sump pump

[reefhope]

I plan on setting my reef tank back up (46gal) after I finish my basement and am looking for ways to save $$$. I've figured out how to save about $120 on lighting by DIY but was having trouble with the price of pumps for the sump I plan on having.

Then I though about using my old fluval 304 as a return pump from my sump. I will simply suck water from the sump and have it return to main tank. Anybody have thoughts on whether this should work? Thanks

 

[FRIDMANI]

I don't know what kind of corals you are keeping or type of system you're running, but I like to have my reef tanks turn over at least 7 to 8 times the volume of the tank...this would be at least 400 gph minimum. A canister filter wouldn't do this efficiently. Are you using an overflow box? You want the pump to at least keep up with the overflow. You could probably get a good deal on a good pump at the marketplace. I consider the pump as the heart of the whole system. You don't want to go too cheap on it.

 

[dattack]

It will work but do you realize it only pumps probably only 200-300 gph and might be less if you have higher head pressure.
You can always get a Mag 5 or Mag 7 at www.petsmart.com for only $40 if you use their $10 discount or 20% discount.