sump pump help

[kpk]

on a sump pump can the water be pumped or does it have to run slowly and do the bioballs have to be above water level

 

[smokinstarfish]

Doing about four-times your tank volume per hour over your bio balls is good. More isn't a problem. And yes, the sump pump can pump away.
Bio balls work better in wet/dry situations because the bacteria flourish like nothing else when there's all that extra oxygen. Too high of water flow may inhibit this action, but I doubt your pump's that powerful.

 

[kpk]

well i buit a 20 gal sump/ref and i am putting a 740 gph pump on it because i am running two lines back to my tank i am thinking i will have to put that much back in the sump while it is pumping it out at the same time right or am i just confused, so the bioballs need to be outta the water (would it be better) i can make it how i want it

 

[smokinstarfish]

Your pump is too powerful for a 55-gallon IMHO, especially if you have a bio ball wet/dry. That's about 14-times the tank's volume per hour. My 55-gallon actually does 7 times.
The bio balls, yes, should stay out of the water, but never dry. That's why it's called wet/dry. They stay dry because they are kept elevated somehow over the sump, so water just drains through the bio balls and into the sump where it collects there.
And yes, you'll have to make sure as much water leaves the tank as it enters from the return sump pump. A capable overflow is necessary for this.

 

[kpk]

i built the 20 gallon sump for my new 110 gallon tank and the max head on the 740gph pump is 7ft but i have 8ft of pipe so would that work ok i have a good overflow box

 

[daniel411]

Originally posted by kpk
i built the 20 gallon sump for my new 110 gallon tank and the max head on the 740gph pump is 7ft but i have 8ft of pipe so would that work ok i have a good overflow box
Head pressure is like "verticle height". Are you sure you have that much verticle height, or 90 degree angles?

 

[kpk]

some is right angles