Recommended return pump GPH/turnover rate?

[Rpujol85]

What's the generall rule of thumb regarding pump GHP?

Planning on building a 40br with 20long sump, mixed reef.

I know one needs to account for head loss: verticle/horizontal runs, elbows, etc. But what kind of turnover rate is suggested in this type of application?

Not sure why but I was thinking 5-10x's volume, so between 300-600GHP, after accounting for head loss?

Thanks for the advice.

 

[Fatmike92]

Ya I would go for something around 600. im doing a 57 gallon and im running a sicce 3.5 which does 650 gph. so if 40 breeder I guess right around 450-600 would be good

 

[vamaro]

In the past I was running 1800 gallons through my sump on a 225 gallon tank. In an effort to reduce elect. costs I went to a smaller 1200 gph pump, I did not notice a difference in my water quality with the smaller pump. I do believe that having a lot of flow in the display is important. I am not convinced that you need a large amounts of water flow through the sump. Also, when selecting a return pump, buy something that is known to be dependable.

 

[Jlobes]

you generally want around 10x the sump volume per hour. so, a 20 gallon sump=200 gallons per hour. too much flow through the sump can have an adverse effect, as your dwell time will be shortened and water will flow through too fast to be processed.

 

[vamaro]

10x seems really high for a sump.

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

4-5 x through the sump

 

[Rpujol85]

Planning on running skimmer, fuge, return in that order. So I was thinking a little on the lower side for flow (4-5x's), not to cause a typhoon in the fuge. I'm planning on using an mp10 in the DT so between the two I should be good.

Any suggestions on make/model of pumps? Don't want to spend a fortune but would rather do it right the first time around. Was thinking a Sicce.

 

[Rpujol85]

Also, should return turnover be based off of sump volume or total system volume?

 

[Alabamareef]

A healthy tank water turn over rate to strive for is 6-10 times per hour. Many aquarists feel that more is better, especially for a reef tank system.

 

[toejam]

I went from a dart to a mag 9.5 to a sicce 3.5 on my 180.

 

[Alabamareef]

I have an Eheim 1262 on my 180 (pump is in cabinet unter the tank, 4 ft of head) with 2 MP 40s.

 

[marvelousone]

I use 400gph with 4ft piping. on my 40breeder. I will be changing it out to 600gph here soon. You need good flow specially if you have cheato.

 

[Mkeller088]

10x seems really high for a sump.

I think you’re confusing turnover with flow rate