Sump return flow for 65 gallon

Sandnukka15 · 09/01/2015, 01:31 AM

Ive heard a good return flow for a sump is 3-5x the size tank..... would it be ok to do more? Say 6-9? Or will this prevent the skimmer in the sump from properly skimming .... i say this bc i bought a used sump for up to a 75 gallon tank .... my tank is a 65 but the return pump is a beauty 1800

Sandnukka15 · 09/01/2015, 01:38 AM

Which is 628gph

LuciDog · 09/01/2015, 02:23 AM

You won't get the full 628gph out of it anyways once you calculate total head loss...

Sandnukka15 · 09/01/2015, 10:10 AM

Yea I figured but it would still be around 550

ca1ore · 09/01/2015, 01:07 PM

Beyond absurd extremes, the amount of flow through the sump has no bearing on skimmer performance. If somebody tells you it does, ask them to explain in detail why

Assuming the overflow can handle it, going higher than 3-5x display has no real negatives (other than burning more electricity).

Sandnukka15 · 09/01/2015, 02:14 PM

Thanks for the help..... my overflow can handle up to 800gph so i think im in good shape

There is only 3 watts diff between this return pump and the one i was looking at aroumd 400 gph

nuxx · 09/01/2015, 03:47 PM

People are going to have different thoughts on flow rates through the sump.

Our big tank is running pretty slow through the sump while our frag tank is a little bit more aggressive.

No macro algae in the frag tank, so I'm pushing water faster through it.

09/01/2015, 01:31 AM	#1
Sandnukka15 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 152	Sump return flow for 65 gallon Ive heard a good return flow for a sump is 3-5x the size tank..... would it be ok to do more? Say 6-9? Or will this prevent the skimmer in the sump from properly skimming .... i say this bc i bought a used sump for up to a 75 gallon tank .... my tank is a 65 but the return pump is a beauty 1800

09/01/2015, 02:23 AM	#3
LuciDog Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 355	You won't get the full 628gph out of it anyways once you calculate total head loss... __________________ Current tank info: 30gal sumpless 120gal with 40gal sump 90gal freshwater - 2 angel, blood parrot, 3 mystery snails, pleco, and a school of rasbora's

09/01/2015, 01:07 PM	#5
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Beyond absurd extremes, the amount of flow through the sump has no bearing on skimmer performance. If somebody tells you it does, ask them to explain in detail why Assuming the overflow can handle it, going higher than 3-5x display has no real negatives (other than burning more electricity). __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

09/01/2015, 03:47 PM	#7
nuxx RC Sponsor Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 3,990	People are going to have different thoughts on flow rates through the sump. Our big tank is running pretty slow through the sump while our frag tank is a little bit more aggressive. No macro algae in the frag tank, so I'm pushing water faster through it. __________________ Peter TankStop - Fish and Coral 470G Display - Build Thread Current Tank Info: Retired - 470 Gallon Mixed Reef (120x29x31")

09/01/2015, 01:38 AM	#2
Sandnukka15 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 152	Which is 628gph

09/01/2015, 10:10 AM	#4
Sandnukka15 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 152	Yea I figured but it would still be around 550

09/01/2015, 02:14 PM	#6
Sandnukka15 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 152	Thanks for the help..... my overflow can handle up to 800gph so i think im in good shape There is only 3 watts diff between this return pump and the one i was looking at aroumd 400 gph