Sump and Plumbing for my 535. Need help

[mrrobxc]

Not sure what you mean by this. I think JK47 does something like this where he is running a submersible pump in the tank that is connected to an ultima.

I meant more like you only need so much redundancy. The reason people told you to get 2 pumps for your sump was that if one pump breaks (which they do) you have another as backup to keep the filtration running. If you are running an ultima in addition to a sump, I would just do one pump for the ultima and one pump for the sump. Unless you want to run 3 pumps (2 in sump and 1 for ultima).

Below is a link to an awesome wattage/cost calculator that I have been using to figure out the cost of running my planned 535g tank. Check your utility bill to see what you get charged per watt and then just populate this calculator. I dont want to be spending a ton on monthly utilities so I have used this calculator to help me drive some decisions.
https://www.marinedepot.com/md_educationcenter_calculators_tank_electrical.html

Thank you sir. That clarified a lot for me. I think two total pumps is ideal. Water alone is going to cost a pretty penny. I’d love to save as much on electricity as possible.

I’ll have to figure out sizing of the sump pump. My holes already drilled in the tank are 2.5”. I wonder what kind of flow I’d need to match the rate the water will dump out of the tank given the size of these holes.

 

[mrrobxc]

With an optimum flow rate of 2000 gph for the Ultima, I don't think it will be compatible with a 125 gallon sump. You would be best served running the Ultima closed loop. You could get by with using even a submersible pond pump in the sump.

Sounds good. I like the laguna pumps from the feedback I’ve read on all the threads I’ve been reading.

Thanks for all your help pacu mom !

 

[JK47]

You saying the super dart gold isn't enough for your ultima 2000? I just check the reeflo website and it looks like it does 1850gph @10' which is just under the 2,000gph requirement on their website.

Thank you sir. That clarified a lot for me. I think two total pumps is ideal. Water alone is going to cost a pretty penny. I’d love to save as much on electricity as possible.

I’ll have to figure out sizing of the sump pump. My holes already drilled in the tank are 2.5”. I wonder what kind of flow I’d need to match the rate the water will dump out of the tank given the size of these holes.

I run the Reeflo Dart/Snapper Gold Model and there are different pumps. Mine are 4,300 GPH each. At wide open they do a pretty good job of backwashing and take around 150-200 gallons to backwash well.

Yes plumb them separately. Two reasons, 1) you need closed loop to backwash properly. This is critical. 2) In the event you take one system down or decide you don't need it running, turn it off, save some cash and one system can supplement the other. I ran my 600 on one pump/ultima combo to see if it would keep up and it did with regular bi-weekly cleanings.

A 2k pump will not be sufficient to fully clean a 2000 model IMO. I have 4 ultimas, five reeflo pumps and a lot of sumps. I've tried most combos and done a lot of the experimental work already. Trust me, high flow gold pump, nothing less in a 2000. Valve it back while in normal operation and it's the best of both worlds. Will clean and filter both mechanically and biologically. If you want to run a sump as well go for it. Load it up with bio and you will be all set with one Ultima/sump combo.

One pump = ultima (Reeflo preferred)
One pump = sump (any pump with a rating you like, I use Laguna for combo tanks)

 

[JK47]

please keep in mind that when reading through what I've done on my large ultima/pump combos that they are over filtered and then some because I need filters fully cycled that can run a much larger tank. It makes upgrading a quick and painless process. It also mitigates the risk of a loss, post setup. This doesn't mean every person who runs an Ultima needs to have two and two pumps as well. That is an exception.

 

[mrrobxc]

I run the Reeflo Dart/Snapper Gold Model and there are different pumps. Mine are 4,300 GPH each. At wide open they do a pretty good job of backwashing and take around 150-200 gallons to backwash well.

Yes plumb them separately. Two reasons, 1) you need closed loop to backwash properly. This is critical. 2) In the event you take one system down or decide you don't need it running, turn it off, save some cash and one system can supplement the other. I ran my 600 on one pump/ultima combo to see if it would keep up and it did with regular bi-weekly cleanings.

A 2k pump will not be sufficient to fully clean a 2000 model IMO. I have 4 ultimas, five reeflo pumps and a lot of sumps. I've tried most combos and done a lot of the experimental work already. Trust me, high flow gold pump, nothing less in a 2000. Valve it back while in normal operation and it's the best of both worlds. Will clean and filter both mechanically and biologically. If you want to run a sump as well go for it. Load it up with bio and you will be all set with one Ultima/sump combo.

One pump = ultima (Reeflo preferred)
One pump = sump (any pump with a rating you like, I use Laguna for combo tanks)

Thank you. I’ll pick up the reeflo super dart gold for the ultima II 2000.

What size pump in gph should I be looking at for the sump ? I’m pretty set on the laguna pumps as recommended. My holes in the back are 2.5”. I’m wondering if that affects the flow rate pump I should run.

 

[JK47]

Thank you. I’ll pick up the reeflo super dart gold for the ultima II 2000.

What size pump in gph should I be looking at for the sump ? I’m pretty set on the laguna pumps as recommended. My holes in the back are 2.5”. I’m wondering if that affects the flow rate pump I should run.

Since you are already running the reeflo, get a Laguna 2900. Great pump, wicked easy to plumb and submersible. The other thing I love about them is the quick disconnect hoes. Order an extra. Hook that to a hose and you can use it as a utility pump around the room too whenever you want. The holes are wide open, that pump will keep it silent.

You dont have to allocate as much space in the sump because the Ulitma is a mech workhorse. SO load up on bio, K1 or whatever. The low turnover rate of the 2900 means it does not need the typical turn over rate a sump alone would take to keep up.

 

[JK47]

if you want to wait a couple weeks I dont mind posting the next build for you to check out. I wasn't planning on posting that build but if it helps LMK and I will.

I am doing a 4x4x2 with an Ulitma 1000 with a low flow (1,800 GPH) Reeflo Dart and Laguna ran sump/K1 combo. This Ulitma has a special valve setup though so I can use a different pump to backwash.

 

[pacu mom]

With an overflow system, once the water drops below the weir's, water no longer enters the overflow box and on to the sump. So there's sort of a status quo. I suppose with a super big pump the sump could be pumped dry. You could probably choose any reasonable rate through the sump and be good.

 

[mrrobxc]

if you want to wait a couple weeks I dont mind posting the next build for you to check out. I wasn't planning on posting that build but if it helps LMK and I will.

I am doing a 4x4x2 with an Ulitma 1000 with a low flow (1,800 GPH) Reeflo Dart and Laguna ran sump/K1 combo. This Ulitma has a special valve setup though so I can use a different pump to backwash.

You’ve been plenty helpful already. Would hate to ask for you to go through a whole new thread but if you choose to, I’ll be all over it!

 

[mrrobxc]

With an overflow system, once the water drops below the weir's, water no longer enters the overflow box and on to the sump. So there's sort of a status quo. I suppose with a super big pump the sump could be pumped dry. You could probably choose any reasonable rate through the sump and be good.

Thank you!