Best flow rate for sump pump

[Delbrando]

I have a 90 reef tank. I have a Mega Flow Model 4 sump. I have 2 different pumps I can use in the sump, 1 with a flow rate of 1,200 GPH and the other with a flow rate of 1,800 GPH. Which pump should I use. The "Guy at the Fish store" told me I should use the smaller pump because 1,200 GPH was plenty. I have 2 Vortec MP40's, and I know how important flow is in a reef tank. That being said, wouldn't I want the larger pump of 1,800 GPH as it would filter the tank 10 more times an hour over the smaller pump?

 

[Reefing Madness]

Flow through a sump only needs to be around 3-6 times your DT volume, they don't operate like a filter does. So theres no reason to go with the bigger one here.

 

[mrred]

You have a set up similar to yours. My flow rate is around 1,800 gph. I like the fact I do not need as many power heads cluttering up my look. I turned my overflow/return into a dual intake to my sump and piped my returns around the back of the tank with ball valves and then used Y fittings to spread and adjust the flow. Its a very clean look and super effective and efficient. Im new to this thread so if you need pics ill get them to you. For me its all about being creative and keeping my tank as natural as I can.

 

[Pappy]

Your flow through sump should be max 900gph. As suggested above slow flow = better filtration.

You should never use more return to compensate for power heads in a tank IMO.

 

[Mike J.]

I vote for smaller pump. Also, agree with Pappy.

 

[tigerdragon]

One thing everyone is forgetting head loss. Vertical runs of pipe, any 45's any 90's and horiz runs all contribute to head loss and what your pump is actually returning to the tank.

 

[tigerdragon]

Oh and fig in check valves, unions, and ball or gate valves

 

[Mike J.]

Nope, didn't forget I was thinking that hopefully he'd lose 300 gph on head loss, etc, plus use a ball valve to restrict flow if it was too much.

 

[trido]

I have a 1200GPH pump on my 210. Remember, you only need to clean, reheat/cool and add additives with your sump. It really should not be considered as part of your diplay tank flow for water movement. In most standard tanks a return pump can never make a dent in total water flow.

 

[mrred]

Didnt want to give any misinformation about flow rate it was just my opinion. Even with 10 years I am open to what works for others. I have found a huge benefit to high flow in my sump, so in that I would determine flow rate by what you're system demands. I run my uv through my return line but with diverted flow and also TLF reactor. The Benefit of a high flow pump is you can use it with proper plumbing to run multiple devices and cutting down on heat using several pumps and sure makes my system clean cut.

 

[Boa1277]

I agree with going with the larger pump, not only will you be able to divert flow for various items..reactors, UV, it is very easy to slow it down especially if you run a DC pump! You can always slow things down but unfortunately when you only have so much flow and you return pump is maxed well it's hard to squeeze water from a stone!

 

[Mike J.]

I agree with going with the larger pump, not only will you be able to divert flow for various items..reactors, UV, it is very easy to slow it down especially if you run a DC pump! You can always slow things down but unfortunately when you only have so much flow and you return pump is maxed well it's hard to squeeze water from a stone!

Gotta admit that's a good point. You sure don't want a pump that's overrated for the overflow though.

 

[TJ's Reef]

I'm a big proponent of High-Flow Sump/Fuges for over 20 years and would always suggest as much as your overflows will safely handle. Your Skimmer, Reactors and Macro Algae will all do well if not better in high flow IME/IMHO. To me there is not one valid reason for having a slow 3-5x turnover rate, I currently run 10x or a bit more. Skimmers and Reactors will have more water to process and Macro in a high flow environment are cleaner, healthier and there for better equipped to remove nutrients. I have a very healthy population of pods, mysid shrimp, snails, limpits, macro algae and even 3 or more thriving baby Bangaii in my fuge. As for added DT flow...... why not ???


Cheers, Todd

 

[jaesong]

I run a higher GPH return pump and just control the flow by splitting the return.

from the sump output pump:
● pipe#1 goes to the tank
● pipe#2 goes back to the sump

On the branch that goes to the sump, I have multiple split offs with ball valves controlling flow to my reactors and finally to the sump again. This is mostly so I can have multiple tanks and use the same sump for them. I haven't had problems with this setup.