How to size a pump to your tank

**zennzzo** · 01-30-2009, 1:23 PM

Originally Posted by specialized002;2717460;

I'm new to this hobby and I'm pretty handy with building things. I was looking into filtration and rather than spending all that cash to buy a fx5 I want to build my own sump system. I have a 150 gal tank, the guy I bought it from gave me a ehiem 2215. My question is this, I'm reading the post and still don't really understand it completely. If I were to build a sump, from what I get, I'm going to need at least a 1" drain and I'm unsure of a pump size and return pipe size. If you could give me a ball park range it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time.

Well FX5's on E-bay for 200.00 to start...
and a sump Wet/dry ona 150 will need a 1.5" Drain/overflow....
search the DIY section for overflow;pump size;return plumbing size...you'll find it all there...

**HaleMoana** · 04-10-2009, 2:41 PM

Head Loss Calculator = CLICK HERE
Drain Size/Overflow Calculator = CLICK HERE
Tank Volume Calculator = CLICK HERE

**terrors r us** · 04-10-2009, 7:39 PM

my input to the tank is 5 ft high...
but I have two of them, one on each end of the tank.....
they are connected via a tee fitting under the tank...
so is my total 5 ft of head or 10 ft of head??????
even though there are two inputs, the total height is only
five ft so I'm thinking total head would be 5 ft.....is this right???

**zennzzo** · 04-11-2009, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by terrors r us;3004817;

my input to the tank is 5 ft high...
but I have two of them, one on each end of the tank.....
they are connected via a tee fitting under the tank...
so is my total 5 ft of head or 10 ft of head??????
even though there are two inputs, the total height is only
five ft so I'm thinking total head would be 5 ft.....is this right???

yes
there might be a slight bit of friction loss due to actual length of the piping, but the head pressure would be the average height of all the outlets...

**contractor078** · 04-23-2009, 5:29 PM

hello I just read through this thread and I am a little confused i am looking into buying a 675 gallon tank and want to stock it with SA fish. So I am thinking that I would want to have a higher turnover rate. The top of the tank is going to 7' from the ground so I am not sure how to size my pump...HELP!

**fishyjoe26** · 05-03-2009, 1:30 AM

SO what would a need for a 140 and a 55. I've got a fx5 on the 140 and it's a discus tank. is this for air pumps, or filter pumps?

**mr_kook** · 09-01-2009, 2:50 PM

ok I am going to be setting up a tank soon in my basement. I wanted to know if I could use a hot tube filter system for a Aquarium. I was using if for a exotic fish pond. I just didn't know how if would be for a tank I am new to the whole aquarium seen so tips would be greatly helpful o yea I am thinking it will be for a 5" long 2" deep and 2" wide tank.

thanks

**garhog** · 09-01-2009, 6:36 PM

ok so following pump sizing so far but wondering if a larger tanks and ponds need the same amount of turnover assuming they have the same bio load

**Geoey** · 09-06-2009, 9:40 AM

this is due to the impeller speed efficiency at higher rpms

**CHOMPERS** · 09-07-2009, 11:56 PM

Originally Posted by mr_kook;3419637;

ok I am going to be setting up a tank soon in my basement. I wanted to know if I could use a hot tube filter system for a Aquarium. I was using if for a exotic fish pond. I just didn't know how if would be for a tank I am new to the whole aquarium seen so tips would be greatly helpful o yea I am thinking it will be for a 5" long 2" deep and 2" wide tank.

thanks

Stick with aquarium equipment.

Hot tub pumps are swimming pool pumps (of a different flavor). Where a hot tub is in the range of 400-800 gallons, you are talking about a tank that is only 150 gallons. In addition to that, the pumps are over sized to create excessive (therapeutic) current in the spa.