Overflow gph+tank size= return pump gph?

[reef’r]

time for another “which size” return pump question, I’ll keep it short and sweet. 60 gallon cube, installing a modular marine 1200gph over flow. Trying to decide on return pump, I have a reef octo skimmer so was considering going with a return pump from them as well (vario-4 around 1,000gph or vario-6 around 1700gph) but now am becoming intrigued my Jabeo just to save a little and possibly buy two. So, how many gph is recommended for my setup, and pump recommendations.

 

[minus9]

Just shoot for 1x to 3x turnover for your return and you'll be fine. Anything above this is a unnecessary for so many different reasons. I tend to oversize my return pump a little, which means it's working less and will hopefully last a little longer than something that's working full throttle all the time. I have a 90g with a 35g sump and use a COR20 at 32%, feeding two 3/4" returns with multiple 90 elbows, so I'm not pushing a ton of water, just enough to exchange between the two (sump/display). I'm using a Coral Box (which is Nautilus, I think?) from Reef Breeders on my nano system, which feeds two different tanks. I wouldn't hesitate to buy this pump again and if my COR20 ever went down, I would probably pick up a Nautilus to replace it, especially for the money.

 

[Hooz]

Jebao return pumps are super solid. I own several different sizes and generations, and they've been bulletproof for me.

I would concur with @minus9 in that a traditional overflow/sump setup, 3x is completely fine. I personally wouldn't do more than 5x. You're not depending on your return pump for any real tank flow. You should be relying on powerheads for that. I would size the overflow accordingly as well. An 800gph Modular Marine overflow would be more than enough.

Now, if it is a return pump in an AiO/nano system, then all bets are off because it might account for the majority of the total tank flow. But, that's a different situation.

 

[reef’r]

Jebao return pumps are super solid. I own several different sizes and generations, and they've been bulletproof for me.

I would concur with @minus9 in that a traditional overflow/sump setup, 3x is completely fine. I personally wouldn't do more than 5x. You're not depending on your return pump for any real tank flow. You should be relying on powerheads for that. I would size the overflow accordingly as well. An 800gph Modular Marine overflow would be more than enough.

Now, if it is a return pump in an AiO/nano system, then all bets are off because it might account for the majority of the total tank flow. But, that's a different situation.

Is there any downside to having the 1200gph overflow? As I already have it ordered

 

[Hooz]

Is there any downside to having the 1200gph overflow? As I already have it ordered

As long as you're using a gate valve on the main drain, it should be fine. Just kind of wasted capacity and takes up more space in the tank than really necessary. It'll still be functional.