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View Full Version : Return/Sump pump calculation


alanmorehead
11/12/2006, 07:42 PM
I am considering replacing the sump/return pump that I currently have. Can someone point me in the direction of a thread or formula for calculating how many gph I need.

System specs:
- 54g corner w/ a 10-15g sump
- 1" overflow drain to sump
- pump is 48" from the water level

Also, any recommendations on brand/model would be helpful. I would like to get a really quiet pump that is pretty much hassle free. I have read good things about the larger Eheim pumps (1260, 1262). Are the smaller models (1046, 1048) or compact models (1000, 1001, 1002) just as good?

sjm817
11/12/2006, 08:38 PM
I would not use a large pump on that setup. You cant put much flow through a small sump like that. Eheims are great pumps. A 1048 or a 1250 max would work well.

titan04
11/12/2006, 09:05 PM
I would only put about 100gph max through a 10gallon sump... you will have micro bubbles with that much flow though... or very possible anyway.

You want to aim for about 5x turn over in a small sump to minimize the flow and chance of microbubbles etc and give your sump time to work to pull out your nutrients etc.

Add a closed loop or extra stream pumps for your flow.