I am going to be upgrading my tank. With the tank upgrade I am going to switch to a sump system. I have never ran a sump before so I don't know what size return pump I should get. The tank will be a 220 with dual corner overflows. I will be doing a herbie overflow. What size pump should I get? Is 2000/gph sufficient? Or should I get something larger? Thanks for the help.
What size pump do I need?
- Thread starter Trucker Den
- Start date
For the 180g tank I am putting together I decided on going with a Jebao DCP-20000 5283gph pump.
I currently have a Jebao DCP-6500 1740gph rated pump on a 40g tank and it is a great pump... but the max flow doesn't seem to live up to the rating... at least not when comparing it to a lower flow rated AC pump I have. On its max setting it is plenty sufficient for my 40g tank though.
The Jebao 20000 @ 5283gph should be overkill for my 180g but it is easier to restrict the flow on a pump that is too big than it is to get more flow out of a pump that doesn't provide enough flow. I really like the electronic controller on my DCP-6500 because it lets me slow the flow down to almost nothing if I want just by hitting a button. I was surprised and pleased with the range of flows I can set with the controller. I love the feed feature, I press one button on the controller and the pump slows down to a trickle (but doesn't stop) then after 5 minutes it resumes its previous power setting. It really helps in keeping the food from going down the overflow... and since it is auto resume I don't have to remember to turn the pump back on after a few minutes.
There are so many variables in plumbing design, flow rates, equipment selection and tank layout that there is no way to say you need a X gph pump for a Y gallon tank. But 1750 gph pump sounds too small for a 220g tank to me. I would recommend going considerably bigger and going with one of the adjustable flow DC pumps available from several different manufactures.
I currently have a Jebao DCP-6500 1740gph rated pump on a 40g tank and it is a great pump... but the max flow doesn't seem to live up to the rating... at least not when comparing it to a lower flow rated AC pump I have. On its max setting it is plenty sufficient for my 40g tank though.
The Jebao 20000 @ 5283gph should be overkill for my 180g but it is easier to restrict the flow on a pump that is too big than it is to get more flow out of a pump that doesn't provide enough flow. I really like the electronic controller on my DCP-6500 because it lets me slow the flow down to almost nothing if I want just by hitting a button. I was surprised and pleased with the range of flows I can set with the controller. I love the feed feature, I press one button on the controller and the pump slows down to a trickle (but doesn't stop) then after 5 minutes it resumes its previous power setting. It really helps in keeping the food from going down the overflow... and since it is auto resume I don't have to remember to turn the pump back on after a few minutes.
There are so many variables in plumbing design, flow rates, equipment selection and tank layout that there is no way to say you need a X gph pump for a Y gallon tank. But 1750 gph pump sounds too small for a 220g tank to me. I would recommend going considerably bigger and going with one of the adjustable flow DC pumps available from several different manufactures.
Last edited:
Much may depend on the type fish you are going to put in the tank.
If you have fish that live in oxbows or swamps such as discus, or many anabantoids, you can get by with a lower flow than if you keep average riverine, or. lake species but ..if you plan on keeping rheophyllic species (my favorites)that need high flow and extra oxygen (such as Tomocichla, Rheoheros, Retroculus or some Gobys), or those from surf tidal zones like Eretmodus, or others that live in below waterfalls in countercurrent zones like African tigerish, your pump size size may need to be much more powerful.
If you have fish that live in oxbows or swamps such as discus, or many anabantoids, you can get by with a lower flow than if you keep average riverine, or. lake species but ..if you plan on keeping rheophyllic species (my favorites)that need high flow and extra oxygen (such as Tomocichla, Rheoheros, Retroculus or some Gobys), or those from surf tidal zones like Eretmodus, or others that live in below waterfalls in countercurrent zones like African tigerish, your pump size size may need to be much more powerful.