| Author |
 Topic Search  Topic Options
|
hydro phoenix 
Paid Member
Joined: June 04 2010
Location: Salt Lake City
Status: Offline
Points: 1724
|
 Post Options
 Thanks(0)
 Quote  Reply
 Topic: 1600 gallons
Posted: March 26 2013 at 9:21am |
|
I'm thinking about buying a return pump for my 55 gallon tank that is 1600 gph, but my husband thinks it's to much and I think it's just fine. What do you think?
|
|
recent absurdity..Unicorns have rabies
|
 |
BobC63
Admin Group
Joined: January 17 2007
Location: Lehi, UT
Status: Offline
Points: 8975
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 26 2013 at 9:41am |
I agree, I think it is too much.
One problem you may have is, can your overflow handle that much gph? If not, then you run the risk of emptying the sump too quickly on the bottom end, and overflowing the display tank on the top end if the overflow can't keep up with the pump's output...
Second is, IMO that is more than twice as much flow as you should be running; so you will be almost 'wasting' electricity as I'm sure the 1600 gph pump uses alot more of it than a pump rated at 500 - 700 gph would...
Third is heat. Bigger pumps put more heat in the water; using such a big pump may raise your temp too high - especially in the summer...
4th is your plumbing. Is it 1" ID or larger? Using a smaller diameter plumbing with a high output pump may result in excess backpressure, which stresses the pump's impeller and may shorten its lifespan...
|
|
- My Current Tank: 50g Starfire Cube Reef
* Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 *
|
|
Elite-Aquatics
Pet Store
Joined: March 21 2011
Location: North Ogden
Status: Offline
Points: 764
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 26 2013 at 9:46am |
|
I agree with bob, stick to a 500gph pump after head and you will be good. If its a standard overflow with 1" durso you shouldn't put more then 600gph through it or you run the risk of problems like mentioned above.
Edited by Elite-Aquatics - March 26 2013 at 9:46am
|
|
Premium aquarium filtration!
|
|
BobC63
Admin Group
Joined: January 17 2007
Location: Lehi, UT
Status: Offline
Points: 8975
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 26 2013 at 9:55am |
Yep.
500 - 600 gph return pump and 2 korallia #4s (or one mp40) and your all good for anything you'd want to put in a 55g system.
Save that extra pump $$$ to buy a decent skimmer. You'll be much better off in the long run.
|
|
- My Current Tank: 50g Starfire Cube Reef
* Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 *
|
|
hydro phoenix
Paid Member
Joined: June 04 2010
Location: Salt Lake City
Status: Offline
Points: 1724
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 26 2013 at 8:13pm |
|
there was a guy that offered to sell me a pond pump at 500 gph, I was unsure if that was the right amount of gph and I wasn't sure if it being a pond pump it would hold up in a sump. Thoughts?
|
|
recent absurdity..Unicorns have rabies
|
|
laynframe
Guest
Joined: May 17 2009
Location: north ogden
Status: Offline
Points: 1062
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 26 2013 at 8:42pm |
|
I'm assuming you have a sump and its probably about 20 gallons so total volume 75 gals?. So a pump doing 375 gph would be plenty, just make sure it does 375 at the correct head heighth you have.
|
|
The time we enjoy wasting isn't wasted time!!!!
|
|
hydro phoenix
Paid Member
Joined: June 04 2010
Location: Salt Lake City
Status: Offline
Points: 1724
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 26 2013 at 9:05pm |
what is head height? and does it being a pond pump matter in my sump? yes, my sump is 20 gallons btw.
also, do I add the sump water volume into the total tank volume? and choose a pump with that total water volume?
Edited by hydro phoenix - March 26 2013 at 9:20pm
|
|
recent absurdity..Unicorns have rabies
|
|
DMower
Guest
Joined: December 31 2012
Location: Kaysville
Status: Offline
Points: 1410
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 26 2013 at 9:28pm |
|
Head height is how high the pump has to pump against gravity. It will change the actual gph of the pump. Measure from where the pump outlet will be in the sump up to where the outlet is located in the display tank.
Then check the pump you want to buy and see if the gph at your specific head height is what you want. Your plumbing will also affect the gph into your tank.
The pond pumps I saw for sale on here should be ok, if those are the ones you are talking about. As I remember they had ceramic shafts, no metal parts to cause problems.
As an example off the top of my head, not real numbers:
Pump Rated at 600 gph. 0 head height
400 gph. 3 feet head height
200 gph. 5 feet head height
Edited by DMower - March 26 2013 at 9:47pm
|
|
150 gal reef with 50 gal sump. Reef Octopus DCS-200 Skimmer. AI Sol Blues.
|
|
hydro phoenix
Paid Member
Joined: June 04 2010
Location: Salt Lake City
Status: Offline
Points: 1724
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 26 2013 at 10:08pm |
|
I was looking at a pump that is 650 and with your directions as to regarding head height it will be 17". WHat do you think? I want a little bit more flow as my corals like it vigorous. So I'm thinking this combo is perfect.
|
|
recent absurdity..Unicorns have rabies
|
|
DMower
Guest
Joined: December 31 2012
Location: Kaysville
Status: Offline
Points: 1410
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 26 2013 at 10:12pm |
|
I think the head height measurement you posted is probably not right, seems too short.
