Right I have a 30 gal display and looking to add 10 gal sump. My tank has 2 X 1 inch bulkheads drilled in the rear glass at the top. Where do I go from here. I can ether use both bulkheads to drain or 1 in 1 out. And what size piping should I use for return and what sort of spec pump also. Thank Ian
Sump plumbing and pump.
- Thread starter rado87
- Start date
- Tagged users None
With that set up you'll only need one overflow and one return.
Go with the one 1" overflow, that'll give you up to 950gph, and you cut use the other for the return, down sizing to 3/4".
Using any number of pumps for your return, everyone has their favorites.
Eheim 1262
Rio20HF or Rio17HF
Mag Drive 9.5 or 1200
Quiet One Pro 4000
Go with the one 1" overflow, that'll give you up to 950gph, and you cut use the other for the return, down sizing to 3/4".
Using any number of pumps for your return, everyone has their favorites.
Eheim 1262
Rio20HF or Rio17HF
Mag Drive 9.5 or 1200
Quiet One Pro 4000
Yea, those pumps listed are pretty good on power.
heathd.hd
2500 Club Member
So your looking for a pump that will take between 200 - 300 gph from your sump up to the tank. But you need to consider the height of the plumbing from the sump to the top of your return. Head pressure. you could look into dc powered pumps also.
From the bottom of my sump to the top of the display tank is 1m
I think I am going to use both bulkheads as drains and the return will just be piped to come over the rim of the tank. That way I can have a emergency drain also. Also should I put a flow valve on the drain or just downsize the drain slightly and have a t after the return pump with a flow Valve to return to sump to control my flow. As I'm guessing if I used a 1 inch drain unrestricted then my turnover through the sump is going to be massive compared to what I need
I think I am going to use both bulkheads as drains and the return will just be piped to come over the rim of the tank. That way I can have a emergency drain also. Also should I put a flow valve on the drain or just downsize the drain slightly and have a t after the return pump with a flow Valve to return to sump to control my flow. As I'm guessing if I used a 1 inch drain unrestricted then my turnover through the sump is going to be massive compared to what I need
I plan to use one as a drain and one as a emergency will make small weirs around them so my emergency drain will be higher than the normal water level witch gives me a backup incase main blocks. But for my return I am going to just use a pipe over the top of the tank . Does a 20mm return sound about right if have a 25mm drain.
FishGuyTy
Active Member
To me, a 10 gal sump is pretty small, even for your size tank. I think you would be better off going with a 20 gal. You will have a very small amount of water to adjust the water level with in a 10 gal. I would also consider a return pump that delivered 300-500gph. Anything larger than that and you will be blowing stuff all over the place. Mag drives are great pumps, but lately I've been looking into the DC controllable pumps. The DC pumps are nice because you can adjust the speed of the pump to accommodate your tank's needs without having to restrict it. Restricting a pump's flow with valves leads to a hard working and hotter running pump which can cause overheating issues down the line. Good luck! Happy Reefing!
I can add a bigger sump at a later date it's just I got a 10gal given to me that's all ready got baffles. Will have a look into pumps after work this eve . Just want to get rid of the external filter and get a skimmer on the tank thanks for help so far 
much better advice that another forum I asked on . I was looking to run a t on the return line and then run one pipe up to return the to the tank and then on the other pipe off the t from the pump I would but a valve on so I'm not restricting flow from the pump just alowing me to adjust my flow that goes back into the sump if makes sense ?
much better advice that another forum I asked on . I was looking to run a t on the return line and then run one pipe up to return the to the tank and then on the other pipe off the t from the pump I would but a valve on so I'm not restricting flow from the pump just alowing me to adjust my flow that goes back into the sump if makes sense ?
heathd.hd
2500 Club Member
I know what your saying but honestly if you buy the right pump there should be no need for flow restrictions. Only thing it will do is damage your pump or get full of junk and back your drain up. Get a pump that will run 300 gph and let er flow.
Okay I got ya mate have just been offered a bare 80gal tank cheap (eh ein wave European 100) now so debating weather to sump my tank or get the 80 and do that one. I hate it when cheap stuff comes up haha.
have just been offered a bare 80gal tank cheap (eh ein wave European 100) now so debating weather to sump my tank or get the 80 and do that one. I hate it when cheap stuff comes up haha.
