Ok so I would like to make a diy over flow but unlike you guys I don have pumps lying around lol. So I was thinking I can get two 340gph powerheads off ebay,http://cgi.ebay.com/AQUARIUM-P1800-...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2304dde8c1, for around 30 bucks, sounds good to me, but I just want to be sure i can use a powerhead as a pump in the overflow to push water back into the tank. Also, a separate question I have, I would like to make the overflow with the shelfed storage drawers, what type of media would you recommend going into them, and how often do you need to change biological media.
DIY overflow pump
- Thread starter fhawk362
- Start date
I don't think the power head will push the water from a sump under the tank to the top of the tank. What is that? At least 4 feet? It wont happen.
As far as biological media, I never change it. I've been running the same media for years now
As far as biological media, I never change it. I've been running the same media for years now
Powerheads are not designed to pump up a vertical distance. If you are able to find the pump curve for the particular powerhead you are buying (which is unlikely) it will tell you the flow rate for a given amount of pump head (roughly the vertical distance between the location of the pump and the height where it is pumping water to). This will end up being much less than 340gph.
Instead of buying powerheads, why don't you just buy a pump instead. A QuietOne 2200 will pump somewhere around 300-400gph at 4ft of head, and it only runs around $45.
As for media, just buy a bunch of pot scrubbies. You will not need to change them anytime in the near future, just make sure your mechanical filtration keeps them clean.
Look in the DIY and Filtration sections for more info.
Instead of buying powerheads, why don't you just buy a pump instead. A QuietOne 2200 will pump somewhere around 300-400gph at 4ft of head, and it only runs around $45.
As for media, just buy a bunch of pot scrubbies. You will not need to change them anytime in the near future, just make sure your mechanical filtration keeps them clean.
Look in the DIY and Filtration sections for more info.
Ok thanks man, so I'd need a submersible pump, what GPH do you think I should have, its a 150 gallon tank, and I already have 750gph of filters going, an hob and a canister. I would think a 500gph pump, or two 300gph pumps, so with the 4ft head itd be about 300 id think and thatd give me about a 7x turnover on the tank
nugpuffer;3846813; said:
I feel like I have enough mechanical filtration, but I could probably use a little more efficient biological filtration.
fhawk362;3846818; said:
The drain capacity is your only limiting factor. You need to know how much water your drain system is capable of moving then choose a pump that is less than that amount. Hopefully you will be around 3X to 6X turn over rate. A 150 gallon tank I would be looking at 600 gallons an hour to be pumped to the top of the tank. That's not a 600 gallon per hour pump! So you have some work to do, a little math. I would be happy to help you out but I need more info.
The math option:
1) drain size and a plumbing plan. Your plumbing causes drag (head) slowing water down through the pipe. Every bend causes drag.
2) the return from your pump information. The plumbing there causes drag. The distance the water is pushed up to the top of the tank.
The no math option:
You can always buy a larger pump than you need and throttle it back some so you don't over flow your tank and/or empty your sump.
or buy a smaller pump and maybe add one later if you need more capacity as your fish grow.
a pump is the best way to go this question is asked alot.
my pump cost me 75 bucks but it lifts 9 feet but i only need it to lift 3 feet
it does 530 gallons per hour i use a 1 inch pipe.
my pump cost me 75 bucks but it lifts 9 feet but i only need it to lift 3 feet
it does 530 gallons per hour i use a 1 inch pipe.
get a pump for 600gph and then buy an overflow for 600gph. that way when you add in the head. your pump will pump less than your max overflow speed and everything will be good!!