Just picked up my new reef ready 140 gallon tank. Tank has the single overflow that is in dead center of the tank. The original overflow box was small with 1 drain and 1 return. I had them upgrade the tank with a bigger overflow box with one 1.5" drain and 2 returns instead of 1. My question is, What would be an adequate pump size for this tank? The tank has a 75 gallon sump. Im afraid if the pump size is too small that my water level will be too low in the DT but if the pump is too large it won't drain fast enough. So what do you guys recommend gallons per hour for a pump? Any help would be appreciated.
Return pump for 140 gallon?
- Thread starter salteedogg
- Start date
Good link by cypher.
At the risk of oversimplifying the answer to your more complicated question, the pump size is limited to the maximum your drain system can gravity flow.
If you drain system is well designed and adheres to the parameters outlined in the folllowing link then you can determine it's flow potential. http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=205645
Your "well designed" 1 1/2" drain should be capable of a maximum 1350 GPH. Any quality pump capable of delivering this volume or slightly less, allowing for the head loss your system has, would be suitable.
I would look for a pump around 1300 GPH @ 3' head as a starting point.
This should get you around 9x turnover which should be adequate for most applications.
There are many other factors that come to bear on the correct setup for any tank but this should get you started thinking in the right direction.
At the risk of oversimplifying the answer to your more complicated question, the pump size is limited to the maximum your drain system can gravity flow.
If you drain system is well designed and adheres to the parameters outlined in the folllowing link then you can determine it's flow potential. http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=205645
Your "well designed" 1 1/2" drain should be capable of a maximum 1350 GPH. Any quality pump capable of delivering this volume or slightly less, allowing for the head loss your system has, would be suitable.
I would look for a pump around 1300 GPH @ 3' head as a starting point.
This should get you around 9x turnover which should be adequate for most applications.
There are many other factors that come to bear on the correct setup for any tank but this should get you started thinking in the right direction.
I have a single 1500gph over flow on my 125 with 2 returns. I use 2 QuietOne 4000 pumps - 1 for each return, and it works like a charm.
Nugpuffer makes an excellent point. I also like the redundancy that two pumps give.nugpuffer;4128368;4128368 said:
One of two things is also true, either the overflow flows well in excess of the advertised 1500 GPH or the Two Quiet One 4000 pumps are not producing anywhere near their advertised flow rates (1017/980 GPH @ 0 head each). Another possibility is part of the pump output is being returned to the sump.
The reason I make this point is NOT to pick on Nugpuffer
, rather, it is to illustrate how many variables there are in choosing the right pump(s) for any particular application. Your overflow and related plumbing are not likely to match exactly to someone else's, mine included.The bottom line is , if your drain is plumbed correctly with a single 1 1/2" pipe you are limited to 1350 GPH total maximum flow.
Installing a pump or pumps that actually flow well in excess of this number is a waste of money and will require restricting or diverting a portion of the output.
The only exception to this would be if you have significant resrictions plumbed into the return circuit.
If the return pump pumps more water into the tank than the overflow can release... naturally the tank will overflow...
If the pump pumps less water than the overflow can release, the overflow will suck air creating a very annoying slurping noise...
Thus I recommend matching these two as absolutely close as possible... and putting ball valves on both the pump's return line and the overflows line... Then you have the ability to adjust each to match the other.
If matched "perfectly" you will need to ensure the overflow does not gain any additional restriction, or it will be slowed down resulting in the tank overflowing. A "proper" design will not allow for dditional restriction provided nothing (such as a large leaf) lodges itself in front of the overflow. This is a "risk" to any overflow/sump though.
If matched "perfectly" when the pumps prefilter gets clogged and begins slowing the return pump the overflow will begin making a slurping noise encouraging you to get off your butt and clean the prefilter
If the pump pumps less water than the overflow can release, the overflow will suck air creating a very annoying slurping noise...
Thus I recommend matching these two as absolutely close as possible... and putting ball valves on both the pump's return line and the overflows line... Then you have the ability to adjust each to match the other.
If matched "perfectly" you will need to ensure the overflow does not gain any additional restriction, or it will be slowed down resulting in the tank overflowing. A "proper" design will not allow for dditional restriction provided nothing (such as a large leaf) lodges itself in front of the overflow. This is a "risk" to any overflow/sump though.
If matched "perfectly" when the pumps prefilter gets clogged and begins slowing the return pump the overflow will begin making a slurping noise encouraging you to get off your butt and clean the prefilter
Thanks for all the input! Also was wondering if they make a float valve that will actually turn power off? Was thinking about putting a float valve on the very top inside of my overflow incase something was to ever happen and the tank was about to overflow, the switch would cut power to the pump. I know ato switches cut power on but can you reverse them to do the opposite?
Yes , Float switches are available both ways.
You are looking for a "pump Up" float switch.
Just make sure you get a switch rated for the amperage load required.
http://www.plumbingsupply.com/alarm.html
You are looking for a "pump Up" float switch.
Just make sure you get a switch rated for the amperage load required.
http://www.plumbingsupply.com/alarm.html
not wanting to hijack or derail, im finding this very interesting.
but can anyone recomend manufacturors or models of pumps they are using that are nice and quiet.
i know they may not be suited for all, but im sure most plumbing is quite direct therefore i would like to hope your 150 gallon would fit my 150gallon, give or take
im able to see what size pump etc from the sticky, but you never know how loud it is until you use it.
i hear mag pumps are popular but why and are there any others?
but can anyone recomend manufacturors or models of pumps they are using that are nice and quiet.
i know they may not be suited for all, but im sure most plumbing is quite direct therefore i would like to hope your 150 gallon would fit my 150gallon, give or take
im able to see what size pump etc from the sticky, but you never know how loud it is until you use it.
i hear mag pumps are popular but why and are there any others?
if your looking for a brand for the pump... then i'm pretty sure we can all agree: Little Giant is fantastic.