Sump Pump selection

[357MAGNOLE]

I think they sound like great pumps, might be a little spotty in QC but the features and price are very attractive.

 

[357MAGNOLE]

Now I need to figure out a sump design to go with. Haven't decided if doing a diy out of a 40B or buying one already made.

 

[Oughtsix]

After doing more research and math I think I am safest with 2 of the DCP 5000. I am seeing conflicting results as to whether or not you can dial in the new DCP model below 65% or if thats as low as it gets. In that case, I wouldnt want to get stuck with the 6500 series and have TOO much flow. Looks like ill be able to run the 5000 series at 65% and achieve roughly 394 GPH. If that turns out to be the case, and 394 is achieved on each pump ill have close to 790 GPH total for a 6.5 turnover rate on the tank.... I think that's a great number. If it turns out a little on high side ill run a ball valve in there and use that to help limit the flow.

I replaced a QuietOne 3000 AC pump with the DCP 5000 DC pump. I love the DCP 5000 pump but it does not have as much flow as my QuietOne 3000. Knowing what I know now I would have gone with the DCP 6500. The variable drive on the DCP pump is a very nice feature and allows me to cut back the flow to almost nothing. I thought the DCP 5000 would be too much flow for my 35g tank... it isn't. I think you will be better off with a pair of DCP 6500's... just my hunch though.

 

[Oughtsix]

Now I need to figure out a sump design to go with. Haven't decided if doing a diy out of a 40B or buying one already made.

I really like wet/dry (trickle) filters with bioballs suspended in the air. I just purchased a Aqua-LinkADP C-55 wet/dry filter off e-bay for $114.73 for my 35g tank. It was money well spent! I love building things... especially aquarium filters but the pre built wet/dry was a better way to go for me. The Aqua-LinkADP C-55 came with some very lame mesh for the wet/dry compartment... I promptly replaced it with bioballs. I also threw out the siphon overflow the filter came with because I had already drilled my tank and siphon overflows are headaches IMHO.

My perfect sump would have filter socks suspended over the bioballs with air stones under the bioballs. The Aqua-LinkADP C-55 has filter pads over the bioballs which work well but are not as good as filter socks IMHO... my cabinet is not tall enough for air suspended filter socks anyway.

I had to purchase a round heater to fit in the small Aqua-LinkADP C-55 as a straight stick heater would not fit. I had to go with the Aqua-LinkADP C-55 because it is only 10" wide and the door on my cabinet is only 11" wide.

 

[Nickyfish]

Nice

 

[Oughtsix]

After doing more research and math I think I am safest with 2 of the DCP 5000. I am seeing conflicting results as to whether or not you can dial in the new DCP model below 65% or if thats as low as it gets. In that case, I wouldnt want to get stuck with the 6500 series and have TOO much flow. Looks like ill be able to run the 5000 series at 65% and achieve roughly 394 GPH. If that turns out to be the case, and 394 is achieved on each pump ill have close to 790 GPH total for a 6.5 turnover rate on the tank.... I think that's a great number. If it turns out a little on high side ill run a ball valve in there and use that to help limit the flow.

I just checked my DCP 5000 and it will go down to 30%. I believe 30% is the speed of the impeller. In my tank 30% isnt much more than a trickle. I wish I had gotten a 6500.