About to buy pumps...

[Ryanrttu]

Tank info is drilled 75 gallon, 4 foot wide, will have a sump with 3 chambers. So I need two pumps correct? One to bring the water into the sump, then one to bring the water back into the display.

Like everything I want to buy quality, more than okay with spending more. What kind of pumps do I need?

[Donkeykong]

No, you need one pump to pump the water up to the tank. Gravity will pull the water down into the sump thru your overflow. I like the Tunze Silence return pumps and the Ehiem are also high quality, both are quiet and efficient which means they use less electricity and produce less heat.

[Ryanrttu]

So this one (http://www.marinedepot.com/Tunze_Silence_Electronic_Recirculation_Pump_1073.05_Adjustable_Flow_Aquarium_Powerheads-Tunze-TZ1741-FIPHAD-vi.html) will provide the proper flow back into the tank for my 75g? Is this a one size fits all type deal as in one pump fills the need for all tank sizes?

[gone fishin]

No it is not one size fits all. You must take into account how your are plumbed. How far from the pump to the return in the tank, how many 90's, valves etc... There is a pump calculator on the home page that is pretty helpful.

[pmrossetti]

You only need 300-500g after head loss thru your sump.
Is your drain hole 1"? Is there a Durso?

[Ryanrttu]

Im going to use a Herbie drain set up as basically thats everything ive read says to do. I would be able to do that right? All that is is a certain kind of plumbing correct? Both holes are the average 1" holes drilled in the glass by Aqueon.

[pmcadams]

I use to have that sump... Is yours drilled for an external pump or are you dropping a submersible in the return section ? Obviously that makes a diff in your pump selection.

I have never owned a Tunze, but they have a great reputation. Assuming submersible, you might also look at either a Sicce Syncra Silent 5.0 (1321gph) or a Sicce Syncra Silent 4.0 (951gph). Those pumps I know, they are also very quiet, adjustable, and reliable.

Which pump you choose is also determined on whether your system is close loop or not (powerheads or no powerheads). If you are not using powerheads, then you need the stronger pump for display tank circulation, otherwise, not so much. (I know you said fowlr, but still want to avoid dead spots)

I had a very nice 75 gal reef tank many years back that had a Mag5 (500 gph) return pump.... so pmrossetti is correct, you don't really need to be pushing 1k gph for a successful tank.

[Donkeykong]

Which pump you choose is also determined on whether your system is close loop or not (powerheads or no powerheads). If you are not using powerheads, then you need the stronger pump for display tank circulation, otherwise, not so much.

That is not the best description of a closed loop system. A closed loop system can replace needing powerheads in the tank, but that would not effect the size of pump needed for returning water from the sump. A drain and return pump would be a separate thing than a closed loop. As for the size of pump needed, there is debate on high flow thru the sump or low flow. I personally like to aim for 3-5 times the display, not a hard fast rule just a window I like to be in. Also as some one said above, you also have to take into account head loss and plumbing restrictions. So if you get a pump rated for 700gph, you may only be getting around 450gph to the tank.

[Ryanrttu]

I am not doing a closed loop system & I will have (2) powerheads. And do you not have an option of how much return you want on your pump or is it just one return speed?

[Zer0.]

I'm also in the process of gearing up for my first tank with sump, I've heard alot of people say the new DC (direct current) pumps are nice. Their flow can be adjusted electronically via a controller and are supposed to be more energy efficient. I was looking at the Jebao DC-6000 for a submersible pump on a slightly larger tank (120gal). Again as I said I'm pretty new to all this so maybe someone with more experience could chime in on this.

[pmrossetti]

Some pumps have adjustable flow, some do not. Tunze does, maybe Sicce.
You can adjust any pumps flow by placing a ball valve above the output.

DC pumps are adjustable

[Zer0.]

Some pumps have adjustable flow, some do not. Tunze does, maybe Sicce.
You can adjust any pumps flow by placing a ball valve above the output.

DC pumps are adjustable

Yeah i plan on feeding the refugium (3rd compartment) by way of a ball valve T'ed off from the return line so i could have low flow thru fuge and higher flow thru first two chambers of sump. however you could always just T' off back to the return section as a way to just control return flow speed. This way you aren't putting extra strain on the pump by suppressing its flow. of course this is unnecessary if you get an adjustable pump. the one i was looking at has 6 speed settings on a controller. I believe DC pumps are usually more quite than AC pumps as well which would make sense given they use less energy.