What Size Pump?

[KMP]

I need to buy a new pump. I have a 65g RR tank w/Megaflow that's rated at 600gph. The pump I currently have pushes 400gph and I was going to upgrade to a 650gph pump. That said, for a little more money I could get a 950gph pump. So the questions are:

- When buying a pump should I take into consideration bends in the pipe, etc?
- If I got the 950gph pump would I have a hard time keeping my sump full (i.e. sump emptying quicker than waters coming in?

Any advice is appreciated.

Kenny

 

[badpvtdan]

You should take into account head loss.
The 950 will not empty your sump.

 

[chImerAnz]

When buying a pump should I take into consideration bends in the pipe, etc?

No, loss is negligible and we're not working with fine tolerances when looking at circulation in a reef tank. The only thing you need to take into account as mentioned above is head loss. This should be rated on the pump spec's. Ensure you get a pressure rated pump if you're pumping high head.

If I got the 950gph pump would I have a hard time keeping my sump full (i.e. sump emptying quicker than waters coming in?[

If your overflow and pipe down is sufficient size (say 1" or larger) then 950gph is fine. I run an Iwaki 55RLT @ about 10 foot head and it does around about 950gph to the tank. I have 1.5" (most restrictive hole coming out the overflow chamber) then 1.75" down from there. This review I wrote may help:

http://www.nzmas.co.nz/forums/viewtopic.php?t=368

 

[spleify]

Theres a head loss calculator on the RC home page also.

 

[KMP]

thanks guys. the head height for th e650gph pump is 8.5ft.