Ok so I have this 150g tank and stand in my living room. I bought it two months ago fixed the stand, made room for it by taking out some built in shelving and there it sits. Its 5' tall on the stand. I also have a series of plastic tubs ranging from 20g to 40g. I would like to use one of those to build a sump. I am going for simple, effective and low priced.
I kinda get the idea of a sump as I have been reading since the first of the year. What I am having a hard time with is what size/type of pump to buy. I cant seem to wrap my head around the math for it. I have read the charts ect and i have conflicting opinions from the LFS...which I know to not ever listen to them if I can help it so meh. I have had some people tell me a 750gph pump would work. On the other hand the LFS folks have said that isnt enough power. I have a feeling they were trying to upsell me though. I am also going to need some guidance on the size of pipe to use and maybe a few pointers on an overflow. I have a couple of basic ideas but nothing set in stone.
My one major obsticle is money. I need to do this right the first time without wasting money. That is why I havent jumped right in yet. I am overly thankful for any information anyone can help me with.
Also: My oscars are itching to get in this tank. They are around 5 inches and already starting to get a little fed up with their current set up.
Now for the initial embarassment of posting the plans I have drawn out so far.
1) I dont know if a strait shot up from the pump would be to hard on it or even work for that matter? Would it be better to make a few slight turns so its not a strait shot?
2) I have no clue what size pump or pipe to plumb it with.
3) the over flow will be behind the tank, I just cant draw it that way. I have the design I want figured out but I will need some help on calculations for size so it can keep up with whatever pump I get.
4) I am also thinking I might do a spray bar on the return pipe instead of just dumping the water right in. Would that change any of the calculations?
I kinda get the idea of a sump as I have been reading since the first of the year. What I am having a hard time with is what size/type of pump to buy. I cant seem to wrap my head around the math for it. I have read the charts ect and i have conflicting opinions from the LFS...which I know to not ever listen to them if I can help it so meh. I have had some people tell me a 750gph pump would work. On the other hand the LFS folks have said that isnt enough power. I have a feeling they were trying to upsell me though. I am also going to need some guidance on the size of pipe to use and maybe a few pointers on an overflow. I have a couple of basic ideas but nothing set in stone.
My one major obsticle is money. I need to do this right the first time without wasting money. That is why I havent jumped right in yet. I am overly thankful for any information anyone can help me with.
Also: My oscars are itching to get in this tank. They are around 5 inches and already starting to get a little fed up with their current set up.
Now for the initial embarassment of posting the plans I have drawn out so far.
1) I dont know if a strait shot up from the pump would be to hard on it or even work for that matter? Would it be better to make a few slight turns so its not a strait shot?
2) I have no clue what size pump or pipe to plumb it with.
3) the over flow will be behind the tank, I just cant draw it that way. I have the design I want figured out but I will need some help on calculations for size so it can keep up with whatever pump I get.
4) I am also thinking I might do a spray bar on the return pipe instead of just dumping the water right in. Would that change any of the calculations?