Pumps....ARGHHHHH

L

lovelyepona

Okay, I've asked someone before but I really need some help.
I'm trying to get a sump and refugium up. I can't understand these pumps.
So here is my question.
I've seen pumps say they push up a max of 17' blah blah blah.
I only need it to push up about 3 1/2' to 4ft.
(though I did find out the tank is about a 42 g not a 50g)
So I was told about 600 gph.
Does that mean 600gph at a 4ft rate? Or will a pump that runs 600gph at a 17' rate will work?
I really don't want to flood my house.
 
If the pump has a rating of 600 gph at 17' of head, it's most likely got MUCH more GPH at 4 foot...

Keep in mind though, height in head isn't just the vertical distance. The thickness of the plumbing can add to it, the number of curves in the plumbing adds to it. T intersections in the plumbing add to it, etc, etc, etc...
 
Alrighty then :shock: :shock: :? :?

So your saying if I could find a pump that was 600gph, I could get one 700gph and add a couple of loops? :p

No I'm teasing though I'm terrified about it running out of the thank faster than it runs in!
 
You can always use a "T" and run an additional pipe with a ball valve back to your skimmer section to adjust the flow rate back into your display. That way it wouldn't "out run" your overflow input into the sump.
-Chuck
 
Truthfully though, you don't "need" a pump that strong for your 42g. 3-5 times the tank volume is suffecient. I just switched out an external Blueline to an Ehiem. The Blueline was rated at 1100 gph at 0' while the Ehiem is rated at 560 gph at 0' I had the Blueline throttled down to about half to slow down the flow. The Ehiem is quieter and my tank temp has dropped about a degree to boot :wink: Don't overdrive your return. I would try to find something around 200-250 gph.
 
Bret makes a good point...

Were I setting up a tank the size you've described, I think this one would rank high in my list of possible candidates for a main system pump:

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=RB3113

(I have a Quiet One 6000 as my main return pump, and a Quiet One 4000 runs the 55g refuguim, chiller and 20g Anemone tank...)
 
OKay so I get one with a flow of about 250gph.
Thank you for the help! LOL I may be calling on ya'lls expert advice when it comes to the plumbing!
 
One more question. The overflow has a rate of 600gph, is there a way I can reduce that? Say a smaller line line coming out of the bulkhead?
 
Er... The overflow is rated for a flow OF UP TO 600 gph... It can go lower... (Although, if you go TOO low, it gathers air bubbles easier in the overflow tube, since there's not as much water velocity to flush them out)
 
So how low is too low of a flow?
Can I reduce the flow by reducing the pipe off the overflow, by using a smaller diameter pipe?

Okay I ordered a pump, 270gph.

Now another question, (this is when I really really need someone closer who understand how to plumb this stuff).

The stand is rather small, I want to get all of the equipment out of the tank. It will increase the volume of water.
I'm not sure how to plumb this, and the ten I got doesn't fit under the stand. So anyone got any ideas. Someone once said something about a plastic can. COuld I alter that to use as a sump and refugium?
 
This page should help you with the plumbing aspect a little. It isn't exactly what you are doing, but it should give you some ideas. Scroll down to see the plumbing section.

http://melevsreef.com/install_sump.html

What space do you have available? Let's see what we can come up with.
 
Oceanic 42 gal hexagon (25 x 22 x 23.5)
thats the tanks measurements. The stand 1/2 thick, but the opening for the doors is VERY small.
 
My first tank was a 42-gallon Oceanic Hex and when I added a sump, I cut the back panel out and slid the sump in from the back (much like the one in Marc's link). It hung out of the stand about 6" so I put a block of wood under the overhang for support (also put the same blocks on the inside due to the way the stand was built). It sounds heinous, I know, but since the tank was in a corner, you could not see the sump unless you peeked around back.

Lee
 
@lovelyepona wrote:
So how low is too low of a flow? Can I reduce the flow by reducing the pipe off the overflow said:
Actually, the larger the line the better (to a point obviusly). You could place a ball valve on the drain line and reduce the flow to where it is flowing nice and quiet. It will take some tuning as over time the line will slime over. The drain will actually work better with a little back pressure.
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