Flow through sump

[JOKER]

What kind of flow through sump do you recommend on SPS heavy tank? Know recommend around 50x total but what works best through sump? Planning a 200 gallon and getting my equipment together. Have a closed loop planned with dc pump so I can adjust as needed. Thought about having same pump for return, that way if one goes out I would have a backup.

 

[mr_gasket]

Wouldn't the flow through your sump be dictated by your return pump? Maybe I don't understand your system. Is your flow: Display-->Sump-->Return pump-->Display-->.....? If so, then the flow through your sump would be the same as the flow through your display, unless your overflows are not rated to handle your pump in which case you will overfill your display and run your sump dry.

 

[Bassett22]

Your flow through your sump shouldn't be any more then what your skimmer can process. Your flow should be slow, gentle and quiet. Your in tank flow should come from powerheads or a closed loop.

 

[JOKER]

The tank will be peninsula style 200. 84" 24" with overflow on the end. Will be able to run 3000 or more through tank If needed. I was thinking around 1500 gph through the sump. The skimmer will handle 1200 L/H or 317 gph. The closed loop will be around 3000 gph.

 

[JOKER]

The flow through sump is set by your return pump. Im just looking for a good average sump flow. The total flow will be counting closed loop return and powerheads. Some people run a lot of flow through sump with stronger return pumps requiring less in tank circulation. I am going with normal flow through sump and adding a ton with closed loop and PH

Wouldn't the flow through your sump be dictated by your return pump? Maybe I don't understand your system. Is your flow: Display-->Sump-->Return pump-->Display-->.....? If so, then the flow through your sump would be the same as the flow through your display, unless your overflows are not rated to handle your pump in which case you will overfill your display and run your sump dry.

 

[hart24601]

I am a fan of around 5x total flow through the sump. So for 200 gallons I would want 1000GPH personally. I don't think it really matters much though, whatever makes you happy, the coral wont care as long as the total tank turnover is high. Higher sump flow is more likely to make noise if that is an issue. I like 80-100x turnover stony coral in general, if I didn't have a mixed reef I would probably do 120x or more turnover.

 

[mr_gasket]

I missed the part about the closed loop the first go around. an oceans motions would be pretty sweet.

 

[JOKER]

20,000 GPH would be a ton for sure. With 3000 or so on the closed loop I would need another 17,000. That is doable for sure was looking at maybe the gyre and a few jebao rw 20. That would get me in the ballpark. I was thinking the gyre on the end opposite the overflow and the jebao on the overflow end... With the closed loop would it be better to have it run on and off for surging or run it all the time? This will be my first closed loop.

I like the oceans motion but have read bad reviews on them and they are pretty pricey.

 

[pickupman66]

JOKER,

in my experiences, the flwo thru the sump shoudl be about 8-10X yoru total volume. this shoudl give you enough dwell time for a skimmer to pickup the nasties and bubbles to rise out of the water. in an SPS tank, having a MUCH higher turnover INSIDE the display is the key.

 

[KoleTang]

Your sump doesn't need to be the Amazon River. You just need maybe 8-10x turnover as pickupman said.

If you think you need more flow because stuff is settling in the sump or there is bacteria growing on the surface, just add a circulation pump.

 

[thejuggernaut]

I would be more worried about sizing my return to the sump than the size of the display. A display can handle as much flow as you want to put in it, but if your sump is too small, it will make noise. A 18" wide sump can handle about 1500-1700 gph before it starts to make allot of water noise. I had an 36X15 sump and I wouldn't probably put more than 1200 GPH through it. Also filter socks are a concern. If you only have 1 4" sock, it will start overflowing pretty quick with more than around 800 GPH. I wouldn't put more than about 1200-1400 GPH through 2 4" socks.

 

[JOKER]

Thannks guys. Lindsey i am planning a jabeo or similiar dc pump for return so hopefully i can find the sweet spot. Plan to use the same pump for closed loop. I just wanted to make sure somewhere around 10 times was plenty for sump. I have an idea to keep stuff from settling in sump , but i have to see if it works. I plan 2 4" socks when needed, and also am going to feed the opposite end raw water for the DSB section. The sump plans are 72" 18" 16" as of right now with 36" 18" 6" or close DSB section on one side.

 

[Ashish Patel]

In a newer tank less is fine, in a fully stock reef with large fish more is better. I think having flex to ramp it up when nutrients get out of hand is the best way to judge ideal. If I had to set it and forget it I would lean towards the higher side so 5+ X turnover minimum.

I am having issues in basement sump to get enough water to the tank, reason being the tank stays cloudy as too my surprise barely was getting 1X turnover and it was fine initially but the fish grew about 3-4times mass in 6months and eat and poop alot more. I should have gone 2" PVC all the way to the tank but going from 1.5" to 1" seaswirl to a 3/4" locline resulted in probably losing 2X turnover.

I know its a old thread but its a constant discussion. Ramping up and down is the best!