Sump Pump and Filter help needed

[MtuPup]

So the senario:

I'm doing a 55 gal long tank for PDF. As par for the course - I'm going to have a water feature. Do to the nature of the creatures and my Design for X (in this case serviceability), I'm internally plumbing the tank but draining to a basin and using a sump pump to recirculate. I've sized the pump already for proper header pressure.

So issues I want to address:

1. Filtration, it shouldn't be an issue if I put the water filter in the external basis provided I keep good water flow in tank right?

2. Overheating the water - I'm only using a 5 gallon ultiity bucket at the moment but I think if i move up to a large basin and maybe put a fan on it I should fix this - anyone have any other idea?

[froggsong]

How much water will be flowing through the system (both the bucket and the tank)?

How are you planning to heat the water, and what is your overheating worry based on?

Filtration is generally done in the sump when such a system is used, so I don't see a problem there. Think of the bucket as a really big canister filter.

[MtuPup]

I really haven't nailed down the amount of water - it's more of a fill the system up then balance it mentality now - I want to see evaporation rate and everything. I've found I can do every calculation in the book but the real world is never paper and pencil.

The overheating concern came from Friday night after I fitted the sump with tubing and ran the pump overnight - it was basically a closed loop system that won't even be close to the actual system water capacity. I just noticed the water got really hot from the pump and before I assume the heat will dissipate in the animal tank, I want to get an idea if I might need to come up with some kind of water cooler.

[froggsong]

I was wondering if that might be the issue. How hot did it get? Hopefully we can find a solution so that you don't have to replace the pump with something that won't heat the water that way.

[MtuPup]

just by touch estimate, I'd say it was around 85-90 - bathwater-ish.

[MtuPup]

in case anyone was waiting for the verdict:

I ended up using a rubbermaid tote probably like a 25 gallon I think. I have roughly 15 gallons of water in the tank and in the basin. I've ran it now for 3 nights and no over heating issues what so ever. Note: the tank is not at temperature yet either as I need to purchase the permanent lighting fixtures.

[beckdg]

if it overheats you will have some drippy glass to see through because that will make it dissipate into the air. if that is the case you can kill 2 birds with one stone. a fan that blows across the front glass and a little across the water should help. probably more than one for a 55 but you should know because if you don't feel it moving there it isn't blowing there. by the time the glass is not dripping the water should be cool enough.

you're obviously a technical guy with some building skills. have you checked into building a sump/refugium style filter? i'm assuming your drain has a bulkhead/tubing and/or pvc pipe correct? and it's not plumbed exactly from the 55 to the tote correct? is it just draining in there? if so put a micron filter sock to catch the water as it drains. you could add bio balls or media of other sorts in there also if it's big enough. otherwise it wouldn't be too bad to put some media be it in media bags or something larger in the tub too if that's something you wish.

you could also just cut a couple holes in the lid for the tote and use that too. you may have to reinforce it but i think you can handle that. anyway for the pump hose you make a u shaped cut that extends through one end that gives a little wiggle room so you can take the lid off easily. the other end should just have a circular hole just big enough to hold your sock snug.

usually submersible pumps have less issues with heat as far as i know. so it shouldn't be too bad i would think.