Return Pump for Sump

[roscozman]

We are buying this sump (with tank and stand) for a good price. BUT... the lady says the return pump is broken. What kind of retun pump is needed and how much should I pay? I have attached a pic of the sump and of our tank (55 gal).

Thanks.

[jtrux]

Well i'd say go with a mag 5. I can't remember the price but they are about 60-75 maybe. If you want to go cheap use a Rio 1700 or 2500. Probably around 40 bucks.

[Mr Cob]

The pump you need will be based on a few things...

-Is your tank drilled (doesn't look like it is)?
-What type of HOB (hang on back) Overflow do you have if you do have one? Your return pump will need to return water as fast as your Overflow is draining water. This is rated by GPH (gallons per hour)

A mag 5 or 7 should do the job depending on your overflow GPH. A mag 5 is rated at like 300-350 gph at a 4foot incline I think.

I would also consider replacing the bio balls with a nice load of live rock for filtration. Bio balls can be nitrate factories.

[aquasport24]

Welcome to MAAST'''''''''''''''''by the way, it looks like a Rio 2500 in the sump's picture.

[Mr Cob]

So you could just pick up another Rio 2500.

Here's one on sale:

http://www.aquariumguys.com/rio3100.html

$55 plus shipping. It's 748gph.

[joelb]

usually the water from the tank drains down and lands over and trickles through the blue balls. the seperation of the water as it's forced or trickled through the blue bio balls creates oxagen in the water which is one of the reasons you add them into the sump. it looks like you could move those blue balls to the cell on the left and use the cell that they are in right now as a refuge. just a suggestion. good luck, joel

[ErikH]

rio= garbage.

eheim or mag.

[coraline79]

Rio's aren't all that bad. Most of our store sponsors will recommend them as a "good Choice". The 3100 may be a little bit of an overkill though.

[alton]

What ever submersable pump you buy make sure it is grounded!

[roscozman]

I appreciate all the advice. We are just starting out. We bought a 20 gal just a month ago and quickly upgraded to what is pictured now. We currently have two bio wheels and found this sump for real cheap ($50 w/ another 55gal and stand). The lady said the pump was not working, but my wife is picking up today. I will see when I get home this evening.

We just bought some live rock and have a little left over. From what I have read, I will replace the balls with the live rock.

The more I read, the more I am interested and would like to learn.

Thanks and I will give an update later tonight.

[Dozer]

The more I read, the more I am interested and would like to learn.



That is a great attitude to have in this hobby and will lead you to success if you stick with it! Keep asking questions and reading as much as you can- here and at reefcentral. Learn from the experience of others (especially when starting out) rather than wasting your own time and money when you don't have to! :)

[Mr Cob]

That is a great attitude to have in this hobby and will lead you to success if you stick with it! Keep asking questions and reading as much as you can- here and at reefcentral. Learn from the experience of others (especially when starting out) rather than wasting your own time and money when you don't have to! :)

Soooooo very true. I started saving money when I joined Maast.org after a year into the hobby.:bigsmile:

[roscozman]

Okay, my wife brought the sump home last night. It looks like just the plug is burned out. I will go to home depot and buy a grounded plug and replace this evening and try it out.

Darth-Tater bought a fish from us last night and gave us some great advice on how to set it up.

This might be a dumb question, but can I test the pump out of water just to make sure it runs (I know I will have to submerse it to check to see if it pump water)?

Thanks.

[hobogato]

you can test dry very briefly, but if you run it very long at all, it will cause excessive wear on the impeller magnet.