Hey folks I have decided to have a 40 breeder as my display tank and 20 gallon or so sump. How much flow through the sump do I need for a reef tank with corals. I am going to use a glass holes overflow kit and looks to me like i need to match the flow to the skimmers capacity. The simplicity aquatic 120 skimmer has some good reviews but so far have not found out its flow rate. Any advice is appreciated.
general rule is 3 to 6 times display tank volume. So you would want a return pump of 120gph to 240gph. Some pumps of course will be listed in liters per hrs so roughly 900lph on top end and 450lph on low end.
That skimmer model also sounds appropriate for tank. I personally use Skimz SN163 and love it. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/skimz...yUsVE7cgU94b7QfzEdRRvIf-6DaFNSki7UaAojo8P8HAQ
This is the return pump that I'd recommend. I have Quiet One pump that I have used as my return since 2009. Pretty quiet even though it's not dc. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/quiet-one-pro-series-3000-317-gph-lifegard.html
Thanks for the advice, I noticed the pump looks like you use tubing for your return line, I was thinking you used pvc pipe, I really dont know anything about the mechanics of plumbing for a tank.
You can use either. The advantage of the flexible tubing is it's often more quiet and easier to do for people without plumbing skills. Hard plumbed is a little more difficult but if you use some unions it's easier to take apart for cleaning/moving. It also won't grow algae like clear tubing will. This pump is another one that has a great reputation. I have one (different size) I've used as a transfer pump for 4 years. I also a much larger one I used for my return pump for 2 1/2 years without incident. They are very quiet. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/sicce-syncra-silent-1-0-pump-251-gph.html
Yep that makes sense but if you use pvc how do you take it apart for cleaning ?? So if your going to use pvc pipe you would just unscrew the tubing adapter on the top and use a pvc coupling???
You include one or more of these in your plumbing. http://www.homedepot.com/p/Homewerks-Worldwide-3-4-in-PVC-Slip-x-Slip-Union-511-14-34-34H/204202877
I have a Quiet One on 2 of my tanks. My frag tank has the http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/quiet-one-pro-4000-1022-gph-lifegard.html . My 125 has the http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/quiet-one-pro-6000-1876-gph-lifegard.html . They are cheap and work great. Personally I would buy a bigger one than Jason mentioned because you will lose some flow with the increase of height. Additionally, some of the models can be turned down or up on the front. That gives you more versatility. Honestly though I don't think you can have too much water turn over unless you are pumping water up faster than you can drain it back down.
This is the overflow I have ordered http://glass-holes.com/700-With-an-Emergency-Drain-Complete-Kit-GH700EMERKIT.htm
