalie

Oh, one more thing... would someone mind reminding me what the recommended water flow rate is per gallon/hour of my display tank? I know I've read it plenty of times, but hell if I can remember...

 

[McCrary]

If you use a Durso standpipe then the water flowing into the sump is regulated by the amount of water that is pumped back into the tank, which should maintain a balance. The 600gph would be the maximum that the overflow would be able to handle. You would probably want to put about 300gph through the sump, remember that the sump return is meant for filtration, not circulation. People often try to get both circulation and filtration from their sump pumps. Use powerheads or CL for water movement. A Eheim 1250 pumps out about 350gph and the Eheim 1260 about 600gph (this would obviously have to be throttled back a little). Both are quality pumps that you should be able to use to return water from your sump.

 

[natblack]

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[natblack]

Thanks for the advice... I'll take a look at those pumps and look into a powerhead to up the in-tank circulation.

Natalie

 

[sjm817]

An Eheim 1260 after typical headloss is ~ 450 GPH which would be very good for that setup.