Sump and Overflow for my 500 gallon acrylic tank

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
my 550 has a 1mx2ftx2ft sump and works well BUT I only have 1x drain line and 1 return line 5000LPH, I would aim for a 5x2x2 sump and a 16500 LPH laguna pump for that tank. you may want a wave maker in there just for added flow.

How you do the drains etc is all up to you, you could use 1 hole for a return line and the other 2 holes for drain lines.

Id just run one pump, if you set it up correctly it shouldnt matter if the pump breaks the sump should hold all the excessive water, only advantage in running 2-3 pumps is if you need set flows in certain devices for example you run a UV that requires a flow of 2500-3000 LPH getting that flow by Ting the return pump off with a valve wont be easy.

there are many more negatives then that one pro which is not really a big pro for freshwater also.
 
I recommend using 2 or even 3 filter socks for that kind of flow rate as they clog up fairly fast. And 2 pumps cant be bad. Also after the filter socks there is NO need for more mechanical filtration. Personally I use fluidized bed filters instead of bio balls and it works amazingly!
 
You always have a backup if one craps out. And why is it linking things in my post?
 
eh I guess u can say that, but if you get a decent pump I doubt it will break and the power you save in the first year is enough to buy another if the pump breaks. you can always pick up a el cheapo for the time.

I dont know I just dont see the point maybe when U run 15+ tanks you notice the difference in energy but 40Ws of power in todays way of life is 70-100$ per year depending where u are.
 
DJ, how's the tank coming along? Any updates?

Squirtle919 said:
2 pumps is not bad but its not good, theres no point in running 2. your just wasting power for what? the joy of having 2 pumps?
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Squirtle919 said:
eh I guess u can say that, but if you get a decent pump I doubt it will break and the power you save in the first year is enough to buy another if the pump breaks. you can always pick up a el cheapo for the time.

I dont know I just dont see the point maybe when U run 15+ tanks you notice the difference in energy but 40Ws of power in todays way of life is 70-100$ per year depending where u are.
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All pumps will eventually fail...it's just a matter of time. Running two gives you some redundancy that could save your stock in the event a pump seizes up on you. In some cases, running two pumps actually ends up using less energy than running one larger pump.

Aquaticeco has a great article on pg. 271 of their catalog that explains the benefits of running two smaller pumps versus one larger: http://mastercatalog.aquaticeco.com/

I know that you can argue they are just trying to sell you two pumps, but after reading the benefits it's up to you to determine whether or not it's worth any additional cost (sometimes two smaller pumps will actually end up being cheaper than one large).
 
they mainly go on with wattage but I am yet to find 2 pumps that can produce less wattage then 1 big pump =3 been looking as I need a big pump 20 000 LPH or so but theres not many this size closest is the laguna 160W + 100W for another 9000lph.

if you can find 2 pumps that produce less wattage then 1 big pump sure but I am yet to find one down under we dont have as much items as us but here laguna is the best bang for buck performance wise, running costs and warranty my lfs has some 8-10 years old and they still pump!

that seems to be the only benefit of running 2 pumps less power usage but I personally see this as false. I see the added benefit of having 1 for a backup but I keep power heads for that, again if I could find 2 pumps that use less power id run 2 but I cant the closest I found was 200W for one system vs the 140W that extra 60W is 150-180$ per a year in power which is why I believe if it breaks I have saved enough money to buy another pump as soon as it breaks.

Anyways all comes down to personally preference its a bit like food, some love nls some love hikari
 
well i'm about to make a big order of plumbing and fish supplies from Drfoster and smith.... i'll explain more thoroughly a little later, but quick question, are there any online places you guys use for buying fish supplies that is cheaper than Drfosters?

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i decided to go with a laguna 4200, i'm a bit concerned that my 4 1+3/4 inch drains wont be enough for that pump, since the bulkhead reduces them to 1" working drains, but we'll see, if it isnt i'll return it and get the 2900 ... bought some 1/4 inch acrylic from home depot to cut and use as the lids for my 40 gallon sump, in order to alter it to allow 4 drains.... am going to use my buddies 125 gallon tank as the basin that the 40 gallon sump sits in since he wants it out of his house ASAP... decided to use corrugated tubing, as it seems more flexible, but this could be a mistake, since people say its more difficult to clamp and make a good seal, and it restricts flow more than clear tubing, but we'll see... i may also have to use all pvc for the return line if the corrugated tubing isnt up to the task... decided to have the return line go above my tank, then down into it through a 2" hole that is in the top of the tank, thus eliminating the fear of drilling a return line myself... ordered all the plumbing and stuff online, which had my head spinning trying to get everything right in my head, but we'll see, should be coming in this week ... also bought pavestone patio/paver base to use as my substrate... its dark in color, which i think will help bring the color out in my fish, and has large cobbles + sand which i think will be a neat combination, just a little nervous as i've heard mixed results with these silica substrates... plus i tested washing it yesterday, and it was a pain, not as bad as play sand, but close, but a little extra work doesnt scare me... i'll post more as this process continues... .the scariest part is going to be getting this tank into the basement of my house, cause it is one heavy SOB!!

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decided against the Paver/Patio base for my tank... its rather sharp and the fear is that there may be concrete or other possibly poisonous rocks that could upset my pH or pollute my water... went with pool filter sand, since its reliable and proven, its just a bit lighter in color than i wanted

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