Couple questions before I drill

[Mrw3ss]

I have some final numbers I wanted to run by you guys.

I have a 220 I am setting up with a 55 that I'm turning into a wet sump. I have a jaebo dcs-1200 return pump in route. I know it's not the best pump but if it gets me through a year I'll be happy.
My overflow is a eclipse L from eshopps which is rated at a max of 1000 gph. Ideally I'd like to get more gph, but I already had the overflow from a previous build that never happened, and wanted to use it. If needed I can maybe add a second overflow? 1000gph will turn the tank almost 5 times an hour. From what I read most say 4 times/hr is sufficient for freshwater.

One thing I'm not sure about is the return lines. I want to run two of them branching off the single pump. Not sure what size to run to achieve that rate of flow. The two bulkheads I have are for 3/4" pipe saved from my previous tank build. Will that be big enough or should I go bigger?

Any other suggestions would be great as this is my first sump build.

Tank is gong to be stocked with mostly 3 blood parrots, a severum, an acara, two catfish and two baby stingrays(until they outgrow the tank in a few years)

 

[Jhay3513]

Ive had my pump from them for about a year and a half and it's just as strong as the day I got it. I don't think you'll have a problem. I would run with what you have and just a a power head if you want more turn over. Some argue that slower flow through the sump allows for the water to come in contact with your BB for a longer period of time.

 

[Mrw3ss]

I think my main worry is I won't have enough flow to keep up with the fish especially the rays. I'm not sure if 1000gph is enough or should I do more? I want to be 100% sure what I'm doing will work before drilling the glass.

 

[Drstrangelove]

Which Jebao do you have? There is a dcs-12000 and a dc-1200. I couldn't find a dcs-1200.

More importantly, what is the pump, that you have, going to pump into the tank in gph? Not the rated amount, but the actual amount (or at least what is indicated at the head you have for the pump?)

If you have the dcs-12000, you have plenty of output. At 2 meters of head, you get 7,000 lph. At 1.5 meters, you get over 8,000. So you should be able to add a second box.

As for the output lines from the pump, they should be the size recommended by the manufacturer unless you can adjust the pump output. If you are getting too much out of the pump, you can always use a T, to redirect part of the flow to the sump.

 

[Mrw3ss]

I'm sorry, I meant DCS-12000. The pump should be able to pump much more than my overflow can handle so I didn't really calculate head pressure. I just plan on dialing the pump down to where the overflow can keep up with it.
As I said before the overflow I have says the max it will allow through is 1000gph, so I'm kind of overdoing the rest of the stuff so I can easily get the most out of the overflow.
That's also why I wanted to make sure 3/4" return would also allow for 1000gph +


My thought process may be way off as this is my first go at this stuff. If so please correct me. As said before, j want to do it right the first time and make a safe environment for my rays that also looks good.

 

[BIG-G]

This chart has been posted before I believe but it will give you some valuable information on water flow for different systems.
A lot of things go into calculating water flow. The cumulative effect of gravity, pipe diameter as well as distance, vertical and horizontal, and types of fittings used will all play a part in the total head loss of your pump.

 

[Mrw3ss]

I plan on using soft pipe coming off the pump. Hopefully the only additions in the line would be a Y coming off the pump to the two returns and two 90's where they meet the bulkheads.

Is this chart saying that a 3/4 pipe can supply up to 1400gph?

 

[BIG-G]

Yes under pressure though. I doubt that most aquarium pumps will be able to supply those kinds of pressures

 

[BIG-G]

It would probably be better to plan your system using the green section for your gph value

 

[Jhay3513]

I plan on using soft pipe coming off the pump. Hopefully the only additions in the line would be a Y coming off the pump to the two returns and two 90's where they meet the bulkheads.

Is this chart saying that a 3/4 pipe can supply up to 1400gph?

I would be careful as to not over doing your rates GPH. My corner flo is rated at 750 GPH my Jebao DCT-6000 is rated at 766 or so GPH at its lowest setting and I'm honestly uncomfortable with turning it up any more. These things move some serious water. That was my main reason for suggesting matching your pump with your overflow and using a powerhead in the display for additional flow. That way you're getting your increased flow but not over compensating your overflow.