return pump size?

[cwickham]

hey everyone, im setting up a 33 gallon tank with a 20 gallon sump, i was all decided on the quietone 4000 for my return pump it does 1000 gph, which would go down allot once split and with the height, but then i was talked into the quietone 3000 which only does 780gph, and after the height of the tank it does around 550.

which pump would you use for a 33gal with 20 sump?

quietone 3000 or quietone 4000.

is the 4000 gonna give to much flow through my small sump?

thanks
craig

[sphelps]

I'd probably go with the 4000, all your plumbing will add a significant amount of head pressure in addition to the height difference. It will reduce the need for additional water flow and if your overflow and sump design is good you should have any problems.

[fmelindy]

based on my own experience with quiet one pumps (I've owned almost all of them), I'd be more inclined to go with an eheim. Quieter, more reliable, always restarts after power out (unlike the quiet ones), and maintains better flow through plumbing. Just my .02. Every quiet one pump I've ever owned, I regretted buying in the end.

Oh, and I think putting that much flow through your 20 gallon sump is only going to give you micro bubble problems. At least that's what it did for me! Now I'm using an eheim 1260 (635 gph) in an approximately 40 gallon sump.

[Canuckgod420]

I've used several quiet one pumps and have never run into any problems....they are quiet and they always restart when I turn them off. I ave used the same quiet one 4000 on my reef for 2.5 years now and I think its a great pump.
My wife has a 34 gallon cube with the quiet one 3000 and even with the 4.5 feet of head it pushes enough water that I dont even need to consider a powerhead.....lots of flow. In fact the flow is so strong through the 10 gallon sump that if I dont use a filter sock we get tons of micro bubbles, but I dont mind, I just change out the bag every 4 or 5 days and my water is crystal clear.

[Captainhemo]

I've been running a quiet one 4000 on my 55 + 30 gal sump for 3+ years. The pump is pushing about 3'-4' of head up the 1" line that splits into 2 3/4" returns at tank height.. I've got it throttled back (just a ball valve after the pump w/o any issues) as I like to keep the water runnning through my sump reatively slow. Never had any issues , restarts fine, its quiet etc etc.
I would think the 3000 would provide plenty of flow for your setup, you may even want to throttle back the 3000 with a 20 gal sump depending on design etc. Using a filter sock really helps eliminate any air bubbles and turbulance in the skimmer section

[Myka]

Honestly, I would put less flow than the 3000. I like to have my turnover around 6-7x through the sump. That would put you around 325-400 gph. Remember you can (usually) safely throttle back with a ball/gate valve about 10-15% without causing too much stress on the pump.

[cwickham]

thanks for all the info, i was hoping to not have to add a power head, but i also dont want to push micro bubbles through my tank, guess its one or the other

thanks
craig

[Myka]

You WILL have to add a powerhead(s). The only way you can potentially eliminate powerheads is if you create a closed loop, which essentially works like and external powerhead. It doesn't run through the sump. You need the powerhead(s) to keep detritus from settling on the sand, as well many corals need the extra flow. When you find a nook where the detritus settles you need to adjust your powerhead(s) or get another one.

I have a 33g setup currently and I'm running a MaxiJet 1200 for circulation. I also have an AquaClear 500 (has rubble in it, and a sack of carbon every once in awhile), and a Remora skimmer which is powered by a MJ1200 as well adding to the flow. It also has a MJ400 running a PhosBan Reactor, but it's dialed back so far it hardly counts. My tank could use a touch more flow, but it's getting pretty cluttered. As least with the sump you will be able to eliminate a lot of the stuff I have to put right in the tank like the skimmer, reactor, heater, and you could put the carbon in the sump instead of an AquaClear. Can't wait for my new tank (with sump!) to be ready!

[cwickham]

its soo exciting, takes so long to get everything ready, hahahaha

i will definalty have to add some power heads then i guess
thanks

[Kronk]

http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/hlc2...=4&Entrances=1

Might help you decide.