How to determine GPH sump pump

ctylermast

Active Member
View Badges
Joined
Oct 11, 2025
Messages
149
Reaction score
78
Location
virginia
What state or country do you live in
Virginia
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
So I’m picking up this system this weekend, already has overflow installed, don’t know what kind or model etc etc. so idk what the gph rating is. My question is , it doesn’t come with a sump pump, I’m also changing out that sump with my 40g sump that I made. Anyways, how do I calculate or determine how many gph I should get, when I don’t know details on overflow.

IMG_3010.jpeg
 
5-10x turnover is usually plenty. Some prefer 3x and some will tell you that you need more.

So for a 40 gallon look for a pump rated around 400 gph give or take.

Dc pumps are preferred as you can easily adjust their speed up and down. So if you wanted to get around a 750 -1000 gph pump,you could then turn it down to operate @ 30-50% power so that it’s more efficient.
 
10x turnover is on a higher end, I would aim at 4-5x, but you have to take into consideration head pressure, so how high your pump is going to deliver flow, how many bends of a pipe. Many pumps manufacturers provide curves for that. DC pump is ideal, but more expensive than AC pump, so many reefers uses AC too.
 
So I’m picking up this system this weekend, already has overflow installed, don’t know what kind or model etc etc. so idk what the gph rating is. My question is , it doesn’t come with a sump pump, I’m also changing out that sump with my 40g sump that I made. Anyways, how do I calculate or determine how many gph I should get, when I don’t know details on overflow.
You need to determine the diameter of the pvc pipe/bulkheads in the overflow box. How many and what size.
 

WHEN YOU SEE A REEF2REEF POLL, WHAT’S YOUR USUAL MOVE?

  • Vote right away, then head to the comments

    Votes: 11 40.7%
  • Read the comments first...then decide what I think

    Votes: 1 3.7%
  • Vote and explain my choice in the comments

    Votes: 2 7.4%
  • Dude, I just vote...I don't care about the comments

    Votes: 12 44.4%
  • Vote, then come back later to see how it turned out

    Votes: 1 3.7%
  • Pick “Other” because my opinion is too nuanced to fit any of your simpleton boxes

    Votes: 1 3.7%
  • I usually read the comments but exercise my right not to vote

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • I always get excited about Daniel’s daily polls, obviously 😎

    Votes: 3 11.1%
  • Other (Post in the comments)

    Votes: 3 11.1%
Back
Top
Home
Post thread…
Market
What's new