Return pump size for sump

[justin podolan]

My brother just got 180 gallon and we want to build a sump from a 55 gallon. How much flow can we run the tank is drilled?
We also want the sump to house micro algae. Thank you.

 

[wattsupdoc]

What size and how many drains does it have?

 

[robertmathern]

We will need to know the size of the drains. A 55 gal sump should work good. Just make a compartment for a fuge to hold microalge and pods. I made baffles in my sump out of wallmart cutting boards and it works good.

 

[justin podolan]

It has two 1 in. drains . I have some left over plex glass from building my sump. So is 1200 to 1400 gph to much? It will also be a reef tank.. Thanks for the help.

 

[bmkj02]

You might have to add some valves on the drains to adjust it. I have 2 1-1/2 drains coming out of my 125g but I am running a Viaaqua 8000 which pushes 2000 gph and I still had to close the valves a little on the drains

 

[justin podolan]

You had to add valves on the drains because it was draining to fast? And how many returns do you have and are they 1 in.

 

[bang guy]

Originally Posted by Justin Podolan
http:///forum/post/2834165
It has two 1 in. drains . I have some left over plex glass from building my sump. So is 1200 to 1400 gph to much? It will also be a reef tank.. Thanks for the help.
It's not too much but I'm not sure you need more than 1000gph running through your sump. For waterflow inside the tank powerheads or a closed loop is much much more efficient.

 

[robertmathern]

I agree with bang guy on that. 1000 gph is all you need. What gph is your skimmer? Is it in the sump?

 

[robertmathern]

I would look into a mag 12 for the return pump. After head you will be around 900 gph. Give or take a little

 

[justin podolan]

Thank you guys ill look into that pump.