Return Pump?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
R

ryanoh

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 15, 2011
49
0
0
Memphis, TN
I'm setting up my first sump, and looking at what pumps are good.

I'm getting mixed reviews on Rio pumps, and good ones on Mag drives, but they're expensive...

I have a 40 breeder with a 20 long sump. What gph do you guys think I need? There's going to be a 3.5 foot head between the bottom of my sump and the top of my tank. That's how you measure that, right?
 
Okay, but that's how I'd calculate the vertical, yes?

Any suggestions for a brand for me, or maybe even a model based on the info I've given? I'm getting my tank drilled tomorrow so I'm not sure exactly about what bends are going to happen, but I'd like to get a pump bigger than what I need and just split the return.

Howsabout turnover rate? I've read things from 4x to 10x and all things in between from different sites. Does anyone here have any advice?
 
I did use the calculator, but not know what turnover rate I'm going for I don't think it'll help me much. I'm looking at a 600 gph with it split 400 200 between my main tank and my sump. That seems like a lot. I'll continue to calculate and shop around for pumps, but I feel like I'm looking for an okay on the flow rate first.
 
Like I said, I'm getting it drilled tomorrow so its nothing right now, meaning that it can change if you have a better idea. I'm getting three holes drill to do a beananimal setup with three one inch pipes.
 
Bean's own setup handles 2000gph through 1" bulkheads, so the skies the limit for pumps . If you were breeding L46 zebras you could throw a pump rated at 20x turnover per hour and your drains would never skip a beat.

For a more normal setup, any where in the 300gph to 600gph would suit most needs. plenty of options in that range from mag drives to eheims and everything in between
 
Well, I've got my three holes drilled and bulkheads install, and now I'm working on an overflow box.

I spent a while talking to the guy at my lfs yesterday when I picked up the tank, and he said that 4x is a good place to start for a turnover rate, and that I should get a bigger pump and tee it back into the sump that way I can close some valves and get more flow if I'm not happy with it. Sounds good.
I'm running a fairly planted tank though, and I read that 10x is standard turnover for plants. Does it make sense and go for the happy medium of 7x? Also, when calculating turnover, do I include the volume of my sump, or just of my DT?
 
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