I have a 180, with a 2" drain. My LFS sold me a pump that is rated for a little over 6000 GPH. Which is way too much. (I didnt know any better at the time) right now my ball valves are almost all the way closed just so I dont overflow the tank. I'm going to exchange it but I dont know how many gph I need to be running. thanks
please recommend main pump size
- Thread starter dtm
- Start date
Depending on what types of coral you want to keep is how much flow you'll need. A base to start with is 10x tank volume for turnover. Therefore, you're looking at 1800gph on your particular size tank. Find a pump that will put out that much gph at whatever head height the water will have to be pumped, probably about 5 feet or so depending on your own setup.
AZDesertRat
In Memoriam
Stick with about 5x tank volume or less through the sump to keep velocities down so you do not carry microbubbles back to the display. It is somewhat dependent on the size of your sump too, a larger sump can have higher flows and a smaller one may need lower flows. Make the rest of your movement up with a closed loop or things like Tunze Streams or Nano Streams, Rio Seios or Hydor Koralias. 10x would be a bare minimum for a softie tank with 15 to well over 30x recommended for a SPS dominated tank. I am presently at 40x on my 100G system with a 5" deep sand bed and have no problems.
rustybucket145
New member
I would suggest something in the 2kgal/hr range MAX. Depending on head height you could probably go as large as 2500 without any problem, but something in the 2k range would be a safe bet.
You can use your 6k pump for a closed loop for flow!! That would be AWESOME!! Multiple outlets, major flow.... the plusses are endless!!
You can use your 6k pump for a closed loop for flow!! That would be AWESOME!! Multiple outlets, major flow.... the plusses are endless!!
Scuba_Steve
Premium Member
What kind of pump did he sell you? Hook that bad boy up to a 4 way and youll have some awesome wave action!
loves saltwater
Premium Member
I agree with only 5X thru your sump. IMO you should never have less than 20X your tank size for total volume with turnover less than that it will invite alot of other problems. If your are trying to keep any kind of coral in the tank 10X is a little low.
I'm going to be keeping mainly sps.
the pump was so big I plumbed a 30 gal frag tank into the system also. I might just end up trading it back for a smaller one. the pump is a wave 2. I think they are mainly used in koi ponds......lol..........I also have two tunze 6100, but it almost looks like its not going to be enough flow????
I'm not too sure how a closed loop works or how to set one up
the pump was so big I plumbed a 30 gal frag tank into the system also. I might just end up trading it back for a smaller one. the pump is a wave 2. I think they are mainly used in koi ponds......lol..........I also have two tunze 6100, but it almost looks like its not going to be enough flow????
I'm not too sure how a closed loop works or how to set one up
Henry Bowman
Reefing since '87
You should be getting pretty good turnover with the Tunzes. DRat has given you some good advice.
A closed loop is a pump that is plumbed via PVC or piping so that it runs to and from the tank without a sump. In other words the pump's input sucks water directly from the tank via a bulkhead and then pushes water directly back into the tank. ("closed loop" as opposed to running water through a sump "open") This process requires a bit of plumbing but is well worth it.
So a search on closed loop here on RC and or look at www.oceanmotions.com They sell a product that switches the output from nozzle to nozzle but I believe that they have diagrams OR look at www.melevsreef.com he is a moderator here on RC and set up a simple but effective closed loop on his tank. If I recall correctly, he has photos and a pretty good explanation of how they work.
HTH
A closed loop is a pump that is plumbed via PVC or piping so that it runs to and from the tank without a sump. In other words the pump's input sucks water directly from the tank via a bulkhead and then pushes water directly back into the tank. ("closed loop" as opposed to running water through a sump "open") This process requires a bit of plumbing but is well worth it.
So a search on closed loop here on RC and or look at www.oceanmotions.com They sell a product that switches the output from nozzle to nozzle but I believe that they have diagrams OR look at www.melevsreef.com he is a moderator here on RC and set up a simple but effective closed loop on his tank. If I recall correctly, he has photos and a pretty good explanation of how they work.
HTH
loves saltwater
Premium Member
IMO if you are trying to keep SPS you will need a minimum of 20-30 X your tank volume. You really need to run 2 pumps 1- for your sump and then 1- for a closed loop or 3-5 X your sump and then add your PH's to pick up the rest of the flow
speartheman
New member
I have a 6000 gph pump I moved the sump to the basement, used two inch pipe and a few tees now it runs the tank,skimmer phosban and carbon filter. I was going to sell it and get a smaller on but the guy in the lfs told me to do this worked out fine
