overflow and pump

[rale2001]

I'm shopping for a pump and overflow box to run to my 20 gal sump tank what do I look for as far as matching the two pieces I have a maxijet 1200 on my skimmer am I to match the gph for the return pump and overflow box?? And different pumps have a feet listing the one I'm looking at measures 7 ft is that how far the max from the overflow to the pump??

 

[RUGDOG]

well unless you get a very over powered pump your overflow will only overflow what the pump returns. the feet you are talking about is probably head which is from pump to return. in other words 7 feet would probably be max head for the pump you were looking at and the gph rating at that height. more than likely unless you are returning from a basement your head or height would only be 3 feet or so. how big is the display tank? You really dont need a lot of flow through your sump. probably a small mag internal pump would do fine with what you are talking about.

 

[Tomoko Schum]

It is best to measure the distance between the bottom of your sump and the top of your display tank and check the performance curve of the pump you are looking at. As the distance becomes longer, the amount of water that gets returned to the display will decrease.

Take a look at this page from Marine Depot for example. You will see how much flow you can expect at certain distance/head for various Mag Drive pumps:

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...y=FIWPSBUF&child=DN1121&tab=1&size=3 (350 gph)

Every brand has a different performance curve. You need to get one for the pump that you are considering.

 

[rale2001]

Thanks for the info

is anybody selling any overflow boxes up this end or any other parts ill be at the meeting sat ready to spend I still need a 36" lighting fixture also I just can't spend over 200 right now

 

[Tomoko Schum]

Hellolights have great deals for retrofit kits. I just saw a 250W MH retrofit kit for $89.99 there. A 36 inch 150W MH and two t5 combo kit is a lot more though, certainly more than 200 when bulbs are added.

 

[Tomoko Schum]

I just happened to find this inexpensive DIY overflow design this morning. I think it's similar to Beaslbob's design, but this one seems like less of a monster to wrestle with . However, I recall that beaslbob's design might have had a quieter intake.