What kind of external pump needed?

Hi Everyone,

I have a 45 gallon acrylic tank and i am at the beginning stages of a mini-reef. I am looking to put a sump in the cabinet but I am having trouble figuring out which pump to purchase. External or submersible? I prefer to go with an external. Also, how many gallons per hour? 400-500gph? Also what is an affordable yet dependable brand? A guy offered me $80 for his pump but I prefer to buy new.

I am thinking of drilling and putting in two 1/4 inch bulkheads or should i do something else?

Any advice would be super appreciated.

Thanks!

 

Not sure what you mean about drilling two 1.1/4 bulkheads ?? Unless you are talking out for drains to the sump ? Not a good idea as you Will not get good top surface skimming like that.. You need to install a internal overflow box be it a 2 sided corner type ot a 3 sided center of tank type both of these are vertically installed wall types or the horizontally mounted type that runs across the entire back wall of the tank just under the top rim then 2 1.inch bulk heads would do with the vertical wall types just one 1in bulkhead is all you'd need. As for a pump I'd look at the little giant Little Giant 2-MDQ-SC that would do you just fine or if you wanted to also power the skimmer with the same pump ? Look at the Little Giant Little Giant 2-MDQX-SC pump..

 

Here is a good site to help you with pump selection.



Welcome to the Reefs.org Pump Selection Guide

 

What type of reef do you plan on having????? Most sps like a tank with a high flow... make sure ur tank has a volume turnover rate of at LEAST 10x so at a minimum 400-500