Sump Powerhead Help

[philip_r5]

Is a Rio 1400 going to do a good job returning water from a Megaflow Model 2 Sump? The Tube is about 3feet from the pump to the tank. The pump is rated at 420 gph. Would u suggest another pump if so which?

[Matt Rogers]

That pump could be in the ball park depending on your overflow (return/drain). What GPH is your overflow rated at?

Thanks for joining 3reef!

[philip_r5]

Im not sure about the drain rate of the overflow. The box didn't have anything on it and the instructions that came with it dont say. Is there a way to find out ?

[Matt Rogers]

Going off the top of my head, if it's around 6" wide it's probably 300 gph.

[Blade_Runner]

I'll bet the tube is more than 3' if it's under the tank.

Rio 1400 = 290gph at 3', 243 at 4' and 87 at 6'
Rio 1700 = 418gph at 3', 352 at 4' and 180 at 6'

I think the ratings are optimistic. The 1700 also pulls a few less watts so it should run cooler. I'd consider going up to the 1700 if Matt is right on the 300gph over flow, which sounds about right to me too.

[Tangster]

What size bulkhead does the outside portion of the overflow have ? a 1 inch will run away with a 1400 Rio Better yet what size if the tank ? you want to consider any head loss and then you need to pass the tanks volume through the sump 5x per Hr. I think I'd get a Mag pump myself. If you are going to use one of the little black return J tubes they will kill your return flow.. Might want to make your own from some 3/4 PVC 90's and a short stub of pipe ..
Tell us more about the OB overflow and we can tell you more about what to expect and maybe a better way to plumb it rather then a ridged hose if I read this correctly ? Its more about what the overflow will do more then the sump its self. I just wanted to also ask is the tank a reef ready and drilled or is it using a HOB overflow ? and again the size of the tank..

[JustPhish]

I definitely second a mag pump. Rios have a habit of not restarting after power is interrupted.

[philip_r5]

Pics of my set up. It doesnt seem to be pushing alot of water as i wanted. The tube from the overflow is 1inch. The tube on the return is 3/8ths i believe. Some pic's below.

Picture of the Tank in total from back.

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The overflow box.


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The return line into the back of tank.

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Picture of the tube coming from the bottom of the overflow. (1inch)

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