I'm going to set up my tank with built-in overflow with a sump and was wondering the best position to aim my return water so it can keep a good steady flow in my tank. I'm thinking if I return through the overflow area, wouldn't I just be cycling the same part of the water over and over again? I'm new to the sump thing so please bear with me. Thanks in advance.
What's the best way to position the return from sump?
- Thread starter Phanatik
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I usually have my return (to the tank) on the opposite side from the intake(to the sump). I've used a tracer dye to track the current and it generally takes up the whole tank after a matter of seconds.
i have dual corner overflows, so i took 5ft of pvc, drilled 3/8th inch holes in a staggered pattern kinda .*.*.* and it flows very well. a 5000gph spraybar is quite something to see in action, but i always love spraybars, dont look super clean, but very effecient at spreading flow
Ideally you want the return directly from the pump. Which means just straight up from the pump, no elbow bends that would restrict and reduce flowrate. However this is most of the time not possible.
Many people place their return just next to the overflow. Thats for convinence. But as far as im concern, as long as the pump is strong enough, the water would be spread out all over the tank instead of just returning to the overflow and cycle again.
Positioning could be anyway depending on what flow type you desire. For a more evenly spread flow, I would suggest returning in on the extreme opposite end of the tank so that most of the water in the aquarium moves from the return to the overflow, back down the sump and to the return.
Many people place their return just next to the overflow. Thats for convinence. But as far as im concern, as long as the pump is strong enough, the water would be spread out all over the tank instead of just returning to the overflow and cycle again.
Positioning could be anyway depending on what flow type you desire. For a more evenly spread flow, I would suggest returning in on the extreme opposite end of the tank so that most of the water in the aquarium moves from the return to the overflow, back down the sump and to the return.
This is how I always see it setup , with return and the overflow both at the top of the display tank, but I’m not sure the water on the bottom of the tank is getting circulated
Because I keep rheophillic riverine species, I want to create a highly oxygenated, riverine simulation flow in the tank running from one end of the length tank to the other , and create enough extra turbulence to get that kind of habitat.
Fish species such as Geophagines, Tomocichla, certain Paretroplus or Steatocranus may require such conditions,
of course
severums, anglefish, or Ctenopoma (slack water species) may require much less flow
So for me, along with the effluent pumpage from the sump, I add a couple wave makers along the length of the tank to simulate extra movement.
If you keep lacustrine those fish, this type movement may be less important, or even counter productive.
I feel I need lots of surface agitation, and movement into the lower reaches of the tank.
Wave makers add that turbulence along the 6 ft length.
I realize they often don't quite compensate the stength of flow and walls of moving water
reached in the rivers where I collect my fish, but the tools help.
Fish species such as Geophagines, Tomocichla, certain Paretroplus or Steatocranus may require such conditions,
of course
severums, anglefish, or Ctenopoma (slack water species) may require much less flow
So for me, along with the effluent pumpage from the sump, I add a couple wave makers along the length of the tank to simulate extra movement.
If you keep lacustrine those fish, this type movement may be less important, or even counter productive.
I feel I need lots of surface agitation, and movement into the lower reaches of the tank.
Wave makers add that turbulence along the 6 ft length.
I realize they often don't quite compensate the stength of flow and walls of moving water
reached in the rivers where I collect my fish, but the tools help.
Anyone ever have returning water to the bottom of the display tank(and overflow at the top of course) in theory a more thorough water circulation?
To your question.
As you can see by my photos, I prefer the returns above the surface to take advantage of the agitation created, and oxygen induced turbulence at the air water interface.
I have also used venturi tubes/valves to similate extra turbulence and oxygen exchange.
As you can see by my photos, I prefer the returns above the surface to take advantage of the agitation created, and oxygen induced turbulence at the air water interface.
I have also used venturi tubes/valves to similate extra turbulence and oxygen exchange.
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