Pump Questions

[hoffmant]

I am just looking for your thoughts on my system setup, i think i might have overdone some of the pumps. I have a 180 tank with large sump that has about 30 gal in it, the rest on the sump is for power outage overflow. I have a dart pump for my return that is tuned back a bit but think it might be too much flow. I have never understood the drain calculations. I have 2- 11/2 overflows and 2- 1" return lines, the pump is under my tank so it only has to pump up about 4-5'. For flow in the tank i have another dart that runs 2 wavyseas (closed loop) and a wave box. Everything is running great and my euroreef rc-250 is skimming great but things can always run better right? What do you think.

[an411]

If the return is to strong if you can you can try to t the return back into the sump. I have that done on my tank to feed the fuge with some flow so the chaeto is not just sitting there collecting debris. the T can also help ease water changes

[hoffmant]

Thats a good idea but can you tell me what the drains will do in gph and what kind of turnover i am getting now and what i should have

[Klaus777]

A 1-1/2" drain pipe will handle a maximum 1200 gph so even if your return pump was full out (if it is rated for 2400gph@4'head) that only gives you 13-14 times turnover rate. The only issue I possibly see with that is if you are driving that through 2 - 1" returns is that there is too much intensity of flow from a single point. If you can, divide the return through another 1 or 2 lines. Or at least add flare nozzles to the two you already have to dampen the intensity. And for the CL the intensity matters just the same. I use a wavysea with 1100 gph running through it with two 3/4" nozzles centered on a 4' tank.

HTH

[Klaus777]

Additionally you should be able to have between 35-40 times turnover rate without blasting the tissue off of any corals. But enough to wave the polyps nicely.

[hoffmant]

So with 2-1 1/2 drains and 2- 1" returns using a dart pump and 4-5' of lift my turnover is in the sump is 13-14 times. Is this not way to much or is it ok?

[Klaus777]

It is hard to say exactly what your return flow is. What is the flow rate of the pump at that height? Can you tell us what the pump model is? that should help. I was just saying if you were utilizing the full overflow capacity, that is what it would be (not what it actually is).

[hoffmant]

The pump is a reeflo dart 3600 gph.

[Klaus777]

Are you using a refugium in the sump? If yes, how many gallons is the fuge itself? flow in the display sounds good.

[hoffmant]

The refugium is in the sump but it gets water from the overflow drain then drains into the main sump. If the amount of water going through the sump and into the display sounds ok than its all ok. I just thought i might have to much turnover in the sump thats all.