Questions concerning drains, sumps, returns and such...

[MarkS]

OK, I am very close to completing my 224 gallon. It will have 2 - 1 1/2" drains with 2 - 1" returns.

I am planning on using an AmpMaster 3000 for the returns and as such, I will need to have any sump I want to use drilled.

What I need to know is:
1.) What would I be looking at, in GPH, for the drains?
2.) What would be the minimum sump size to handle that GPH?

I have a 55 gallon that is sitting un used but I don't know if it would be big enough or if it would be able to handle the drains.

The plumbing will be PVC and spa flex. The drains will go straight into the 1 1/2" spa flex and there will only be a elbow where the water flows into the sump. In the overflows, I will use a 2" to 1 1/2" Stockman standpipe.

TIA,
Mark

[tendar]

The 55 would be big enough for a sump with out any problems.
The gph for your drains will depend on how much head you will be pushing. I would guess that you wont have more than 1000 gph per drain at max. With your returns being 1" that will cut down on flow with a ampmaster to around 2000 gph plus head presure.

[golfish]

Mark,
I agree with Tendar, the return flow will be a little less though. probably 1800 gph or less. But that's ok because anything more and your sump and tank will be full of bubbles. I found out the hard way trying to put 2800 gph through a 40 gal sump just didn't work. The tank was full of bubbles.

1-The drains should be able to handle well over 1500 gph each but you don't want to put that much water through your sump. Reducing the returns down to 1" will reduce flow down to 1800 gph or less.

2-The 55 would probably be minimum. I use a 40 gal sump and a Mag 12 for sump return and don't have a bubble problem, I could probably put a refugium in there someday:eek3: If you feel you need more GPH I would Drill the tank with another 1.5" bulkhead (something like what Scubadude did except only one hole) and use another AmpMaster on a closed loop. I use one on a closed loop with two 1" Sea Swirls and love the flow. I don't have the tank drilled tho, I use a U-tube made out of PVC.

[MarkS]

The GPH of the returns will not be a problem since I am going to have a surge device.