return system sizing

[ivan705]

Hi folks,

I'm setting up my first tank and I was hoping for a little help with the circulation system.

I have a 55 gallon tank that I am running through an eshoppes eclipse Small. This overflow has a rating of ~600GPH vs a flow target of ~500GPH. This converts to about 2000L/h. My pump will be pushing ~1.2m from the return point on my tank.

I'll be going with a Jebao DCS pump, information for which can be found here https://coral-box.com/dca-pump.html . I've also copied the pump curve below.

Based on the curve I'll need the DCA-6000 (I believe the pink line would be a DCA-5000 which they apparently don't stock). Does this sound right to you? I was a little surprised at the discrepancy between the pump max flow rating and the flow that would be delivered from a standard below the tank sump... just looking for a bit of a peer check to make sure I'm not missing something.

cheers,
Ivan

 

[DrinkinPepsi]

I always prefer to go larger on the pump and use a valve to adjust flow myself. Id be buying the 6000.

 

[mdb_talon]

Looks àlooks like you are reading it right. Its a DC pump so no worry about going a little too big you can easily tune it doen to what you want.

 

[mfinn]

Looks àlooks like you are reading it right. Its a DC pump so no worry about going a little too big you can easily tune it doen to what you want

I was going to agree with the logic, but then I looked at the chart.
The chart says the max flow for the DCA-6000 is 6200 l/h. That's 1637 gallons per hour. It's going to be used on a overflow that's maxed out at 600 gph. Seems like way too much pump.
On a 55 gallon tank you don't need more than 300 gallons per hour, tops.

 

[mdb_talon]

I was going to agree with the logic, but then I looked at the chart.
The chart says the max flow for the DCA-6000 is 6200 l/h. That's 1637 gallons per hour. It's going to be used on a overflow that's maxed out at 600 gph. Seems like way too much pump.
On a 55 gallon tank you don't need more than 300 gallons per hour, tops.

The max number is not relevant. He indicated he has a 1.2m head height which puts the effective max at maybe half that. Factor in the range of that DC pump adjustment and he can easily tune down to what he needs.

 

[mfinn]

The max number is not relevant. He indicated he has a 1.2m head height which puts the effective max at maybe half that. Factor in the range of that DC pump adjustment and he can easily tune down to what he needs.

I don't use jeboa pumps ( but that's another issue) , but would still look at a smaller pump.

 

[mdb_talon]

I don't use jeboa pumps ( but that's another issue) , but would still look at a smaller pump.

Whether you overpay for pumps has no relation to the fact they are all impacted by head height.

 

[mfinn]

Whether you overpay for pumps has no relation to the fact they are all impacted by head height.

Never said anything in relation to head height.
All I said was I would use a smaller pump.


As far as over priced pumps vs reliable pumps there are lots of threads on that.
I just post what I would use.

 

[ivan705]

Thanks a lot for the input folks

 

[mdb_talon]

Never said anything in relation to head height.

Yes i know that was the problem . Saying the pump is too big because it is 1600gph without factoring in head height makes any evaluation irrelevant. Head height has to be factored in.

 

[theMeat]

Would go bigger. Jebao pumps, or any dc pumps i’v used suffer from gph loss related to head pressure over a few months time, a year tops.
It’s a dc pump, you could always start off dialed down and turn up as needed.
Would also shot for around 5x display tank volume through sump, unless you’re doing Triton method. But that’s another subject

 

[ivan705]

OK thanks again. I was sizing it for the 10x turnover rate but that could make the draw through the sump a little fast (it'll be ~30 gallon). I'll aim for a lower turnover rate (say 5x-7.5x) and I'll still have lots of room for pump performance losses and system friction. cheers!