Question? On Pumps and water back to the Tank from sump?

[nmorse72]

Hello Everyone,
I have a question I'm setting up a 180 gallon tank and I'm wondering how much waterflow should I have going back into the tank from the sump? I read somewhere on RC whats a good or advrage amount but I can't remember I think I've been reading to many forums but hey I just had to write a forum and ask.
Can anyone suggest any good pumps for the job.

 

[peregrinus]

at least 10X the gals of the tank i think is what is recomended..

 

[Highlander]

I would say that a pump of 800 to 1000 GPH capacity would be plenty. If you push more through your sump thank your skimmer can effectively process, you are simply wasting power and probably inviting a micro bubble problem.

 

[TippyToeX]

nmorse72
[welcome]

To recommend a pump gph for your return it's best for us to know how much your tank drains. You can tell us that by how many drains the tank has and what their diameters are.

 

[sjm817]

Generally, 3 - 5x display volume. Depends on other things such as sump/fuge size, skimmer type, drain capacity etc. It is better to stay on the low side.

 

[wfrost]

I have been told anywhere from 3X-10X tank volume, I think if you settled anywhere in the middle you would be good.

 

[nmorse72]

Thanks for the quick response I didnââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t think I would have any this quick. Well letââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s see if I get this right. The water going back into the main tank should be 3X to 10X the water volume. So if I take my calculator I come up with 540 gph to 1800 gph. Well thatââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s a good start.

Some of you are wondering about my drainage well to answer that question is I have none at this point in time. The tank is an All-Glass 180gallon tank. I was thinking figure out how much water I need to bring back to the main tank before making my mind up about drainage. So I guess I need to decide on overflow box or drilling the glass. I do know I want to skim the surface of the water so whatever I decide I need to think about that.

For my sump I have a 55 gallon (all glass) tank I am going to make into a wet/dry sump combo.

But first I need to prep my stand I just picked up at a lfs (not petco or petsmart). I priced stand going from $350 on up not counting shipping. This place I got a stand that I liked for a very good price and it came pre-assembled (wow I was shocked) all for $280. I just moved the stand in my place 2 days ago the tank is still in my girlfriend van (she wants to kill me) now thatââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s another story one that maybe Iââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢ll go into later.

If anyone has a preference or an ideal about the drainage on this tank please let me know donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t forget I do want to skim the surface.

By the way do you think a tank of 180 gallon used only 2 months for $400 is a good buy? The tank still has the labels on it and it looks brand new just a little dirty nothing that some elbow grease won't fix.