Measure from the outlet drill hole on the tank down to the bottom of the sump, where the pump will be sitting. How tall is that?
|
|
150 gal reef with 50 gal sump. Reef Octopus DCS-200 Skimmer. AI Sol Blues.
|
|
DMower
Guest
Joined: December 31 2012
Location: Kaysville
Status: Offline
Points: 1410
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 26 2013 at 10:15pm |
|
A usual head height is 3-4 feet. The 650 rated pump would likely be around 450 gph at 3 feet, depending on tubing, etc. That would be in the range you are looking for.
|
|
150 gal reef with 50 gal sump. Reef Octopus DCS-200 Skimmer. AI Sol Blues.
|
|
laynframe
Guest
Joined: May 17 2009
Location: north ogden
Status: Offline
Points: 1062
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 26 2013 at 10:18pm |
|
I wouldnt use your main pump for circulation. Kinda think of it as a pump for the mechanicals of your tank. Use power heads for water movement in the tank.
|
|
The time we enjoy wasting isn't wasted time!!!!
|
|
hydro phoenix
Paid Member
Joined: June 04 2010
Location: Salt Lake City
Status: Offline
Points: 1724
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 26 2013 at 10:29pm |
DMower, it is 17". With the way the tank is situated I'm having a stand built behind it so I can access it the sump at a higher height. I'm having a hard time with my knees so it's easier to build a small stand right behind it so I can maintain it. Thanks laynframe for your advice about how to view the function of my pump 
|
|
recent absurdity..Unicorns have rabies
|
|
paulb
Guest
Joined: March 16 2003
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 65
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 26 2013 at 10:32pm |
|
I just added a 20 gallon sump / refugium to my 65. I paired a rio hf12 (rated at 630 gallons per hour at 4' head) with an eshoppes pf-800 rated at 800 gallons an hour. The overflow cannot keep up with the pump, I had to use a valve to reduce the flow. You were able to see how much water movement that created from that kessil video that I sent you. If I were to do it again I would scale back on pump and save a few bucks
|
|
DMower
Guest
Joined: December 31 2012
Location: Kaysville
Status: Offline
Points: 1410
|
Post Options
Thanks(1)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 26 2013 at 10:33pm |
That makes sense now. . You will have higher gph with a shorter head height, maybe around 550 gph as a guess. You may need to install a valve to slowdown that pump a little, maybe not, but a thought.
|
|
150 gal reef with 50 gal sump. Reef Octopus DCS-200 Skimmer. AI Sol Blues.
|
|
hydro phoenix
Paid Member
Joined: June 04 2010
Location: Salt Lake City
Status: Offline
Points: 1724
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 26 2013 at 10:49pm |
|
Hmmm....so is the 650 gallon return at 17" a good idea or bad? I do want a little more vigorous flow, I hated in my 29 bio that I'd get a big pump and such a little flow came out.
|
|
recent absurdity..Unicorns have rabies
|
|
HPballer76
Guest
Joined: January 12 2012
Location: West Valley
Status: Offline
Points: 482
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 26 2013 at 10:50pm |
|
At that head height the 500 gph pump I have will do a little over 400gph. The 1600 would have you at about 1300gph which would be a bit much unless you wanted to run a manifold and use it to power other things as well such as reactors, uv, or a fuge.
|
|
DMower
Guest
Joined: December 31 2012
Location: Kaysville
Status: Offline
Points: 1410
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 27 2013 at 10:19am |
|
I would do it if you have a good price on the pump. If not get a smaller gph pump to save a few dollars.
|
|
150 gal reef with 50 gal sump. Reef Octopus DCS-200 Skimmer. AI Sol Blues.
|
|
Will Spencer
Admin Group
Joined: September 04 2003
Location: West Jordan
Status: Offline
Points: 6799
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 27 2013 at 11:40am |
|
I don't see any info on what make and model of pond pump you are looking at, but if it is a Danner Mag Drive, get it. The difference between the Danner pond pumps and aquarium pumps is the length of the power cord. These are great pumps.
If it is a "sump" pump then be careful of those. They seem to use a lot more power than what we typically use in our tanks, especially the cheap ones.
If it is not a Danner, but looks similar to one, or like a Rio pump then you should be OK. There are many makes and models but most of them are great pumps.
|
|
HPballer76
Guest
Joined: January 12 2012
Location: West Valley
Status: Offline
Points: 482
|
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: March 27 2013 at 11:46am |
|
Not sure what the 650gph pump is but the 500gph and 1600gph are pumps I have and can be seen here
http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=62506&KW=&PID=514191&title=mag-pumps#514191
|
|
