Stupid question about return pumps and gallons per hour.

[Leon Gorani]

So I found this tank for sale and it does not come with a return pump which is fine, I can get my own. But I have a really simple but stupid question. If I get a return pump that does 600gph then does the overflow rate in the tank overflow equal itself out so that it overflows the same amount of water per hour? You know what I mean?

 

[joseserrano]

It think it would be more helpful to you if you specify the tank size you are getting, what you intend to keep in the tank, and number of drains and returns (including size). This will give you more accurate recommendations

 

[Leon Gorani]

It think it would be more helpful to you if you specify the tank size you are getting, what you intend to keep in the tank, and number of drains and returns (including size). This will give you more accurate recommendations

Well I am looking at a 56 gallon tank. But what I meant was will any size return pump work? If I get a 600 gph return pump, will the display tank overflow over the glass if it is too much, or will the overflow in the display tank just overflow more water so that the display tank does not fill up and over flow the glass. Lol

 

[Biglew11]

The overflow will only drain as fast as you can pump water into the tank, up to a certain amount, then the tank over fills.

I'm not sure how to calculate how much your overflow can handle.

You also need to calculate how high you're pumping your water (head heights). And get a pump that's rated for that range.

 

[Leon Gorani]

The overflow will only drain as fast as you can pump water into the tank, up to a certain amount, then the tank over fills.

I'm not sure how to calculate how much your overflow can handle.

You also need to calculate how high you're pumping your water (head heights). And get a pump that's rated for that range.

Yes this is exactly what I meant in my original question. I need to figure that out. The tank I am looking at is 36x20x18. Here are some pics. I will ask the owner what size pump he used, I just wasn’t sure what was too much.

 

[Tired]

The water will attempt to overflow at the same rate as the pump, but if the slits are too small, may not be able to manage it. Water can only flow/fall so fast to fill an empty space. Keep in mind, the pump doesn't suck water in the overflow- it just pushes water out, and then more water falls into the space where the pumped water was.

 

[Biglew11]

That can probably handle about 750ish at the tank. This is the upper limit of what will flow out of the tank. As the post above said the pump doesn't remove the water from the tank it only puts water into the tank.
But you also have to calculate the vertical distance the pump had to push the water. The high the distance the lower the flow will be.

 

[mfinn]

Yes this is exactly what I meant in my original question. I need to figure that out. The tank I am looking at is 36x20x18. Here are some pics. I will ask the owner what size pump he used, I just wasn’t sure what was too much.

For a 56 gallon tank you really only need a pump that will give you 225 to 335 gallons per hour after head loss. ( 4x -6x tank volume).
Many pumps will show head loss in the advertizing.
Sicce Syncra pumps are one of my favorite ac pumps.

 

[Snoopy 67]

Any AC pump can use a valve in the output line to restrict flow back to the tank without harm to the pump if it is a little too big. A DC pump has the advantage of being adjustable for the flow rate but they do not like head pressure. Flow rate charts for a pump should be available.

 

[Thaxxx]

The tricky part is most companies exaggerate their GPH.
Plus you have to figure in 90° turns, length of hose, diameter of hose, and the list goes on.
It looks like you have a 1" drain with a 3/4" return. Pretty standard.
I would look for a pump with a advertised rate of 700-900 GPH.
A controllable DC pump would be a good choice.

 

[Leon Gorani]

The tricky part is most companies exaggerate their GPH.
Plus you have to figure in 90° turns, length of hose, diameter of hose, and the list goes on.
It looks like you have a 1" drain with a 3/4" return. Pretty standard.
I would look for a pump with a advertised rate of 700-900 GPH.
A controllable DC pump would be a good choice.

the owner of the tank said that he ran a pump with 1000 gph. He told me to get a dc controllable pump too. So if a pump is advertised as 900 or 1000 gph on the box that should be fine?

 

[Snoopy 67]

Varios line of DC pumps get good reviews

 

[Alchameth]

Yes, or even a little over if you are going DC and find a good price on something as you can dial it down some if needed.

 

[Thaxxx]

the owner of the tank said that he ran a pump with 1000 gph. He told me to get a dc controllable pump too. So if a pump is advertised as 900 or 1000 gph on the box that should be fine?

Perfect.