Sump To Tank Ratio/Return Pump?

[Wuzzo]

So I'm thinking about getting a new tank. I don't know what return pump/sump I would want. Could somebody give me an example of a ratio for both? Thanks!

 

[mtraylor]

I dont think there is a rule of thumb or ratio that people try to use. The easiest way to explain is "Bigger is Better". Try to get as big as sump as you can. Increase water volume and filtration.
TBO, you will need to post more about your setup to get some recommendations. Size tank, dimensions, stand options and if you are putting sump under tank or in another area etc.

I

 

[WVNed]

The easy answer
I run a 75 with a 20 for a sump and 500 gph (~6x) return
Mine is very simple, just a skimmer and a return section.

The harder answer. You have to size you sump to handle drain back when the power goes off or you do maintenance. Also if you want to run other things like reactors or a refugium you have to allow for that too. The return section has to be sized so your ATO works correctly.
I use 6x DT size to determine my return pump size based on what it is rated at for 3 feet of head.
In my case that worked out to be a Sicce 3.0.
But if you want a manifold also to do other stuff like drive reactors it will have to be bigger.

 

[Wuzzo]

Would I need a sump for a 20/30 gallon tank?

 

[ca1ore]

I’ve always gone for a sump that’s nominally 1/3 the size of the display, and then somewhere around 4x for turnover. That generally handles back flow. Then it’s just a matter of what you want in the sump.

 

[KrisReef]

Would I need a sump for a 20/30 gallon tank?

The sump is where people hide equipment (skimmer , heaters, reactors , etc) so there is more room in the DT and it looks less cluttered.

There is no reason your sump cannot be larger in volume than the DT, but the purpose of the sump is a place to treat the water in the system.

You have to determine what you need. A smaller tank can be maintained with frequent water changes in place of equipment, in theory!

 

[Wuzzo]

I have a question about the tank. The dimensions for the space i have are 25 L x 18.5 W x 13 H. Does anybody have a recommendation for a tank to go there?

 

[Wuzzo]

Bump

 

[legionofdoon]

I've ran a 75 with a 20 sump with good results. Currently I'm running a 40 breeder with a 40 breeder sump with the majority of the sump devoted to chaeto. It's a relatively new tank started off with dead rock and bare bottom. I've done no water changes but I have had to add salt water to it on occasion and my parameters are good enough for me. Get the biggest sump you can, like others have stated, you can hide your equipment and it increases your total water volume. FWIW I'm running probably 1500 GPH through mine.

 

[legionofdoon]

Would I need a sump for a 20/30 gallon tank?

Not necessary but it will make life easier.

 

[Reefrats]

I was wondering the same. I was looking at the Red Sea S-400 which has a 13 gallon sump. Then I looked at the water box 100.3 and 130.4 and they both have a 25.5 gallon sump. I want SPS corals and now am thinking the sump on the S-400 is too small. I don’t want to be doing too many water changes.