New to Sumps

[Fishgeek88]

What size is the display tank?

[locoyo386]

What size is the display tank?

120 gallon

[Fishgeek88]

I would personally look at dual drains so around 1000-1200gph running through the sump. If you already have the tank you can either drill the tank and get a kit overflow box or you can buy a HOB overflow like a CPR box. Personally i would stay away from U tube boxes at all possible

[locoyo386]

Ok lets say I go with the 1200 gph flowrate in the sump (only in the sump). Is there a way to figure out the sump size based on this flowrate? You would not run 1200 gph flowrate in a 10 gallon sump, right?

[Fishgeek88]

Ok lets say I go with the 1200 gph flowrate in the sump (only in the sump). Is there a way to figure out the sump size based on this flowrate? You would not run 1200 gph flowrate in a 10 gallon sump, right?

Well you could....but it would be a little ridiculous. Along with flow you have to consider the tank it is suppose to be filtering. I would say roughly a 30-40 gallon sump. If you could fit bigger personally I would go bigger. On a 120 a 50 Gallon breeder sump would look great

[locoyo386]

ok let me put it this way. If I want to optimise my sump's efficiency (say a 20 gallon tank), is there a way to figure out what maximum flowrate I can have in the sump (regarless or what size display tank is going to filter)?

[whitetiger61]

first off what is the size of your display tank...it is important..like fishgeek88 said the bigger the sump, the better..the size of the display will deterimine the minium size of your sump and the return pump that filters..

Rick

[Fishgeek88]

ok let me put it this way. If I want to optimise my sump's efficiency (say a 20 gallon tank), is there a way to figure out what maximum flowrate I can have in the sump (regarless or what size display tank is going to filter)?

Lets say a 20 gallon, I would say your looking at around 600-800 gph give or take a little bit. This is the backwards way of doing it though, you first want to have an idea of how much water should be draining and pumping through your display, and what your plans for the sump are, refugium, strictly skimmer etc because flow somewhat varies from different applications/size of equiptment, narrowing down from this your then able to decide what size sump you will need.