New to sumps / pumps, need advise for 120g

[itsKRUDD]

Hey guys Im in the works of setting up my 120g tank, but I was hoping to get some hands on advise on a good pump set up for my sump. I have never used a sump before, so I dont know where to start.

Ive read the sticky http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?47105-How-to-size-a-pump-to-your-tank however I still have some questions.

The tank is drilled with over flows on both sides, so 4 holes drilled. What pumps would be best for the tank, assuming I'd like a 10gph turnover rate. The tank is 4x2x2 and Im anticipating the stand to be around 4ft or so in height. Whats a good pump that will be able to meet my needs, as I said im 100% new to the entire sump and pump set up so any advise is greatly appreciated.

Thanks MFK!

 

[DIDYSIS]

Look into getting a couple filter socks for your filtration needs as the mechanical. You should be looking for a pump that is about 1500 gph, would work well also for the height your building the tank at with the flow loss because of head. Probably need about a 40 gallon sump, as always larger is fine as well, I think mine has a 30 gallon tank under it. Look at the Rio pumps, quiet one pumps, Find a low watt pump for best power savings. Sounds like a nice setup for allot of water flow, learn about stand pipes if your setup does not have them already.

 

[itsKRUDD]

Thanks for the info ill definitely look into the brands. Any idea if there's any videos or tutorials for setting up a sump? I don't remember how big the sump is that I have, ill have to check when I get home. I'm thinking ill need to add a second one since the tank was originally a saltwater tank and to my knowledge the other side drills were for a protein skimmer


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[Squirtle919]

I would go for a waveline DC pump 3000 (800 GPH) these pumps have good head height and you can control the flow/ feed mode etc + the impeller on these things is a beast I have never seen a pump with such a strong looking impeller/body not to mention they use 30W so your only looking at a small amount of $$ on power each year.

if you really want 10x tph you get the larger models but I believe 3-6 turns is the best then if you have fish who like flow add a otto or wave maker etc. you get a better contact time with bio media if your going at a slower rate vs going at a faster rate your bio media will have a hard time being able to process anything. this has been proven 1000s of times. Others I would aim for a Laguna pump I used to use these but compared to the waveline they just draw too much power for what they put out theres a new model but I still think the wave lines are better imo.

you shouldn't need 2 sumps. your tank would have a herbie overflow I believe going off the amount of holes, its popular in saltwater. I would connect all 4 holes to one pipe or 2 pipes then have these just running to the one sump Or depending where the holes are located you could have 2 as drains to the sump and 2 as return lines.

For the actual sump you would want to go Mechanical filtration first (filter socks, foam , scrubbies, bio balls (only catch large particles) , Japaneses mat) these should remove all the partciles from the water before it gets to the bio media stage otherwise your bio media can get clogged resulting in a loss of surface area / vol.

For biological media you want something like matrix, I cant think of others theres a few matrix is the best imo terms of what your getting vs price. depends on your stock how much to aim for the more the better but too much can just be a waste of money.

then normally chemical filtration will come if your using that, carbon - purigen etc the heater+ pump and other equipment can be placed in this section if your running out of baffles (dividers in the sump) if your sump is larger then 3 baffles I would stock up more mech else your bio section is very small.

If you take a picture of the sump I can edit it in paint as to how I would set it up! I hope this helps and makes sense I just woke up a little ago

 

[itsKRUDD]

Awesome man!! I'll get some photos today and post them up here, I might have a few actually lemme check...

 

[itsKRUDD]

Here is a few pics of the equiptment:

 

[itsKRUDD]

Also this tank set up is for freshwater