I'm currently in the process of getting a 250gal tank and was thinking of doing my first sump. I figured forty gallons for a tabnk this large but wasn't sure. How big of a sump would I need? Also should my pump be in the 1250gph area?
250 gallon filtration
- Thread starter Shiroi Katsune
- Start date
ya I agree, 30% is my rule for figuring what size is needed for a sump, so better go with a 55-75gal. Circulation needs to be at least 5cycles/hr so your on the right track with 1250. (i prefer closer to 10/hr personally, especially with smaller setups)
This might be what you are looking for:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69943
As for filter size, the most regurgitated answer is 1/3 of the tank volume. I have seen many wasteful designs (in terms of space) and some very poor designs (in terms of 'What were you thinking?'). On the other hand, I have seen some very efficient uses of space and ingenious designs.
The outer dimensions of the filter is not important. What matters is the volume for the bio-media and type of media. My filter in the above link is 1/10 of the volume of the tank but has three times the space for bio-media than a commercially produce unit, and the media is close to twice as efficient. That is six times better than what I could have bought and only a fraction of the space.
I was confident in my design before I started on it because I ran the numbers on some HOB filters. Some manufacturers provide less than one percent volume of bio-media for the tanks they are rated for.
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69943
As for filter size, the most regurgitated answer is 1/3 of the tank volume. I have seen many wasteful designs (in terms of space) and some very poor designs (in terms of 'What were you thinking?'). On the other hand, I have seen some very efficient uses of space and ingenious designs.
The outer dimensions of the filter is not important. What matters is the volume for the bio-media and type of media. My filter in the above link is 1/10 of the volume of the tank but has three times the space for bio-media than a commercially produce unit, and the media is close to twice as efficient. That is six times better than what I could have bought and only a fraction of the space.
I was confident in my design before I started on it because I ran the numbers on some HOB filters. Some manufacturers provide less than one percent volume of bio-media for the tanks they are rated for.
Tanks guys, I apreciate the input. Luckily I have a couple 55's im about to free up so thats probably what i'll use as the staring piont. Also it's a 250 long (10' long) is there any special considerations that need to be taken for that length?
Nope not really. It will lend well to having two sumps under the tank. Treat the two sumps individually just to keep things simple. Use a pump in each that will do for a 120g tank.
2 Seperate sumps with 2 seperate return pumps?
How would you stop one sump for taking more water than it could handle if a pump failed?
I personally would interconnect the two sumps and use either a single larger pump for the return or the original 2 return pumps. But I would think that connecting the sumps would be critical.
How would you stop one sump for taking more water than it could handle if a pump failed?
I personally would interconnect the two sumps and use either a single larger pump for the return or the original 2 return pumps. But I would think that connecting the sumps would be critical.