Looking for some advice. I'm in the process of upgrading and have some general questions before I start and have to redo a bunch of stuff or buy different equipment. The current plan is to have the new tank 125gal and the 40br plumbed together on a basement sump. So the question is how big of a sump/return section and best return pump ( don't have head pressure figured out yet but its roughly 8ft of vertical plus elbows/unions etc for each system)? I have some thoughts but obviously nothing set in stone. Was originally going to use a 55 and a remote 20L for a refugium bc I have them laying around. Also thought of using a stock tank for LR and the skimmer and a remote refugium as needed. I would also like to keep it simple so I can add/remove tanks equipment as needed and have a spare return. I do like the idea of a DC pump to adjust flow as needed. Suggestions/thoughts ?
Sump and return pump suggestions
- Thread starter Octane13
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The Aquatic Arsenal
2500 Club Member
I love the Reeflo line of pumps. The bigger ones will have no issues with whatever head pressure you will up with. These pumps have a good history with longevity as well. Your ideas sound pretty good as well.
As far as your sump question, I use one of those 100 gallon black rubbermaid troughs on my clownfish system. I use one of those bio bricks instead of live rock as well.
As far as your sump question, I use one of those 100 gallon black rubbermaid troughs on my clownfish system. I use one of those bio bricks instead of live rock as well.
I like reeflo also. With a sump the bigger the better. With a lot of piping, dont forget that water from the pipes and some from the tanks will drain back into the sump when the pumps are off
I am aware of the water left in the pipe, I do like check valves although I don't rely on mine to stop water from overflowing the sump. The bigger concern I have is with the return section running dry. With a designated chamber size matters, I have on occasion run my return very low during power outages and hickups. This makes my salinity swing bc the ATO takes up that room for the minute or so it takes to equalize.
Idoc
Getting lazier and lazier with upkeep!
I use a Varios6 DC pump and it's a workhorse... super quiet a well.
Doing some calculations and if i was only running the 40 or the 125 I would definitely do a DC pump but with both and unions/joints I'm ~18' of head @1.5" lines. So I don't think dc will take that kind of pressure without doing 2". Also puts me in the realm of Iwaki MD-100RLT or hammerhead. Maybe my calculations off which would be nice.
The Aquatic Arsenal
2500 Club Member
The hammerhead is an awesome pump. I am running that on my clownfish system that has 23 tanks and 3 tiers. I still ain't running the pump wide open. I believe that pump is rated to 52' of head pressure, so running 2" PVC would probably be a good option, but I don't think you will have to. I would just run the 1.5" PVC IMO.
