Return Pump Calculations

[greenstarman]

I apologize for asking this again. But I am constructing a new sump and curious about the return pump. Is there a way to figure out what return pump I should use. The distance water will have to travel up to tank is 48". The sump dimension are 30 long, 10 wide, and 12.5 high with the water level in the return at about 9" or 3 inches from top of sump. I want significant flow in the tank without having to use power heads but restricted flow within the sump as to keep a slow flow through the refugium. How is all this figured out?

 

[rihanssu]

what size is the tank and what are you gonna be keeping?

 

[greenstarman]

the tank size is 55 gallon. Its a perfecto stand that was bought with the tank. I can't build a bigger sump that what I have mentioned. The remaining portion under the tank will house a resovoir for top off water. Currently the tank has 5 fish and zoa's.

 

[greenstarman]

Anyone have some input on this...?

 

[david8956]

Maybe I'm missing something here, but if I understand your question your maximum flow through your sump is only going to be limited by what your overflow can handle. Determine the gph your overflow is capable of, then use this head loss calculator to check the specs on some of the pumps you are interested in.

http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/hlc2.php

 

[david8956]

Missed the refugium part of your question

To do that, just install a baffle between the refugium and the rest of the sump, and split (using a "Y") your return. Put a valve on the return going to the refugium so you can throttle it way back and force most of the return into the sump itself. Have the water level in the refugium a little higher than the sump and let it spill over into the sump. (This should happen anyway with a return pump running as the sump level drops)