In my 125 I have a 30 Gallon sump with about 6 gallons or 25 quarts of bio balls. The return pump is set to 950 GPH. Is the pump overkill? Should I find a way to slow the overflow and get a less GPH pump?
Overkill or not??
- Thread starter DanielAro501
- Start date
I dont know the head height of the pump and i dont really care how much turnover, im just wondering if what i have right now is too much, turnover is how much water is circulated right?
Depends on how your overflow drain is setup, usually the pump is the control to increase, decrease, start and stop the flow of water in the main tank.
And also, there will be some reduction in the overall GPH rate, due to return line's restriction and number of elbows etc. So I feel, is not that high rate that you need to worry about reducing it, unless there is a need.
Ok sounds good btw the tank is drilled through the bottom and the hose goes to a bulkhead and then a tube all the way to the top where it flows out, only one elbow at the very end
Ok that is good. How about your drain setup?
And consider adding a control valve to return line to control the flow, unless your pump already has that control.
I have butterfly valves as control on the return and my drain is two durso overflows, The valves on return are currently fully open.
Great. Then you can easily do what you would like to accomplish?
what kind of fish are you keeping in the tank? some like lots of flow, others dont. in any case i dont think your pump is overkill. what size is your drain(s)? if your pump is rated 900 gph then your probably pumping 400-600 depending on the height of your tank/stand. 4x turnover is considered minimum with a well stocked freshwater tank so your setup would be just adequate imo, not nearly overkill.