Pump recommendation

FishyFishy! · #1 02-23-2011, 06:11 PM

I'm plumbing and setting up my 24X24X12 shallow clam tank tonight, and want to go buy a return pump. I'm using a 10 gallon 3 chamber sump, with a 1" drain, and 2 X 3/4" returns. I have two K2's available for additional flow (if needed), but just wondering how many GPH should I be getting for my return pump? Suggestions?

brizzo · #2 02-23-2011, 06:34 PM

Hotly debated topic.. but the usual advice is 3x turn over for a sump

I would question why you're using a 1" drain and 2x 3/4" returns. Your tank is pretty much 15 gallons, right? 3/4" pipe is rated for approx 600 gph

What are you going to be running in your sump?

FishyFishy! · #3 02-23-2011, 06:40 PM

Tank is 29.9 gallons. (sorry dimensions edited) 24X24X12 Only real reason for the 1" drain, is that's what it's drilled for. May use a reducer, just not sure yet.

lorenz0 · #4 02-23-2011, 08:40 PM

look into something around 1000gph. depending on your height you will only have around 30x turnover which would be great for clams

sphelps · #5 02-23-2011, 09:05 PM

You'd be a fool to use power heads in such a small tank when it's drilled for more than enough flow from the return. 500-600 gph total flow would be more than adequate for that size tank, easily achievable with a single return pump.

lorenz0 · #6 02-23-2011, 09:25 PM

I'm running a eheim 1262 on my cube and I honestly think its not enough flow (for sps) let alone a clam.

Personally I am looking at the sedra 1200 to shoot me into the 1000gph range after headlose

FishyFishy! · #7 02-23-2011, 10:16 PM

Yeah, i'm thinking that a Quietone 3000 (780 GPH) because the lower the flow through your sump means more filtration happening in my opinion, and then 1 or 2 koralia 2's (600 GPH ea.) I should be just fine.

apex82 · #8 02-23-2011, 11:19 PM

Eheim are the way to go if noise is any issue for you... I use the eheim compact and its great.

sphelps · #9 02-24-2011, 01:12 PM

Clams do not require high flow, they do better with low to moderate flow. A 30X turnover in a small cube tank will actually have negative effects on clams, too much flow and too much substrate movement will cause the clams to stress out. A pump rated at around 600GPH will be all you need providing over 10X actual turnover which is better for clams.