K total newbie question. Just getting things ready to set up. Have a 100gal RR (60") and am planning a 39 gal refugium sump under cabinet with LR LS and macro algae and mangrove. Tank is drilled with one inch bulkheads. So question is: what GPH pump should I be running with this setup?? Most of the stuff that I have read has said anywhere from a 4 times to 100 times turnover. HELP????
Pump question
- Thread starter squamatau
- Start date
szwab
Premium Member
alot depends on what kind of corals you are going to keep.
there are 2 methologies
1 create the flow with in the tank and have less flow going through the sump.
or 2 have a large return pump supplimented by some additional sources.
is you are going softies and LPS you won't need quite the flow if you are planning on keeping sps.
HTH
there are 2 methologies
1 create the flow with in the tank and have less flow going through the sump.
or 2 have a large return pump supplimented by some additional sources.
is you are going softies and LPS you won't need quite the flow if you are planning on keeping sps.
HTH
kau_cinta_ku
New member
the return pump should only be around 5-10x tank turnover due to you don't want alot of flow through your sump/fuge and the rest of your flow comes from powerheads or a closed loop.
szwab
Premium Member
With your drains you can go up to around a 1000 gph pump. It is up to you to decide what kind of configuration you want to go with. How many power heads do you plan on using inside the tank? Are you going to have a closed loop? The softies don't need and some won't like too much flow. Where as for sps seems like you can never have enough. On my tank (just shy of 200 gallons) I have around 2700 gph through the sump. Returned ito a manifold around the tank that has 6 outlets. Supplimented by 2 tunzes in the tank and soon a wavebox. Having more flow through the sump. does have it's disadvantages there are more "micro bubbles" to deal with and noise is a factor as well. but it does allow me to keep a lot of suplimental pumps out of the tank. I am not a big fan of closed loops.
Another item to consider is the mangrove and macro algae will this be in your sump? if so having a lot of flow through the sump will be difficult. either way you may want to consider a seperate refugium.
ohh and BTW welcome to RC!
Another item to consider is the mangrove and macro algae will this be in your sump? if so having a lot of flow through the sump will be difficult. either way you may want to consider a seperate refugium.
ohh and BTW welcome to RC!
szwab
Premium Member
a closed loop is a way of increasing the flow in your tank by having the input and out put of a pump inside the tank. Thus the "closed" reference. Do a search on closed loop to get more details. Basically the advantage is that since the input and oput put are in the tank there is virtually no head pressure. This allows the use of a smaller pump and less plumbing complications since no sump is involved.
Most closed loops are done by drilling the tank with 2 or more holes.
HTH
