Which Return Pump

[Harris3005]

Hi everyone, I'm trying to work out what size Return Pump I'll need for my new system. It's a 6 ft by 20" by 20" display with a 50 inch sump. The display is drilled with two holes for the overflow on the bottom of the tank. Total water volume will be about 170g if my calculations for correct. I'm struggling getting my head round the plumbing side of things as this is the first time I've had a sump!

Would a Jebao DC4000 be suitable or would I need more flow than that.

I will be using two TMC Reef Flow 20,000 lph controllable powerheads in the tank for flow.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Zachhll]

@Harris3005 It depends most on the actual plumbing without seeing a diagram or picture of how your pluming is routed its hard to judge. What size pipe are you using? Is it only running a return or do you want to run other stuff off it too like reactors, UV Filter, Fuge?

 

[Harris3005]

Here's a pic of the sump as it currently stands. The return just goes straight back into the tank via flexible tubing.

 

[Zachhll]

What is the distance vertically to where it is let into the tank from the pump?

 

[Harris3005]

About 4 feet 4 inches.

 

[Zachhll]

With that much head you will be pretty low on the flow for that water volume. I would recommend the DC6000. With that much head you would be looking at about 925GPH on the DC6000.

 

[mfinn]

I would go with a pump that gives you between 600 gph and 700 gph for a 125 gallon tank, or about 5x tank volume turn over.
It also depends on what size the drain line is.

 

[Harris3005]

Thanks very much for the replies guys!

So anything between 600gph and 925gph after taking the head height into consideration is good then going by both of your posts?

The middle section is quite big so I was thing of having a good size refugium in there, is that possible? And if so am I better having more or less flow through it?

Sorry about all the questions!

 

[Liquid360]

I chose my return pump because I was buying into an ecosystem, currently a popular "thing", matching components for the purpose of Managment. Just something to consider [emoji4]

 

[Harris3005]

I chose my return pump because I was buying into an ecosystem, currently a popular "thing", matching components for the purpose of Managment. Just something to consider [emoji4]

I'm not sure I understand? Do you mean buying the same brand as your other equipment so you can control them easier?

 

[Liquid360]

I'm not sure I understand? Do you mean buying the same brand as your other equipment so you can control them easier?

Exactly.

I'm an Apple guy. If they made pumps I'd buy those to [emoji6]

 

[Harris3005]

Exactly.

I'm an Apple guy. If they made pumps I'd buy those to [emoji6]

I hope to do this eventually, buying the more expensive stuff as I go. I'm coming close to the end of my budget for this tank though so at the moment the Jebao will have to do me.

 

[Zachhll]

Thanks very much for the replies guys!

So anything between 600gph and 925gph after taking the head height into consideration is good then going by both of your posts?

The middle section is quite big so I was thing of having a good size refugium in there, is that possible? And if so am I better having more or less flow through it?

Sorry about all the questions!

If your going for a fuge the lower flow rate would be better. As for the matching brands thats a personal choice. I would just recommend something true and tested. I personally have a Tunze DC pump right now been running strong for 3 or 4 years now. I will replace it when The new Apex COR pump when it comes out though.

 

[Liquid360]

I previously needed a new return pump. I have been very happy with my MP40/MP10 so I figured I'd try the Vectra and I've loved this pump. For lighting I have a Kessil and a MH pendant, but if/when I require new lighting I'll likely go with an ecotech product as well.

Ps. Ironically, I just purchased a new skimmer a couple weeks ago. It wasn't until after I already purchased it that I learned that Ecotech had their hands in NYOS.

 

[mfinn]

Thanks very much for the replies guys!

So anything between 600gph and 925gph after taking the head height into consideration is good then going by both of your posts?

The middle section is quite big so I was thing of having a good size refugium in there, is that possible? And if so am I better having more or less flow through it?

Sorry about all the questions!

Ask as many questions as you need.

I use the 5x times tank volume figure on my 233 and have a fairly large refugium in the middle chamber of my sump. ( skimmer in the first with the drain from the tank, and return pump section on the far end.)
I also use a small powerhead in the refugium to provide extra flow for the macro algae.

 

[Harris3005]

Ask as many questions as you need.

I use the 5x times tank volume figure on my 233 and have a fairly large refugium in the middle chamber of my sump. ( skimmer in the first with the drain from the tank, and return pump section on the far end.)
I also use a small powerhead in the refugium to provide extra flow for the macro algae.

That's exactly the set up in hoping to do with this sump so that's great! Do you think I'd get away with the 4000 lph Jebao? I'm not sure how I calculate the loss at the head?

 

[Zachhll]

I was unable to find a flow chart for 4000 so I'm not sure what the head loss is in that one

 

[Harris3005]

I was unable to find a flow chart for 4000 so I'm not sure what the head loss is in that one

Thanks very much for looking!

 

[Harris3005]

Now that I think about it i might just go for the 6000, I could always turn it down if I felt there was too much flow through the sump?

 

[mfinn]

That's exactly the set up in hoping to do with this sump so that's great! Do you think I'd get away with the 4000 lph Jebao? I'm not sure how I calculate the loss at the head?

Not a jeboa fan. I would rather use something more dependable.
Like Tunze or Sicce.
I also really like my Vectra M1, but it's a little more than most want to pay.