Plumbing external return pump

[jmesmcm]

What is the best way to plumb an external return pump into the sump?
I am thinking of getting a Velocity 4 pump which I will T off to create the return for a dual overflow 120 gallon oceanic reef ready tank.
Would it work to put a bulkhead in the upper portion of the sump with hose extending down into the water or should the bulkhead be below the water level in the sump?
I have never used an external pump and do not want to take a chance of it being noisy due to sucking air into the system.

 

[tony detroit]

Definitely make sure you connect it with couplers so that you can service it. Make sure you put ball valves on the sides of them too so that you can stop water and disconnect the pump if the seal goes bad or whatever.

 

[bigmac]

You want it on the bottom. Like Tony has mentioned you want to use ball valves and unions so you can service the pump. The thing to do is sit back and look the whole plumbing system, think about the foward flow and the back flow (siphon) You can never use too many ball valves and unions.

 

[jmesmcm]

Still trying to decide whether to go with internal or external pumps. hard to determine the best way in which to set up the tank when it is not in front of you to do so. At this point I am getting all the parts so when I get the tank I can quickly put it together.

 

[jmesmcm]

I think, I am leaning towards external and going with a velocity T4 that I will Y off to run the dual overflows with one side going through the chiller.

 

[dreeves]

One thing to consider in placing your bulkhead low into the water...if for some reason you either lose siphon from your overflow, or it becomes clogged or whatever could cause it to stop supplying water to the sump, the pump will continue to pump the water regardless of how overflowed and flooded your house may become...myself, I would much rather have to replace a burned out pump then my oak floors, and furniture...