Water Pump... Anxiety Attack!

[85bb]

I'm new to saltwater aquariums in general... I'm working on building my 29g sump underneath my 72g which will one day be a reef tank I hope. I'm trying to figure out the difference in a return water pump and a protein skimmer pump. I just need to pump the water from the sump back up into the tank which is about a 4' distance for the water to travel. I have a Sicce PSK-1000 protein skimmer pump on the way (I got it dirt cheap from a friend) and want to know if that will work for what I need.:sad:

 

[dakotasreef]

It could work if the need be. They make really nice pumps. It will work, depending on the flow after head pressure.

 

[RBursek]

What is the flow rate GPH on that pump?

 

[85bb]

My understanding is that it will require me to make modifications in order for it to work with a protein skimmer, but I plan on it being a submersible return pump only. I'm glad to hear that Sicce makes good quality pumps... there are no reviews online for the PSK-1000 and that's why I have been skeptical up until now. Thanks.

 

[85bb]

The flow rate GPH is 661 (some places online say 880), max. head is 5.74 ft., and power is 29 watts (about half of what I've seen with similar products).

 

[luke33]

Is this the pump your talking about?

Sicce Professional Protein Skimmer Pump

Its a very quiet skimmer pump. Its what tunze uses on there skimmers but they rebrand it. The pinwheel will hurt you as far as head goes but for that size of tank i would imagine it would be just fine.

 

[stunreefer Verified Sponsor]

Skimmer pumps feed Protein Skimmers.

Return pumps push water from your sump to your display.

There are lots of pumps on the market that can be used for either.

 

[85bb]

Yes, that's the same pump. Is there a way to improve the head by modifying anything with the pinwheel design? Also, I understand how to test the GPH once everything is setup, but what would you say my recommended GPH should be for a 72g reef tank?

 

[luke33]

I would pry shoot for around 300-400gph flowthrough myself. General rule is pretty flimsy say 3-6x's your water volume.

I wouldnt try and mod it. You may be right around that gph with that pump.

 

[85bb]

Hey thanks so much for the help, especially to a brand new member (and first thread ever posted on any forum). Rock on reef masters!

 

[AZDesertRat]

Skimmer pumps have a needlewheel or pinwheel and will not handle head loss well. That pump says a max or 5.xx fet of head, thats shutoff or zero flow. It will probably not do what you need without the proper impeller. Its designed to whip water into a froth and lift it only slightly as in a skimmer.

 

[RBursek]

Pumps are designed for different things to do. With that 4ft of head and tank size you want about 700gph into the tank, I would save that pump for your skimmer, and get a return style pump that will give you aprox 700gph for the tank. I like Mag drive pumps myself.

 

[mojo]

I agree the pump has a pinwheel. Not the right wheel for a return pump. it will pump water but just will not be efficient in doing so. you may be able to just get a new wheel for it. I believe the Sicce syncra water pump parts are interchangable and you could get the magnet impeller assembly to change your psk 1000 into a water pump.

Mojo~