Planning my sump...

So I just picked up a 20g acrylic sump from a buddy. I'm going to locate this in the basement. You can see what I have for equipt. in my sig. I am wondering what kind of pump I will need (and what size), and recommendations for an overflow box that would be appropriate. I will have an approx. 8' of head. I'm totally confused when it comes to gph and what would be good for my tank. I also have a 15g tank that I may tie into system and use as a refugium. Thx all!!

 

get ur self a nice return pump maybe external and pvc piping and map out ur plumbing

 

Sounds good...been staring at 9000 different pumps online...have no idea what I want/need.

 

Unless your strapping that 20L to the ceiling in the basement your going to have a lot more than 8' of head. I would go with an overflow box with a 1" drain (600 gph) and then figure out how far away the the the bottom of your new sump is going to be from the top of the display tank and find a pump that will push around 600 gph at that height.

~Will.

 

Lol...well I have 54" from floor to top of DT. I just figured approx 4' from the floor to the sump. Sounds like a plan...any brands to go 4 or ones to stay away from? External vs. internal?

 

well there the Iwaki Aquarium Water Pump the IK1145 would do the trick

 

so "in the basement" is where your display tank is? I'm confused. Do your self a favor and dont get an iwaki. I just replaced a 40rlxt with a mag 18 . . . they have the same power consumption, the mag moves WAY more water and is much quieter, AND my temps are down almost 2 degrees!!

~Will.

 

No the DT is in living room approx 54" from liv room floor to the top of DT. The sump will be in the basement. I just figured I would build a stand that put the height of the sump at a comfortable working level. I will check out the Mag pumps then. I also have an empty 15g tank that I may incorporate into the system. I'm not sure what to do with it though. A qt/hosp tank? Bigger refugium than the small one I was gonna put in sump? Frag tank?

 

Mags are nice but they do transfer heat into the water, you will be better off getting an external, look at the reeflos they are awsome! I would go as big as you can on the pump bro and use a ball valve to restrict flow, this way when you upgrade no need to spend extra cash on a new pump! Just my .02

 

Roger that...thx Phil! Hows that 55 doing? Guess I will use this 20g a buddy gave me. Just stinks that I will have to upgrade sump when I do go big with DT.