flow through the sump

[tico mike]

Any reason I should plan a bigger return pump than I will have going through my skimmer?

I've never been a big fan of big flow through my sump...Just wondering what people think. I can't think of any reasons to pump too much when I really won't need it for flow.

[Redwinger]

Me personally with how I run my tank I prefer the most flow that I can handle without the noise and micro bubbles. Right now I run a low flow through sump because of noise issues and also micro bubbles. The 120 was pushing a good 900gph while the skimmer was only getting about half that at best. Same goes for the old 75.

[mtfatwork]

I have 1500 gph going through my sump, but the only reason I do is because I had to make sure I got a pump that would be able to handle the head pressure. If you are not depending on the return pump as a main sorce of water movement within the tank, I see no reason to run a big return pump. Just my .02 though :)

[David Grigor]

While it may be difficult to determine, you also need enough flow that if your heater is located in the sump that the flow is fast enough to regulate the temp during the winter. To slow and you may not be able to keep the temps up.