sump question

[jay917]

I have a 55 gallon tank and planning to have a 20-30 gallon sump. I have a built in over flow in my tank. What i want to do is to have a pipe going to the sump and have the pump connect to one tube. From that one tube i want to split into 2 drains goin back into the tank. What pump do i need? In other words how many gallons per hour pump should i get?

 

[maxamillion]

you need to determine the 'head' - the height that the water needs to travel upwards... also taking into account any turns in the pipes.

Well once all that is done you will want to find a pump that can cycle the water in your take about 10x per hour if not more (preferably more, especially if you have corals)

 

[revhtree]

Mag 7 or Mag 9...

Look on ebay. Saw the mag 7 for $49 plus $5 shipping. The mag 9 was like $7 more.

 

[Brisc0]

I have a 48" tank and I use a 36" long 30G under it and it works really well. Here is a link for reference, I have similar to what your looking for, the far left is the overflow/equipment area and the return pump is at the right.
http://www.aquariumadvice.com/download.php?id=13037

Your head height is likely around 5 feet with two elbows, at 5 feet plus one for each 90 degree by two lines your looking at 14 feet of head (if that is close to your conditions. The only return pumps I have used are Mag Drive pumps, but to turn your volume all I could recommed would be a mag36, but thats a beast of a pump, you may be able to do better if you look around at different pumps head charts.

 

[revhtree]

Whoops... Did'nt notice the split to 2 returns. I think a mag 12 would do the job...