What Is Your Sump Turnover Rate?

[teebone110]

What is your sump turnover rate?

I was reading another forum about this topic, as there was a recent article that recommended only a 20% turnover rate.
The rationale is that low flow through the sump can improve the efficiency the skimmer.

A higher powered pump can push too much water through the sump, causing more nutrient water to be fed back into the display tank, feeding nuisance algae, etc.

Some recommend to match the return pump to equal the flow of the skimmer intake pump for the best balance.

It all seems logical thus improving efficiency and reducing electricity costs.

Just curious about what others may think about this?

 

[shayneh]

Matching return to skimmer is what I agree with. If your able to reduce the flow through the sump without any deleterious effect why not take advantage of the energy savings? This is why my next system will have a 2600gph pump for closed loop circulation in the display but only about 500gph actual flow through the sump.

 

[teebone110]

Good feedback, I was also thinking that a smaller pump would also have less heat transfer.

How are you plumping your closed loop system?

 

[shayneh]

lol very slowly....I just ordered bulkheads and true unions.....I will be posting a build thread once I start.

 

[Cal_stir]

the skimmer can only process a finite amount of water whether you have a high flow or a low flow sump, if you low flow the sump then you will have less waste laden(or more skimmed) water in the sump and more waste laden(or less skimmed) water in the tank.
it's 6 of 1 or a half dozen off the other
IMO fast thru the sump, slow thru the refugium
i flow @ 3000gph thru the sump, @ 200gph thru the gium

 

[shayneh]

Cal do you have a remote/seperate refug? I think teebone is speaking about just a sump setup. High flow is fine for the sump and doesn't do any harm but general consensus is that it isn't necessary. I agree if you have a refuge you want slower flow so macroalgae/mangroves have maximum contact time. I'll be using mangroves in my second section of the sump and figured 500gph is an acceptable amount of flow.

 

[Cal_stir]

yes, remote fuge

 

[Krazykarl]

I just purchased all the plumbing for my new 55 gallon fuge. Running a 3/4" PVC return line with bypass back to sump. Pump will be pumping at 1920 gph minus head pressure. Two ball valves on return line to dial in Max overflow. Not running a fuge this time. I found running one only gave me more problems with nutrients. Live rock in the sump and skimmer. That's it! Keepin it simPle this time. So I'll connect it all today and let it dry for a day or test and test for water. Once it's done I'll post pics....

 

[teebone110]

lol very slowly....I just ordered bulkheads and true unions.....I will be posting a build thread once I start.

LOL! It's all about the journey. No need to rush, take your time and do things right

 

[teebone110]

the skimmer can only process a finite amount of water whether you have a high flow or a low flow sump, if you low flow the sump then you will have less waste laden(or more skimmed) water in the sump and more waste laden(or less skimmed) water in the tank.
it's 6 of 1 or a half dozen off the other
IMO fast thru the sump, slow thru the refugium
i flow @ 3000gph thru the sump, @ 200gph thru the gium

Very good point. I was curious if I should change my return pump because I'm pushing 1200 gph (minus head pressure).
My fuge is in my sump and part of my return system's flow, but only has cheato in it. I should be fine, but I guess there is always something to spend money on!

I also use the flow from my return to help with circulation in my display. Not ideal, but it works!

 

[Blob-79]

im using a mag13 on my 75 gallon. majority of water from overflow goes right back to the return pump, around 400-500 gph goes thru the actual full sump. Kind of semi closed loop...minus the closed   I have it manifolded, ready to run water to various things

 

[Krazykarl]

Ok help. I have it all plumbed with bypass and ball valves to regulate flow. However, when I open full throttle the noise is rather unbearable. Its pretty loud vibration and my overflow can't handle it. If i throttle it down the overflow keeps up but the flow is minimal. I'm trying a new DIY overflow with 1.5" drains. Right now I think it's 1" maybe. I hope it works. Any ideas how to minimize noise?

 

[shayneh]

bean animal overflow...its the best!

http://www.beananimal.com/

 

[Blob-79]

siphon overflow?

either way. running a high amount of flow is hard to maintain quietness...unless you run at least 2 drains. 1 as it is, and 1 full syphon drain. The reason it gets so noisy is your drain is maxing out, so your getting air trapped in the tubeing. By putting a full syphon drain on it will reduce the amount draining thru your overflow. I was able to hide everything in my overflow box. Alot of people are running 3 drains, but the 3rd drain is only for redundancy. From everything ive tried in my 15 or so years in and out of the hobby this is the best and quietest way to do it.  Let me know if you need pics, it will also help if you post pics of your overflow and plumbing


edit: ya what im describing is the beananimal type musta posted at the same time

here is a more direct link http://www.beananimal.com/projects/silent-and-fail-safe-aquarium-overflow-system.aspx

 

[marks69]

i'm running the bean type.  but i only drilled my tank twice, so i run full syphon and an emergency.  the emerg is a 90 turned upwards and a piece of pipe to bring it 1/2" below the plastic rim.  the full syphon will take amazing volumes of water, my last sump set up i was running the little giant 4 full tilt, with 3' of head and had to throttle back the overflow, the pump couldn't keep up.  and the only sound i hear is the trickle of water going through my overflows teeth.  when the ato is working even that's gone.