determining your size...

HELLO everyone.

ive just bought my new tank.a rena.

basically im getting the holes drilled later on today for the sump.
one thing i dont know though is how do you determine the size of the return pump??

the main tank is 220uk litres(59 us gallons), and my sump is around 130uk litres (35us gallons).

do i have to add them both together and multiply by say 4 or 5x ??

any help appreciated as i have seen a couple of pumps at my lfs on clearance deals!!. many thanks.

 

One of these calculators might help?

3reef.com - Forums for coral reef aquariums, salt water fish, corals, inverts, protein skimmers, aquarium lighting and more - Calculators

 

That calculator is confusing. I would say you would want to purchase a pump that will turn the water over 10 times an hour thru the sump. Make sure to account for reduced flow due to tubing size and head height. I.E. don't go and buy a 940gph pump. Your also going to want a couple of power heads. Good luck!

 

It depends on what your purpose it. Some people use returns as another means of water circulation in the tank so they have a bigger return, others have a refugium in the sump, skimmer etc. so you would want to have a slower return of water to allow the refugium and skimmer to do its job properly. I would look for something in the range of 800-1000gph.

 

as it goes guitar man youve hit the nail on the head, its exactly that. basically i want a sump with all the gear in skimmer etc,with a fuge at the end,so yes indeed i guess i will have to slow the return down.nice.

going to lfs tomorrow at some point to look at some glass sheets etc because im going to start making my own sump. ive got the idea of what to do so im going to try it.lol.......

will follow the words of wisdom there, as i did suspect around 1000 gph pump.

many thanks;D

 

I always just used a ruler...

 

;d;d;d

me too, i found the mm side the easiest,lol

;d;d;d