Return Pump size

[BigH55]

Does any one know what size return pump i would need on a 110gal reef ready tank. Ive never had a reef ready tank and am not sure exactly how the overflow works and how you conrtol the flow coming into the sump

 

[El Diablo]

I ran a Iwaki pump that was rated at 782 on my 125. Is there two returns?

 

[tall_jason79]

it should only drain as much as the pump puts in depending on your drain sizes. i'm just running a mag 12

 

[BigH55]

I think there is only one return I couldnt get a good look because the tank was in the warehouse at PlanetReef and inthe plastic. Ill find out Friday when I pick it up.

 

[BigH55]

I was going to use my mag 9.5 until i upgraded to an external pump. I just didnt want it to overflow my sump. Right now im using an overflow box and it is rated for my return pump. I didnt know if the overflows on the tank were rated.

 

[logiktest]

If you use too large of a pump, you won't overflow your sump, you'll overflow your display. The size of the drain plumbing in the overflow is what dictates the amount of flow it can handle. For example, draining with gravity, 600 GPH may require a 1" diameter drain pipe. Under pressure/siphon a 1" pipe could handle more flow, like 900 GPH. *These numbers are not exact, just an example. There are calculators on the RC home page to help you determine what your overflow can handle for plumbing/pump flow.

Also keep in mind how much flow you want to travel through your sump. If you plan to use a refugium you may not want to max-out the amount of flow available through your plumbing size. Same goes for your skimmer. If the water travels too fast through the sump, your filtration may not be able to work as effectively.

Another example: 10 total tank volume turnovers per hour through the refugium would be about the max desirable to give your refugium ample time to remove nutrients from the water column. *Again, just an example. Many people are successful using different amounts of flow through their sumps, refugiums, and skimmers. The desired amount of flow is completely debatable and best calculated on a system-to-system basis IMO.

 

[StupidsReef]

Logiktest, I commend you on that post. Indeed very well put.


:thumbsup:

 

[BigH55]

Thank you, i hooked up my 9.5 amd its doing fine.

 

[chadfarmer]

put a valve on the mag 9.5 output it was too much for my 58 and had to turn it down a little

 

[Angler02]

Any valve has to go behind the direction of flow on the pump. You can't restrict the amount of water going into the pump. Just a heads up.