Quote:
Originally Posted by
xandrew245x http:///t/390342/starting-my-first-20-gal-long-sump-refuge#post_3456059
That pump will be able to push 4 feet of height, but you will only be moving about 350 gph. If you want more flow then that, I would go with a bigger pump. I have a 75 gallon setup with a sump underneath, its about a 4-5' push, I have a 950 gph pump, and it creates a lot of flow. I think though, you would be fine with that, as long as you used plenty of powerheads to keep the flow going in your tank. Remember you want 20X turnover of flow in your tank!
Rio pumps are not very good for return pumps. Rio pumps have a tendency to loose polarity really easily and end up not spinning the impeller. The pump will turn on, but it won't push water. Rio pumps are notorious for this.
Please consider getting a Mag Drive 5 for your size tank. It's small, reliable and will get the job done.
The answer also depends on the max flow of your overflow box. External overflow boxes should have close to the max amount of flow being pushed through it for the overflow box to never loose siphon. Internal overflow box return rates depend on how much the internal overflow can drain, with no minimum. Unlike external overflow boxes.
You do want 20x turnover in the tank, but not through your sump. 5x - 10x is fine going through the sump. But, your aquarium should have a minimum of 20x the volume of your tank in turnover by internal powerheads. (75g aquarium should have minimum 1500gph internal flow = 20x turnover)
