Is a 30x12x19 (30 gal) okay sump size? Any suggestions? This is my first project and first time with a sump at all. So I'm very new. I've done some reading but any and all help would be awesome!
DIY sump for 125g
- Thread starter TheBroc
- Start date
I think a 30 should work. I'd maybe go a bit larger if you have the space. General rule is 20% of tank volume for a sump. It wont be 100% full so figure you'll probably have more like 20 gallons. You run the risk of thr sump overflowing when the pump shuts off, (water draining down from tbe overflow) or the pump running dry/sucking air if the level gets too low in the sump.
Is the tank pre drilled? Does it have an overflow box?
Drain pipe size is going to be dependent on how much turnover you want. Usually between 5x and 10x per hour is good, more obviously being better.
At 10x turnover you'll need a pump rated at 1200gph, which depending on head height and plumbing friction loss you may need a pump rated closer to 1800gph, check out the flow curves on manufacturers pumps.
A 1" drain will only flow about 350gph without being a full siphon. Your looking at running several 1" drains or fewer larger drains. I reccomend having more than 1 drain for safety reasons.
Read this. This will tell you almost everything you need to know about drain sizes. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/BulkheadFloRateArt.htm
Silencing stand pipes
http://www.dursostandpipes.com/
Herbie style overflow. If you wanna "cheat" and pull more gph from your drains
http://gmacreef.com/herbie-overflow-reef-tank-plumbing-method-basics/
Return line size is going to be dependent on your pump. Many larger magnetic drive pumps use 1.5" plumbing.
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Is the tank pre drilled? Does it have an overflow box?
Drain pipe size is going to be dependent on how much turnover you want. Usually between 5x and 10x per hour is good, more obviously being better.
At 10x turnover you'll need a pump rated at 1200gph, which depending on head height and plumbing friction loss you may need a pump rated closer to 1800gph, check out the flow curves on manufacturers pumps.
A 1" drain will only flow about 350gph without being a full siphon. Your looking at running several 1" drains or fewer larger drains. I reccomend having more than 1 drain for safety reasons.
Read this. This will tell you almost everything you need to know about drain sizes. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/BulkheadFloRateArt.htm
Silencing stand pipes
http://www.dursostandpipes.com/
Herbie style overflow. If you wanna "cheat" and pull more gph from your drains
http://gmacreef.com/herbie-overflow-reef-tank-plumbing-method-basics/
Return line size is going to be dependent on your pump. Many larger magnetic drive pumps use 1.5" plumbing.
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For reference. -
I have a 40 tall with a 10g sump thats half full. Im running a single1.25" drain. My return is a 350gph pump which is at about 250gph at head pressure. My return line is 1/2"
Im currently finishing up my 90g. It has a pair of 1" drains (herbie method as linked above) 1 is a full siphon, 1 is a back up or emergency drain. My return is a magdrive 9.5 rated at 950gph or about 600 at head height. My return plumbing is 1.5"
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I have a 40 tall with a 10g sump thats half full. Im running a single1.25" drain. My return is a 350gph pump which is at about 250gph at head pressure. My return line is 1/2"
Im currently finishing up my 90g. It has a pair of 1" drains (herbie method as linked above) 1 is a full siphon, 1 is a back up or emergency drain. My return is a magdrive 9.5 rated at 950gph or about 600 at head height. My return plumbing is 1.5"
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Hopefully someone will chime in with some first hand experience with pvc overflows.
Theres alot less that can go wrong with a drilled tank. Its a scary thought but it's super easy to do. If I can do it, you can do it. That's my recommendation.
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Theres alot less that can go wrong with a drilled tank. Its a scary thought but it's super easy to do. If I can do it, you can do it. That's my recommendation.
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Imo a 30g will be fine, here's a link to a sticky on mfk that should help: http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?205645-Pipe-Sizing-Charts-and-Flow-Rates