pump for basement sump

[das75]

Looking for some input to narrow down the choices for return pump.

Tank will be 145g (69.5"x20"x24"d) starting as FOWLR but planning on slowly moving into corals. Haven't yet selected a sump.

Still firming up the details with the tank builder but will be setup as a room divider, with overflows at both end. Planning each overflow will be drilled for 1.5" and 2-1" bulkheads. The 1.5"s will be drains, 2 of the 1" for returns and the remaining 2-1" bulkheads to allow for a closed loop.

For the CL, pump will also be in the basement, thinking a perimeter manifold type return (Calfo). This will probably be a little in the future.

Though house is still being built looking like 15' from top of tank the basement floor, depending on beams, ducting etc, probably a 20' horizontal run.

Noise is a bit of a concern as my kid's room will be immediately above.

 

[Anonymous]

Iwaki MD100RLT. It's not any louder than the 70 but has a lot more oomph for the 20' of head you're suggesting.

If you build a stand for the sump so that it's higher then you'll need less pump like the MD70RLT. It MUST be a pressure rated pump though. Pumps for closed loops do not have to be pressure rated and you can get a lot of waterflow out of a fairly small pump.

 

[das75]

Details changed slightly on tank.

Still 145g but bulkheads now: 2-2" drains, 2-1" returns, 1-1.5" CL intake, 1-1" CL return. Have also ordered a 75G sump.

Since I'll be able to add a closed loop, should I be limiting my flow through the sump? Guess I could back up with my question, why do I see numbers like 5X flow in sump, is that just to reduce micro-bubbles or are there other reasons? Am also considering a refugium above the sump teeing from one of the drains so I could have reduced flow just through there.

 

[ChrisRD]

Yeah, many people prefer to get the majority of their flow from closed loops and in-tank devices because of issues like noise, microbubbles and energy efficiency when putting a lot of flow through the sump/overflows. The latter can really come into play in your case (basement sump) because of the significant gravity head involved. OTOH, with 2" drains you can put quite a bit of flow through there if you wanted to! :wink: