Tropical Fish Forums

[CCS]

Hey guys, I haven't been on here for a while. Anyway, before I ask, I'll give you some info. My system will run as follows: tank water flows into overflow and down into filter. The filter then pumps at 275 gph into the sump(next to filter and at same level). The water is first run through a T and water runs into either the skimmer area or the refugium(partly closed ball valve slows restricts water speed/pressure). Both the skimmer area and refugium drain into a reservior, where water is sucked out of by an external pump. The water is pumped back into the tank which requires pumping up to 5 feet vertically. My question is, will the filter pump affect the system if the external pump is many times stronger? By the way, for these purposes, the tank is 90g. Can someone please help?
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I would like to acknowledge that all of the info I give is purely based on research.

[CCS]

I really need an answer. If you would like me to clear anything up, just ask. Also, I think I'm changing my design to incorporate an internal pump. They are cheaper and less maintanence.
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I would like to acknowledge that all of the info I give is purely based on research.

[SoS]

If the external pump is much stronger than the filter pump. WOuldn't you pump the sump dry if it can't keep up?

quick schematic might help
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150 Gallon (567.811768 liters) community tank, 50 Gallon African Tank, 7 reef tanks, 6 FOLR, 28 freshwater tanks

[FloridaBoy]

Sorry wish I could help you, my systems have all been run with only one or two submersible pumps located inside the main sump, if two pumps were used, both pumps worked together dedicated to returning water up to the tank. This improved turnover rate and provided a back up if one pump failed. The setup you are describing sounds problematic to me.
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Keepin' marines happy for 25 years

[sirreal63]

Gravity should handle the flow into the sump and the pump should be used to fill the display tank only. Anything else is a recipe for disaster.
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Out on the road today...I saw a DeadHead sticker on a Cadillac...
Jack
110 Gallon DSA Pentagon

[CCS]

Well, I guess I'll just elevate the filter higher up for gravity. Maybe I'll just put it on the sump.
_________________
I would like to acknowledge that all of the info I give is purely based on research.

[FloridaBoy]

[CCS]

Well, I don't think I will put the filter on the sump because that would limit the height of the sump. The filter is an Eheim Professionel Wet/Dry Filter(model 2227). I don't have the sump design figured out yet; I've had so many ideas and this might not be The One. In the diagram, the water flows from the main tank, through the filter, and into the sump. The filter will be elevated if neccesary. Here's the diagram:

Will this work?

.............Sorry, I couldn't transfer the image onto photobucket for some reason. Anyway, it's a picture of a tank on a stand. There is a filter sitting on top of a little stool-like thing. There is a sump sitting next to the filter. Tubing runs from the tank to the filter, filter to the sump, and the sump to the main tank. The tubing from the filter to the sump is angled downward because the filter is elevated so the water runs down into the sump.

Also, an unrelated question, but I need to use .5 in tubing on a pump that has a .75 in outlet. What do I buy? Here is the pump: http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=DN1129
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I would like to acknowledge that all of the info I give is purely based on research.

[FloridaBoy]

Okay do NOT run your cannister into the sump.
I would keep the cannister filter and the sump separate, allow the cannister filter to pump back into the display on it's own circuit. If you want a sump you will need an overflow prefilter for the display to gravity feed it or a drilled tank with an overflow inside the tank. The way you are trying to do it with one pump filling and a second pump returning is a recipe for disaster. What if one pump fails... think about it.
Your sump needs to be gravity fed. Pllenty of info on sumps here:
http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html
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Keepin' marines happy for 25 years

[sirreal63]

He has been told this before but refuses to listen, it will only take one episode of a flooded floor, burned equipment and drained tank will be education enough.
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Out on the road today...I saw a DeadHead sticker on a Cadillac...
Jack
110 Gallon DSA Pentagon