What size PUMP(S) do i need????

[wt*jayjay]

Im currently fixing up a 150g tank set up just picked up. I plan on finding a 55g tank to use as a sump and just got a Red Sea Berlin Skimmer off a buddy for a little of nothing! The skimmer is supposed to be rated up to 250gallons so I think ill be fine with only having a FOWLR tank, although my fish are messy eaters. So what size pump should I hook up to it??

Also Im going to need a fairly large external return pump as well! the tank has 2 holes in the bottom for a closed loop system too so i would love to use it too vs having power heads. So what im thinking is if I get am over sized pump i can make like a ''manifold" type thing and use it for the return on the main return as well as the closed loop.

Was looking at some of the bigger external pumps at Creation today (forgot the brand) but they are very nicely made and for the price they are worth it. I think the smallest one was about $250 and runs 3600gph. My only problem though is that I only have a single over flow in this tank so would it even be worth it to get a pump that large??

 

[mockery]

Pumps those sizes are good for closed loops or those pushing very high. Best bet would be some korallia's for tank flow.

 

[smoothie]

Mockery;495630 wrote: Pumps those sizes are good for closed loops or those pushing very high. Best bet would be some korallia's for tank flow.

Do both:thumbs:

 

[wt*jayjay]

Yeah id just rather not go with power heads just because I'd like to take advantage of the closed loop holes already being there in the bottom.

I guess since i only have a single over flow i could always drill two large holes in the top two corners that would be more than enough gph for the drain to keep up with the return you think?

 

[wt*jayjay]

Smoothie;495632 wrote: Do both:thumbs:

haha deal!

 

[smoothie]

Nah use a smaller pump for the return. Give the water ample time to get filtered.
Use the large pump for the loop only.

 

[mockery]

In a closed loop you don't use an overflow box. I you do then you run the risk of it pulling in air and then you get micro bubbles. The overflow box is to drain water to the sump. Your going to want to drill some holes into the bottom or sides I'd say 1-2in for the intake and 3 or 4 for 1in for the return.

 

[lilrobb]

If you use one pump for CL and return you're setting yourself up for a major flood!

Robb

 

[wt*jayjay]

hmmmmm no fun there.

so heres the deal.. the tank has a single overflow in the back center. ill use it for the sump drain and return only on its own pump.

the tank also has TWO holes drilled in the bottom center on each side of the tank. so ill use them for the closed loop returns. and i guess ill get TWO more holes drilled in the back wall of the tank for closed loop drains and run all that on there own pumps too.

i guess my main thing now is what size pump do i need with only a single 2'' drain over flow. right now on my 75 i have a single corner overflow and the return is a PCX-40 pump thats rated for 1100gph. the single overflow cant even start to keep up with it when its wide open either... so hmmm

 

[mockery]

Can I see some pics of where the holes are?

 

[wt*jayjay]

you can see the bulkheads in this pic

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[mockery]

Give me a little to think about want to do.

 

[smoothie]

Yep. You wouldn't need to drill the back unless you wanted to. Have the loop return coming over the back of the tank. Or completely backwards and have the inlets on the back and water returning from the bottom

 

[wt*jayjay]

yeah i did think of plumbing up the returns withe some 90* elbows and have the hang down just below the watter level.

i also thought about using the holes in the bottom as the drains but since ill have a sand bed didnt think it be the best idea