What size pump do I need?

[wetpetman]

I am setting up a new 125 gal acrylic tank and am putting my sump in the basement. I'm thinking about having a rubbermaid type of container that's about 100 gallons for my sump. I am going to have to pump the water about 15-20 feet up to my tank. Can anybody tell me what size pump that I'm going to need.

 

[robbinson]

You should consider a rectangular sump, rather than the vertical garbage pail for better air exchange and more accessory options (i.e., plumbed skimmer, mechanical filtration, etc).

In terms of a pump (or pumps) - if you want to use an external pump, an iwaki 100 rlt would be very good and you can "t" the return to split it into 2 returns. If you want to use submerisbles, you could run two mag 12s, 1 for each return.

There are many other possible pumps that can run your application - including external pumps made by dolphin.

 

[wombat1]

A cattle trough makes a good large and cheap sump. One drawback of rubbermaids is that it's nearly impossible to partition it because of the bulging of the container. Good luck!!

 

[monkeyboy]

A cattle trough makes a good large and cheap sump.

Where are you supposed to get a cattle trough? :? I don't believe that's a walmart item!

I'd say that one of the larger Iwaki's or a nice Dophin aqua-seas pump would do the trick. Try to get somewhere around 1000gph after the 15-20' of head.