Down the road I'm planning on converting my 29 gal into a FOWLR. I plan on using a 10 gal sump for filtration (I don't think I would be able to fit a 20 gal underneath the stand), using a HOB overflow of 300 gph. How strong would my return pump need to be to get the water back in the tank?
The 29 is on a stand of that is approximately 30 inches tall, so my guesstimate is that the water needs to be forced up about 4 feet. Any recommendations?
Thanks in advance.
Use the head loss calculator (may have to google one if this site doesn thave it)
But dont pump more than 300gph and you will be fine... Mag3 is fine you may be able to get away with mag4 but depends on head loss.
The sump purpose is to hide equipment and add water volume. You can add things to it that does improve filtration. Just don't mistaken the purpose of a sump to filter.
The added volume and room means you can add filtration small tanks have issues with like big skimmers... the sump can house the goodies that otherwise cant fit on the tanks.
Head loss means the loss of GPH you get when you have elbows ,size of tube/pvc, and length. The math involved I don't know reason I say use a calculator.
If you really want to push it as close to 300gph you can get to...personally Mag3 are rated 300gph but you will get less than that out of it... but you wont push over 300gph which is good. So you would be fine doing that route if you just dont care about pushing it to its max.
I advise on your return some tips I was given. Drill 2 holes at the end of the return line inside the tank...somewhere below the water line. 2 holes to avoid siphoning of more water than you intend and if one hole gets pluged by snail or debris the other is a back up.
The other tip is noise reduction.... The overflow line going in sump..IF submerged have a T at the end ...glue the line in place so that you have a pvc going in the water but a vent going UP out of the water so you avoid gurgling noise. IF you have it over the water suspended like I do... put filter sock at the end of it to kill noise.... and rubble rock.
Good luck.
