sump pump ??

[Matt1351]

I just picked up a overflow box im in the process of "trying" to build a sump. The over flow box pumps out 600 gph. Now when i am looking for a return pump do i Need to match that flow rate. Its going on a 20 gal tank... I was thinking of getting a pump that only pushing max 500 gph if that

 

[Jeff Trout]

You will lose head pressure from the return line height.

 

[Matt1351]

so what is the best thing for me to do?? buy a pump to match my flow rate of my overflow? this is all new to me

 

[Jeff Trout]

Figure out how much flow you are wanting to be coming out at the tank.There is a calculator on reefcentral's home page That you should be able to use to find out .
I think you want to turn your tank's water over 5 to 8 times an hour!

 

[Matt1351]

This is what i came up with

Using the following input parameters
Tank Length = 16 5/8 inches
Tank Width = 24 inches
Height of Water above Overflow = 2 inches
Sump volume is calculated as
Sump Volume need to handle tank overflow = 3.3 Gallons

 

[Jeff Trout]

From what I came up with it says a mag7 would be the biggest and a mag5 would work good?(i guessed on some of it)
you got to use the head loss calculator.

 

[Matt1351]

Thanks i was thinking a mag 5. we shall see

 

[vietcu]

http://www.melevsreef.com/what_sump.html. I would read up on sump building and building a return line on this site before making your setup. If you don't do it right, that mag7 is going to overflow your tank. I have a mag7 pushing water back to my 75, and have it turned way down to keep the tank from overflowing.

 

[Jeff Trout]

The overflow box is what makes the difference.
I had a mag24 returning my sump on my 125g from right next to the tank(maybe 6-7ft) in a rubbermaid 100g with a CPR 1200 overflow box
And I could keep the mag24 all the way open!

 

[Matt1351]

thats the site i have been getting all my info about building a sump.. i just picked up an overflow box now im ready to buy the return pump i just dont know what to buy. i was thinking about buying a pump that only pushes 400 to 500 gph or lower i just need enough return to pump water back into my tank

 

[vietcu]

you can always get a mag7, just in case you want to upgrade later. Just T it off back into your sump if your overflow cant handle the mag7 open all the way.

 

[Matt1351]

i think this whole sump thing is over my head. i thought it was going to be easy

 

[vietcu]

There are plenty of reefers in the Cleveland area that you can come over to take a look at their setup and get some advice. It sounds hard at first, but once you set one up it is really a piece of cake. And everyone that I have met up with so far are really nice and helpful. I'm sure someone will offer up some type of assistance to you. If you are stuck on anything, ask on here. I have done it numerous times, and still do it now.

 

[Matt1351]

yeah i know a lot of people on here have given me some really good input

 

[newsalt1]

The return pump from your sump is just that a return pump, it does not need to be the only flow into the tank. A lot of people myself included use other internal pumps like maxijets, tunze, seio, etc., etc., for the flow in the tank. Because the overflow will handle 500 gals per hour does not mean you have to max it out. Go with the mag 5 see how it works for your situation and tweak it from there. Trust me if you stay in the hobby you will up grade every thing any ways and find another use for the mag 5 if it is not what you like as far as flow goes.

just my 2 pennies worth

 

[chuggy]

matt a mag7 is wayyyyyyyyyy to much for that tank dont worry about matching the overflow and the pump you can always turn the pump down and you will have to turn that mag 5 down for a 20 gallon tank. unless you want a SAND STORM IN THERE. The sump thing is really easy dont let the numbers confuse ya. Are you using anything else for flow in the tank besides the return? I have built many simple sumps from rubbermaid bins didnt really have to build at all pump and overflow lines go into bin thats it turn it on make sure bin steadys itself at a constant level if not you have to throttle the pump back a little bit. its that easy. As long as the return pump doeswnt pump water faster than the overflow can bring it back to the sump.

 

[Cove Beach]

You can get either one just put a ball valve on the output and throttle it back to where you like. I t won't hurt the pump any.

 

[chuggy]

+1 if you plan on upgrading get the bigger pump