Pump question?

[Bigjohnwoody]

Ok so I am going to buy an AGA 120gal with build in overflows and then create my own sump/refugium out of a 30 gallon tank my friend gave me. Going to slowly patiently try and create my first tank and go reef is my ultimate goal. So my question is that I have heard you want to turn tank water over 10 times per hour so if I got a 1500 gph return pump would this be to much, to little, perfect? Also If anyone has any ideas of diy sump plans more than willing to see please. Right now I am looking at limpitsreef plans although I think I want to run the pump external to minimize all extra heat I can. I would rather use heaters than have to buy I chiller. I live in southern oregon so it does get mid 90's during the summer, but I do have air conditioning and try to keep my house around 70-75. So any advice with anything I have said or more is very appreciated thanks. Oh I am also going to try to put my sump in the office/closet I have right behind the wall I am going to put my tank on. So I would probably set the sump on the ground so that my overflows can drain instead of on a table since they would be close to the same height right? Ok thats enough. Sorry A lot of info kind of excited!!!!

 

[Michael]

well 10x is probably ok, mine runs at 5 times tbh, but i dont think 10x is overkill, i think most reefers aim for 3-7 times, quite a difference in return flow but id thought id mention it,lol.

 

[stingythingy45]

I there any reason why you want to go with the 30 gallon as a sump?
Have you considered possibly going with say,a rubbermaid stock tank of maybe 70-100 gal.
The extra water volume will help cool the tank as well.Also it makes for a nice place to put skimmer,heater and any other devices.
If things get too hot during the summer just set a fan blowing across the surface.Just a though,but if you have AC,I see no reason why you would overheat.There's a few pictures of my basement sump in my gallery.

 

[Bigjohnwoody]

I really havent thought of that at all. I guess the reason would be that I got this tank given to me and saw limpitsreef diy sump design using a 30 gallon and the idea just popped and stayed. Is there a link on how to build one of these.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

Have you checked out melevsreef.com? He specializes in sumps and has tons of different setups. I'm sure you'll find one that fits your needs.

 

[stingythingy45]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14777618#post14777618 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bigjohnwoody
I really havent thought of that at all. I guess the reason would be that I got this tank given to me and saw limpitsreef diy sump design using a 30 gallon and the idea just popped and stayed. Is there a link on how to build one of these.

Gee,I don't want to talk you out of your design if you already have one,John.I mean a 30 gallon would work just fine for a sump.It would most likely need a few baffles to halt micro-bubbles.Just thought I would mention the stock tank as it makes a great sump and there's nothing like the extra water volume.
I'm sure if you did a search here you could find a build thread with a rubbermaid stock tank for a sump.Mine's a 70 gallon and I have it sitting on a 4'x4' platform.Stock tanks work pretty nicely as a sump as you can use the drain hole that it has to plumb you return pump.I have a 20L that I hooked into my system as well for a refugium.

 

[stingythingy45]

Here's a thread with a bunch of different pictures of stock tank set ups.

http://perfectdir.org/search.php?q=stock tank sump build

 

[jasoncw]

As for the return pump, what type of tank do you plan on keeping? If FOWLR or just softies, then yes, that is overkill. But if you plan on SPS, that would be a good size.

There's not a huge difference in internal or external pumps as far as heat transfer goes, but if you are having the sump under the stand, it may be best to use an internal due to the limited amount of space.

Now if you want to do a basement sump as mentioned above, that is a whole different animal.

 

[Bigjohnwoody]

I will check out melevsreef thank you. I wanted to keep my options open and not buy a pump that was to small. I just always heard ten times, I dont know where come to think of it now, but it sounds a bit much do to the response. Which means I can get a smaller pump and save a little money thanks