Return pump rule of thumb?

B

Baldguy

I searched the subject and came up with two different rules of thumb. One says to aim for 3-5x DT volume. Another says to match the return gph to the skimmer pump gph. Both make sense but in my case these two rules give me two very different numbers. My DT is 110g and my skimmer pump puts out 880gph. As I understand it, you get the most out of the skimmer if you come close to matching flow rates. So how much return do I need?
 
I don't understand the premise of either of those "rules". I just want water slowly circulating through the sump. I am not using the return for water movement in the tank - I have wave makers for that. And having the water circulate several times through my algae scrubber, or, as in your case, a skimmer, for every time it circulates through the sump does not bother me, unless it is affecting the performance of your skimmer for some reason. In fact, until I learn different, I like more flow in the sump than through the sump because I add supplements, and lime water to the sump, and I want the extra mixing action this creates before flowing into the tank.
 
I see what you're saying. I don't know what effect flow through the sump has on the performance of a skimmer. If flow through the sump is say half what the skimmer pump gph is then the water gets skimmed twice, right? That would be good. I think. Or do you want it matched. I don't know what the right answer is, or if there is one right answer. Any other opinions out there?
 
Keeping it slow moving through the system helps keep the setup quiet. For your 110g tank, I wouldn't go over a 1000gph max. Probably less. The skimmer will put out whatever it can, as it is on 24 hours a day.
 
I found quickly that the more toys you hang off your manifold the less the formulas work....thus why I'm replacing my main pump.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top