Newbie 40B Build

[FLfishGuy]

Sorry if I missed a posting on this somewhere. I am brand new to the forum and the hobby. I have spent countless hours watching videos and reading forums for months and am getting ready to build something.

I just ordered a 40B from Petco since they have the 50% off going on now.

With it I ordered a 20 long for a sump since its also half off....please let me know if this is too big for the display.

Is there a pump someone can recommend? I see many recommendations for powerheads, media, lighting, etc. but not much on a pump.

I am going to drill the tank myself and try my hand at a full diy. I am pretty mechanically inclined and think I can handle it.

Consider me still in the womb in the reef tank world. Open to any and all advice and pointers as well as any common mistakes to avoid.

 

[danielankeny]

Went with a bigger sump. Mine is a bit cramped

 

[Snowxcross]

Ya, you cant go wrong with a large sump, just means that you have more room for filtration and you now increased your total water volume which is great. As for a pump, and it seems you want to save money where you can, go with a DC pump. Simplicity makes DC pumps and they're not super expensive. The best thing about a DC pump is you can control the flow. That's my 2 cents on it! Good luck!

 

[Crustaceon]

With it I ordered a 20 long for a sump since its also half off....please let me know if this is too big for the display.

There's no such thing as sump that's too big for a display. I actually dream of having a sump twice the size of my display and dedicating a portion of it as a frag system. And I've drilled at least fifty tanks. The key is creating a "dam" full of water around the cut (clay or one of those plastic glass cutting templates), having a VERY steady hand, placing almost no pressure on the bit, using medium drill speed and cleaning/removing the cut water every 10-20 seconds of cutting. I use a turkey baster for that part so I can avoid physically touching the cut area.

 

[FLfishGuy]

Ya, you cant go wrong with a large sump, just means that you have more room for filtration and you now increased your total water volume which is great. As for a pump, and it seems you want to save money where you can, go with a DC pump. Simplicity makes DC pumps and they're not super expensive. The best thing about a DC pump is you can control the flow. That's my 2 cents on it! Good luck!

Is there a recommended GPH rating or a chart to go by to size the pump correctly? Or is this mostly done by tuning the pump flow with either a DC or the flow dial on a AC? As well as adjusting the gate valve on the overflow?

 

[FLfishGuy]

Newbie learning curve....chart I'm looking for is located with the actual pump docs.....seems like a DUH moment

 

[reacclimating 2 the hobby]

Get the biggest pump that fits your budget. I always try to buy bigger and run at lower intensities for any piece of equipment. I feel like it extends the life. Personally like to turn over my tank a minimum of 10x's an hour. Closer to 20. I always had good luck with the jabao/jebao pumps. Budget friendly and never had an issue.

 

[Snowxcross]

Is there a recommended GPH rating or a chart to go by to size the pump correctly? Or is this mostly done by tuning the pump flow with either a DC or the flow dial on a AC? As well as adjusting the gate valve on the overflow?

Yep, exactly.. tune it with the DC controller. And yes, you'll adjust the gate valve as well.

 

[JCM]

Get the biggest pump that fits your budget. I always try to buy bigger and run at lower intensities for any piece of equipment. I feel like it extends the life. Personally like to turn over my tank a minimum of 10x's an hour. Closer to 20. I always had good luck with the jabao/jebao pumps. Budget friendly and never had an issue.

I think OP is asking about return pumps, not powerheads. You don't want 20x tank volume going through your sump per hour. 3x - 5x is sufficient, so for their setup 250 gph would be about right. I agree with tuning an adjustable DC pump to fit your needs.

Edit to clarify further, I said 250 gph but it's really not a critical rate. If it ends up being 180 gph or 360 gph it's perfectly fine.

 

[reacclimating 2 the hobby]

I think OP is asking about return pumps, not powerheads. You don't want 20x tank volume going through your sump per hour. 3x - 5x is sufficient, so for their setup 250 gph would be about right. I agree with tuning an adjustable DC pump to fit your needs.

Edit to clarify further, I said 250 gph but it's really not a critical rate. If it ends up being 180 gph or 360 gph it's perfectly fine.

I am also talking about return pumps. I believe it to be preference on tank turn over, but mine is 10-20. Either way, buying bigger and running at lower intensity is a better plan. Which is the basis of my reply.