1st sump

[Rich42082]

Just bought a 55 gallon tank off of CL and am starting a sump. Need a little help with pump and overflow. I bought a 600 GPH overflow and from what I understand I need a 500 GPH return pump. Is this correct? Also I read I can't use the sand off of my old sw tank. Is this true? The sump will have live rock in the 1st chamber, protein skimmer and heater in the second chamber, and plants or algae in the last chamber. Any ideas for my sump creation is greatly appreciated.

 

[carey]

I would go with a return pump thats more than your overflow, lot easier to throttle back with a ball valve than to not have enough flow.

As far as layout on the sump, I have mine with the skimmer first with the input section, then refugium then return compartment.