overflow question
 

Just wondering if I could get more return on my tank if I went herbie style.
Right now I have the megaflow overflow system that came with the tank and its rated at 600 gph. Not sure what the size of the return hole is in the bottom of the tank(whatever the standard drilling is).
I got a new pump from my work and it pushes insane amounts of water(not sure how much but the pump is 1/3 HP)

This should be fun!!!

A Herbie works as a full siphon, not partial such as a Durso so technically yes, more flow.

You do have two drains bulkheads available though, one for the primary, then the emergency?

Why in the world would you need a 1/3 hp return pump for a 72 gallon (according to your sig) tank? Too much flow throug the sump causes more noise, micro-bubbles and salt creep and reduces the effectiveness of your skimmer.

What is the recommended flow through a sump?

x2
the above is correct
in addition to the above:
Amount of return g/hr is not as important as internal flow, i.e. flow in display tank. And what we have in our tanks is still nothing compare to the ocean currents, i have almost x200 times flow in my 60 gal, but only less then 300 g/hr return from the sump.
jmtcw

you tank volume x few times /hr, just to have enough to feed your skimmer and to replace water effluent from you calcium reactor etc. so minimal return from sump is OK imo.

haha 1/3hp! The reeflow barracuda is smaller and that pushes 4500gph! Hopefully you didn't purchase a utility or sump pump from Canadian Tire or somewhere similar. Well at least it will sound good :lol:

The pump is not your run of the mill sump pump.....I work at Andrew Sheret and its a replacement jacuzzi tub pump, made by pentair, I called there customer service and they said the pump is fine for this purpous.

Anyway the pump is gonna be branched off to my chiller, tank return, and frag tank.
External so less heat and almost half the electricity of all the other pumps combined. and if I can get enough flow back to my tank maybe I can reduce at least 1 of my ugly powerheads in my display.

So what is kinda funny though is I completely forgot about the flow coming back into my sump........so yeah obviously some issues there with too much flow.

I agree what what the others have said in regards to the amount of flow through the sump being important..... However if the sump is designed properly for a higher flow you will not get micro bubbles and the a good skimmer should still work effectively. I run a Dart return on full throttle... which means I am putting approx. 3000 gph @ 4' of head loss(20x turn over)through my sump and have no micro bubbles and have to empty my skimmer cup every 2 days. I run no powerheads and only have the return pump and a Tunze nano wavemaker for internal flow. There are no dead spots in the tank and no settlement of debris.

Cheers
Lawrence

for reference a Dart is 1/8 HP and reeflow pumps are essentially hot tub pumps however they have different seals so they can be used for saltwater. In addition they are quiet, have you ever been in a hot tub with the pump going?

Just a friendly FYI, that pump will cause you problems, not sure it was worth the money you saved.