Wondering if anyone has a good recommendation for an A/C variable speed pump to be used for a sump pump return. Can be external or submersible.
I say AC (over DC) because of head pressure. I have about 12' of head, and don't know how much flow will work within my system.
Starting with a couple data points from the forums:
Reefers here seem to recommend 3x - 5x total volume through the sump.
400DT + 20 (operating level of 40 gallon protein skimmer / dosing Sump 1) + 95 (operating level of 125 gallon refugium) = 1545 - 2575 gph / 25-43gpm
Tank is a 72" tall x 43" x 44" tank.
That means approximately 5.7 gallons per inch of DT volume.
5.7 gallons / inch x 2" = 11.4 gallons
@ 25gpm = Top 2" of the tank being turned over the overflow ever 30 seconds
@ 43gpm = Top 2" of the tank being turned over the overflow ever 16 seconds
That might be way too much, but I have no frame of reference. Plus feedings likely necessitate dialing back the flow.
What do you think I should consider for the primary sump pump return?
I have an MRC-MP 6100 which is 74gpm @ 12' head, which seems like way too much
I have a ReefOctopus Varios10 (DC pump) which is about 33gpm at 100% speed
One line drawing of the setup. Also keep in mind, the sump is secondary to a closed loop bead filter.
Photo of tank from top down:
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.postimg.cc%2F6TFD61fv%2Ftank-overflow-top-down.jpg&hash=be0f940d0d4b818a97e34c14dadc52cb)
I say AC (over DC) because of head pressure. I have about 12' of head, and don't know how much flow will work within my system.
Starting with a couple data points from the forums:
Reefers here seem to recommend 3x - 5x total volume through the sump.
400DT + 20 (operating level of 40 gallon protein skimmer / dosing Sump 1) + 95 (operating level of 125 gallon refugium) = 1545 - 2575 gph / 25-43gpm
Tank is a 72" tall x 43" x 44" tank.
That means approximately 5.7 gallons per inch of DT volume.
5.7 gallons / inch x 2" = 11.4 gallons
@ 25gpm = Top 2" of the tank being turned over the overflow ever 30 seconds
@ 43gpm = Top 2" of the tank being turned over the overflow ever 16 seconds
That might be way too much, but I have no frame of reference. Plus feedings likely necessitate dialing back the flow.
What do you think I should consider for the primary sump pump return?
I have an MRC-MP 6100 which is 74gpm @ 12' head, which seems like way too much
I have a ReefOctopus Varios10 (DC pump) which is about 33gpm at 100% speed
One line drawing of the setup. Also keep in mind, the sump is secondary to a closed loop bead filter.
Photo of tank from top down:
![](/proxy.php?image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.postimg.cc%2F6TFD61fv%2Ftank-overflow-top-down.jpg&hash=be0f940d0d4b818a97e34c14dadc52cb)