Starting my sump

[Dimdim]

Planning on starting a sump fron scratch for my new 35 gal reef gonna use rubbermain totes ! One for main sump tank, and two others to to house my intake with filtersock and skimmer, which will overflow from slits cut around top, into the big main tote acting as a fuge and heater storage, then another identical container to the intakes for the return pump with the slits cuts slightly deeper into the return tote, will use eggcrate as a skimmer for the slits as i plan a shallow sandbed and cheato !

Im all ready to start building tomorrow or thursday, i just need to know how big of a pump to buy and size overflow build out of pvc, its going to be about 15 gallon main tote with max head from return pump to tank lip being 51 inches i do believe tank is 35 gallons ...can someone please help with calculations??

[TonyEnr]

Try the Rio pumps they come with flow adjusting fittings. A Rio 2100 or less would probably do your 35

[Dimdim]

So are you saying anything under 2100 would work?

[Dimdim]

I ordered a pump from ebay, for 26 bucks, 2000l/h i believe

[Dimdim]

My head is 4 1/2ft from pump to return sprayer, and my pump is moving 530 gph will it be enough return with a 3/4" pvc overflow?

[TonyEnr]

That amount of flow should be more than enough. Does the pump come with any like accessories? ...that's why I was recording the Rio pumps simply because they come with adjustment attachments and what not. Either way, if you do have to adjust the flow, home depot will have something that can fit onto the pump

[paulweck]

Do you know what the overflow is rated at? I think with the head lose you will need a bigger pump unless the overflow is rated for under 300 gph.

[Dimdim]

I could make a 1/2" pvc overflow? I dont quite get what you mean i believe my pump will be pumping max with head high just under 300 gph, i also have a 200 gph pump coming in from ebay i could throw in as well.. Ive made my own skimmer works like a charm, so no money spent there, does my intake into the sump have to flow less then my return pump?

[Dimdim]

Its still breaking in, and heres the layout of my sump,

[Dimdim]

I built my overflow here it is painted! Just need to install the valve line and bleeder sump is almost built, iv got the inlet and outlet holes cut thru the lid and my pvc return nozzle as well !

[Dimdim]

Okay heres a mock up test, im at about 250 gph total flow. I have barely any flow thru my sump any suggestions? Its more for live rock and cheato no equipment really

[Elykreefs97]

Personaly I wouldn't have went with half inch i think I loses syphen a lot I use a full inch. It gives you much mor flow rate. But half in will problobly work fine. You could also add another half inch that would keep up with the return pump

[Dimdim]

Its 3/4 intake and 1/2 return, could i use a bigger return pump and open the ball valve on the intake all the way? And use the smaller pump as a circulator for the refugijm? Im thinking use the 285 for the fuge and the 500 for the return?

[Elykreefs97]

U could keep it how you had it of its 3/4 I also Gould to get much better flow from the pump if you use PVC straight off of it no tubing. But that's only if it fits. But what do you mean you are using that pump in the refugium for cerculation right?

[Dimdim]

I have two pumps, a 280 gph and a 500 gph i need more flow in my refugium so i dont get cyano and bad stuff ect.. Im usingthe 280 to match the 3/4 drain though

[mr_X]

It doesn't matter if you get cyano in the sump. As long as it's not in the display, you are fine. All you have to worry about is standing water- no flow at all causing the water to stagnate.
That said, if something happens in the tank and that skimmer overflows, you are going to have quite a mess in your house.

[Dimdim]

What skimmer?

[mr_X]

The home-made one that drains into the container on the table.

[Dimdim]

Still dont know what u mean? I dont have a skimmer?

[Robert_ellis]

The 2100 doesn't have tons of power to make up for head loss. Try the 2500. Same body size but a little bigger motor inside. Remember with low flow you are more prone to algae where stronger flow will blow it off no problem. And no I didn't see a skimmer. A skimmer is the "tool" that makes air bubbles and creates a foam that removes bad things in the water.