Moving sump to basement...

[Chaz310]

Hello!
So excited to be able to post this question and hopefully get some help! I am going to move my 25gl sump to my basement. I know I have to plumb in all, but I have some questions on pump requirements or suggestions. I have a 150gl glass tank with 2 returns. I believe 1" returns. The basement to tank distance will be about 12'. What type of return pump will do the trick without breaking the bank? Also, my RO/DI system is housed in the basement too. When doing water changes will I be able to pump from my waiting saltwater mix up to the tank? I would need another pump I'm assuming? Thanks for any help!

 

[rayn]

You are going to want a high pressure pump like a panworld, iwaki, or possibly the ecotech one. Something with enough head pressure to move the water back up to the tank.

As far as water changes, you could just drain and fill right from your sump. No need to pump back to the DT. However, if you like to siphon your DT, you may need to keep track of water used and replace with that amount into your sump. I like to keep a tape line on my sump for proper water levels, for running and in case of power outage, then another where I can refill to in a water change.

Keep in mind your running level will change. 12' of pipe will hold a bunch of water that you aren't used to draining back.

 

[sevens_up77]

You are going to want a high pressure pump like a panworld, iwaki, or possibly the ecotech one. Something with enough head pressure to move the water back up to the tank.

As far as water changes, you could just drain and fill right from your sump. No need to pump back to the DT. However, if you like to siphon your DT, you may need to keep track of water used and replace with that amount into your sump. I like to keep a tape line on my sump for proper water levels, for running and in case of power outage, then another where I can refill to in a water change.

Keep in mind your running level will change. 12' of pipe will hold a bunch of water that you aren't used to draining back.

That's why gate valves are absolutely necessary to prevent back flow.

 

[rayn]

That's why gate valves are absolutely necessary to prevent back flow.

Do you mean check valves? Check valves aren't a fail safe I would trust against a flood.

 

[Chaz310]

That's why gate valves are absolutely necessary to prevent back flow.

You are going to want a high pressure pump like a panworld, iwaki, or possibly the ecotech one. Something with enough head pressure to move the water back up to the tank.

As far as water changes, you could just drain and fill right from your sump. No need to pump back to the DT. However, if you like to siphon your DT, you may need to keep track of water used and replace with that amount into your sump. I like to keep a tape line on my sump for proper water levels, for running and in case of power outage, then another where I can refill to in a water change.

Keep in mind your running level will change. 12' of pipe will hold a bunch of water that you aren't used to draining back.

Thanks for the info! I was actually looking at the iwaki. The one I was looking at said HP of 12'6". This was on the BRS site. So I'll have my normal level of water and mark that on sump. So I'm getting that the sump will have a much higher mark line for a time until water change water gets pumped back up to the DT. This will make things soon much easier with the ease of doing water changes more often! Tank should be much happier I hope! Thanks again!

 

[Chaz310]

Do you mean check valves? Check valves aren't a fail safe I would trust against a flood.

I will need to put something in place for sure, however IF something went wacky, it would go into the houses sump which will be relatively close to where the tank sump will be located. So thats a plus! On another note, I have the Digital Aquatics Reef Keeper for now as I want to eventually switch to the Neptune product, But I'm trying to wrap my head around how that is going to work as far as where to locate it. The only thing thats a challenge is my power heads. The ph, temp probes, ATO and heaters will be able to go into sump, but my power heads my be a problem? They plug into the RF strips to accommodate the wave maker. I guess I could connect an extension cord to each power head and cut another hole in the floor to connect to the RF power strips? We'll see.

 

[tgp4274]

hp t 12' meens that's what it will cut off at....
so a 1000 gph pump with a hp of 12' meens it'll do 1000 at 0' and 0 gph 12'

 

[NeptuneGarden]

you will need a much bigger pump that you are thinking. 12' of head height ? is that from the floor of the basement to the top of the tank ? I bets it more like 16' of physical height. Now add in 4-6' in friction loss and you have more like a 18-20' real head pressure to overcome. You will want to flow 800-1000gph at 20' head height. This is going to require something like a Manta Ray Dart. A Hammerhead might work.

Check around for what pumps others have used successfully.

 

[Chaz310]

you will need a much bigger pump that you are thinking. 12' of head height ? is that from the floor of the basement to the top of the tank ? I bets it more like 16' of physical height. Now add in 4-6' in friction loss and you have more like a 18-20' real head pressure to overcome. You will want to flow 800-1000gph at 20' head height. This is going to require something like a Manta Ray Dart. A Hammerhead might work.

Check around for what pumps others have used successfully.

Hmmm, good info. I wouldn't have taken that into consideration. Ill check around more. If I go with external pump, what would you recommend for the PVC end in the sump? Do they make some sort of screen cap end?

 

[Chaz310]

Hmmm, good info. I wouldn't have taken that into consideration. Ill check around more. If I go with external pump, what would you recommend for the PVC end in the sump? Do they make some sort of screen cap end?

Never mind, I just found them on BRS. Strainers or screens in different sizes or type like threaded or slip on.

 

[Slickrick]

I've done this exact same thing with about the exact head height to pump up!
1. I used pan world external puml for my 150g
2. I used Mag internal pump for my 90g
3. Use check/ball valves. Come in handy.
4. Make sure sump is big enough because hour 24 feet of hose is going to hold some Gallons!
5. When I did this tank management became much easier and fun.