Return and Skimmer for a custom 160gal

[nornicle]

Hi Slief,

Quick query on a new tank I'm building - what do you recommend as a skimmer from new 160 gallon using filter mat - is DC180 ok? And for return pump using a manifold to run 1 reactor and 1 calcium reactor, what size RD3 do you recommend? Could I get away with a 50 watt?

 

[slief]

Hi Slief,

Quick query on a new tank I’m building - what do you recommend as a skimmer from new 160 gallon using filter mat - is DC180 ok? And for return pump using a manifold to run 1 reactor and 1 calcium reactor, what size RD3 do you recommend? Could I get away with a 50 watt?

The Double Cone 180 should be about perfect. As for a return pump, the 50w would be way to small. You’re going to have both heat and friction losses not to mention needing additional flow for the manifold. I’d go with at least a 100w and even possibly a 150w. While the 150 would be overkill, you would throttle it back and always have more then enough flow at tap. Now that said, there are a lot of factors that make this tough to answer such as the head height, return line plumbing sizing, what the manifold is going to be feeding and target flow rates there and return outputs sizing at the display just to name a few. Then there is the filter-mat type and target flows. Would also be good to know what the friction losses are to get an idea of total head loss. Either way, I think the 50w will be too small at which point you’d be looking at a 100w at the least.

 

[nornicle]

The Double Cone 180 should be about perfect. As for a return pump, the 50w would be way to small. You're going to have both heat and friction losses not to mention needing additional flow for the manifold. I'd go with at least a 100w and even possibly a 150w. While the 150 would be overkill, you would throttle it back and always have more then enough flow at tap. Now that said, there are a lot of factors that make this tough to answer such as the head height, return line plumbing sizing, what the manifold is going to be feeding and target flow rates there and return outputs sizing at the display just to name a few. Then there is the filter-mat type and target flows. Would also be good to know what the friction losses are to get an idea of total head loss. Either way, I think the 50w will be too small at which point you'd be looking at a 100w at the least.

Thanks that is really useful feedback - I will have to consider which pump now

 

[nornicle]

Hi Slief,

One follow up questions as I design my sump - how much clearance do I need for the pump intake.

I see the skimmer itself is 290mmX360mm. The sump is 45cm wide so that should be fine, but how long should the chamber be to allow sufficient area for water intake? Is 50mm enough?

Many thanks.

 

[slief]

Hi Slief,

One follow up questions as I design my sump - how much clearance do I need for the pump intake.

I see the skimmer itself is 290mmX360mm. The sump is 45cm wide so that should be fine, but how long should the chamber be to allow sufficient area for water intake? Is 50mm enough?

Many thanks.

I would suggest having at least an 1.5" for a skimmer pump so 50mm would be great!