I live near Orlando and I am planning a 240 gallon African cichlid tank. It is a big undertaking as I have never owned anything larger than a 55 gallon. I talked to a LFS called Daytona Aqurium that specializes in African cichlids and the manager recommended a sump but also that it turn the tank over 10-12 times and hour. That would require a 2500 gph return unless I'm missing something. In my research the only pump I've found is a Sicce Synchra HF 10. Does anyone have any knowledge of this pump or any other suggestions. Or just any advice on something I might be overlooking. Thank you!
Looking for 2500gph return pump
- Thread starter Aryz
- Start date
Do you have the 240 or going to order one? I think 10 times turnover is a little bit of a myth. I run a 1600 gph pump in my 180 and just use powerheads to get rid of dead spots.
I took a look at the pump you mentioned seems like it will work as long as your overflows will handle 2500 minimum flow
I am going to order one. I have looked extensively and the best option that I've seen is a reef ready setup with a 65 gallon sump from glass cages. I am curious if you have any other good sources for large aquariums. I'm was also unaware of overflow limitations. Thank you for the input.
If you are going to order one I would seriously consider a bean animal. Just tell them what gph you are running and they will put the right bulkheads in. I think 1 1.5 inch at full syphon can handle 2500 gph and filter socks for mechanical.
Reeflow Snapper hybrid gold series...super quiet, pumps like crayzee...and, it comes with an additional impeller to change it to a 4,000gph+ pump later....or with the addition of another overflow....
I agree with MillerKid, 10-12x is typically what I understand for reef tanks, not really required/desired for most freshwater (although I know some folks prefer that here).
In my experience the limitation that I have is not with the pipe size and actual drain, but the rate of how much water can flow into the overflow. Short of cutting the overflow teeth (which I don't think it's worth the effort in my case), I've adjusted my return pump AND water return direction as to not flow against the overflowing water and better balances between drain and return - if that makes sense LOL. I use only 1" drain standpipes (Herbie method, but with a third dry stand-by taken from Bean Animal). I call this out, as it will be something you'll need to consider if you want to get high turnover as you are looking for.
Anyway, keep in mind with the sump you suggested above, you are looking at ~300 gallons of water. I think there are a lot of DC pumps out there to chose from. I'm using Waveline 10000 II for return and 12000 for closed loop circulation pump. On paper they are ~2800 gph and ~3200 gph, respectively. You also want to consider head and reduction in flow too. I like DC pumps since you can adjust. The Waveline aren't the best by any means, but for the price and flexibility, I'm been happy, so far. Not to mention they are very quiet.
In my experience the limitation that I have is not with the pipe size and actual drain, but the rate of how much water can flow into the overflow. Short of cutting the overflow teeth (which I don't think it's worth the effort in my case), I've adjusted my return pump AND water return direction as to not flow against the overflowing water and better balances between drain and return - if that makes sense LOL. I use only 1" drain standpipes (Herbie method, but with a third dry stand-by taken from Bean Animal). I call this out, as it will be something you'll need to consider if you want to get high turnover as you are looking for.
Anyway, keep in mind with the sump you suggested above, you are looking at ~300 gallons of water. I think there are a lot of DC pumps out there to chose from. I'm using Waveline 10000 II for return and 12000 for closed loop circulation pump. On paper they are ~2800 gph and ~3200 gph, respectively. You also want to consider head and reduction in flow too. I like DC pumps since you can adjust. The Waveline aren't the best by any means, but for the price and flexibility, I'm been happy, so far. Not to mention they are very quiet.