Sump - Pump Return Sizing

chuckster · 04-09-2004, 01:14 AM

I need to "size (in GPM) my return pump from my sump/fuge.
The new main tank is a 90G. The sump/fuge is 30G. I think I have seen a formula here for sizing the return pump based on the number of water turns in the main tank. Obviously you would need to consider the size of the fuge to determine the amount/rate of water through the fuge. It seems that this would effect the amount of nitrate absorbed by macro algae etc. in the fuge, based of time exposure etc.
I hope I'm not making too big of an issue out of this, but it seems like a fairly critical decision!
THANKS!!!!!!

jks1 · 04-09-2004, 08:22 AM

I think it has more to do with the size of your overflow- how much water can the overflow handle. Remember you dont need a lot of water flow in your return line. Just enough to get the water back into the tank at a 10+ or so tank turn over ratio. For a 90 I would thing somewhere in the neighborhood of a MAG 9.5 or so. HTH

BoomerD · 04-09-2004, 08:23 AM

I'm not sure about figuring your pump size based on fuge or number of returns, but I know there is a calculator on RC for figuring how many gph your overflows will handle, as well as a sump volume calculator.
Overflow/drain size calc.

Sump volume calc.
Hopefully, one of these will get you the answers you're looking for.

wooddood · 04-09-2004, 09:03 AM

i agree with john the rule of thumb is 10x turn over rate but that is becoming debateable by alot of hobbyist for a number of reasons, bb for one and ect ect ect. your overflow will actually handle more volume then they are rated at but i would go with whay boomer suggest and look at the calculaters that way you know your at least in the ball park. if you need more water movement add some closed loops, they dont effect the overflow or return rate at all.

04-09-2004, 01:14 AM	#1 (permalink)
chuckster Tubeworm Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 33 View Gallery Karma Komment	Sump - Pump Return Sizing I need to "size (in GPM) my return pump from my sump/fuge. The new main tank is a 90G. The sump/fuge is 30G. I think I have seen a formula here for sizing the return pump based on the number of water turns in the main tank. Obviously you would need to consider the size of the fuge to determine the amount/rate of water through the fuge. It seems that this would effect the amount of nitrate absorbed by macro algae etc. in the fuge, based of time exposure etc. I hope I'm not making too big of an issue out of this, but it seems like a fairly critical decision! THANKS!!!!!! __________________ 30L Mini Reef 40# LR 3" SB Mated Pair False Percs, Yellow Tang, Sun Polyp, 2 Open Brains, Candy, Ricordia, Torch, Tons Of Mushrooms, BTA, Thoads, Zoa's Variety of Snails, Shrimp and Hermits

04-09-2004, 08:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
jks1 Achilles Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Jacksonville, Fl Posts: 876 View Gallery Karma Komment	I think it has more to do with the size of your overflow- how much water can the overflow handle. Remember you dont need a lot of water flow in your return line. Just enough to get the water back into the tank at a 10+ or so tank turn over ratio. For a 90 I would thing somewhere in the neighborhood of a MAG 9.5 or so. HTH __________________ John Tank: 29g glass Pumps: Mag5.0 return - (3) rio 100 PHs Lighting: (1) 150w XM 10K/(2) 30W actinics Equipment: Aqua C Urchin skimmer- CPR Fuge, Titanium Heater -Red Sea wavemaster Pro Tank: 210g 1/2" Acrylic, dual overflows, 75g glass sump w/ 20g fuge. Pumps: Mag24 return - (2) MAG24s running 2 closed loop systems. Lighting: (3) 400w XM 10K/(2) Custom Sealife 96w PC - 25w dimmable incandescent Moonlight Equipment: Aqua C EV180 skimmer - CR500 calc reactor - Titanium Heater - AquaLogic single Stage Temp Controller - Aquanetics 1/5Hp Chiller - Neptune sys aquacontroller

04-09-2004, 09:03 AM	#4 (permalink)
wooddood the wood dude Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: marion. INDIANA Posts: 3,457 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	i agree with john the rule of thumb is 10x turn over rate but that is becoming debateable by alot of hobbyist for a number of reasons, bb for one and ect ect ect. your overflow will actually handle more volume then they are rated at but i would go with whay boomer suggest and look at the calculaters that way you know your at least in the ball park. if you need more water movement add some closed loops, they dont effect the overflow or return rate at all. __________________ 120 gal/in wall tank/starboard substraight/2 250 watt 10k xm metal halides/ 4 55watt 03 actinics/150lbs lr/scwd on return/scwd on a closed loop/aquaclear aquatics 200 pro wetdry w/skimmer. ask all the questions you have if we cant answer it we'll make up some thing. remember patience is the key to a kick ass reef. dave.

04-09-2004, 08:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,638 View Gallery Karma Komment	I'm not sure about figuring your pump size based on fuge or number of returns, but I know there is a calculator on RC for figuring how many gph your overflows will handle, as well as a sump volume calculator. Overflow/drain size calc. Sump volume calc. Hopefully, one of these will get you the answers you're looking for.

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