Return pump????

[Myteemouse]

Does anyone know if I could use a 250 gph pump for a return pump for a small refugium I'm gonna build!!
I'f so what size hose should I use and should I put a ball valve inline on the overflow hose to adjust the rate to equalize the out and in???
First DIY sump/refugium so please help?

 

[Myteemouse]

sorry it's only a 29 gallon tank!!!

 

[excuzzzeme]

The minimum turnover you should ballpark would be 5 times an hour. Don't forget to take into account the hose length and any 90degree bends as that will drop the rate.

If you have a 600gph pump and 4 ft return you might be lucky to have 300gph turn over. A generic rule of thumb is if you want 600gph it should be 2/3 of your target pump.(900 gph) The best way is to measure head height (total run of return line) and and find a chart for that pump. Most mfg provide that information.

 

[Myteemouse]

cool but mostly this a refugium and a skimmer houseing and a place to put the heater!!!! I was told the fuge shouldn't have as much flow as a "sump"?

 

[Myteemouse]

so i'm looking for a 500 gph pump!
A mag 5 would do the trick!!!!
I think I'll put ball valves on every line!!!! just for ease of maintenance!!!!

 

[excuzzzeme]

Refugiums need only as much flow as required to keep it clean and healthy. Typically it can drop the turnover to about 3 times and hour. Personally, I think that is too low and a higher rate would be better if it was baffled.

 

[Myteemouse]

Gonna look just lke this but longer and not so deep front to back!!!!

 

[Reefscape]

Sounds like your on the right track there with flow...moved this to Marine Products and DIY...

 

[Myteemouse]

Thanks !