90gal build thread.

I think you would be fine using a Mag 9.5 as a return pump for a 90. That's a pretty popular return pump for a 90. Remember, your overflow is probably only rated for 600 GPH so anything more than that is just wasting power when you have to throttle the pump back. Now, if you T it off and have it run all of your reactors and stuff like that, then a Mag 12 would probably be an appropriate size. I really like the idea of using one pump for all of your components...no Maxi-jets to run your carbon and gfo reactors, etc. Even better when it's an external pump because then you don't have to worry about the extra heat from the pump.

--AJ

 

Yeah..you will need a pump for your skimmer....but it depends on what kind of skimmer you get...many have pumps as a part of the skimmer.  A beckett style will require a separate pump, and a pretty powerful one at that. Reactors are not expensive...you can buy used single chamber reactors for $20, maybe $25 each (like a TLF Phosban 150)...or better yet, buy raffle tickets at one of our events and win one. You can hang or mount them on the inside of your sump or mount them on the stand walls...there's all sorts of options. Think about everything that you might hang off of the return pump, plan now, add later.

--AJ

 

If it were me I'd look for a more efficient return pump that'll be dedicated to that function. The more you have running off one pump the more you rely on that pump to work flawless. i'd say between 300-500gph would be good out of the return. Your drain in time will not flow as much as new and that will give you some buffer. You don't want lots of flow through your sump anyway, let the in tank circulation provide that. T'ing off can be tricky when you are running something with minimal flow like a GFO reactor, at some point something needs to be open ended or the pump will need to be throtled back.

For as cheap and durable as Maxi-Jets are, i'd use one for a small reactor.... if nothing else keep one on hand, you never know when you might use one.

 

Ryan makes a good point that I should have mentioned earlier, if you run everything off of one pump, make sure that you have a backup on hand in case that pump goes bad.  You can't afford to wait three days to order a replacement and wait for it to show up.  And in many cases, it may be hard to retrofit a different pump to your configuration, depending on the threading, size of pump, plumbing configuration, etc. (those concerns mainly impact external return pumps).
I'll have to take some pics of my manifold that I made at home to run my reactors.  It's just a bunch of PVC T fittings with threaded outlets.  Three run various reactors and the fourth goes to a hose for my water changes.  All have separate ball valves to control flow and use standard John Guest style fittings.  I really like the configuration...just wish that I had made it bigger.  I bought some more PVC T fittings the other day and I'm just going to attach a few more outlets to the end...easy to do since the ends are threaded.  It's designed for flexibility.  I was also thinking about putting a pressure indicator on one of them so that I could see what the pressure in the pipe would like.  It would give me an indicator if the pump performance had changed if I see the pressure change.
Anyway, there's no "right" way of doing things....there's a million ways to do things...everyone just has their own preference.
--AJ

 

Check out these pumps for a return. I have purchased 2 of them now and they are great pumps and very little heat.
http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4587+18989&pcatid=18989

 

If you go with an IceCap 660 ballast and either UVL or IceCap bulbs that are designed to be overdriven than you can most certainly grow acros! I love the look of my T5 retro and Im getting some nice growth tips. One thing to keep in mind is that T5s don't penetrate the water column as deeply as halides so any acros or other high light corals need to be placed higher in the tank.

 

Also don't ignore how much noise the pump makes. My tank is in my living room and right now I'm running an Eheim on my return. They are expensive but they are almost undetectable and are very high quality pumps. Now if I could only find a replacement for my sedra 5000 skimmer pump...

 

1+ on Eheim pumps.....

 

There are some good pumps listed here as alternatives... Eheim is tried and true quiet and reliable performance. The marineland pumps are also nice IMO. I was sent one before they really hit market and liked it. I've also heard good things about Tunze and Sicce Syncra's. I use a quiet one and it's been fine as well.

There isn't really anything wrong with mag-drives, they just consume a lot of power and are good heaters. If you aren't going to t the return I'd suggest less GPH unless you have higher head or restrictions on the way up.

Like Tony stated on T5's, I also run them on an IC660 and have been able to keep anything anywhere with no problems. The nice thing about them is that they illuminate all around the coral which really makes them a good alternative to Halides.

 

I'm with Gered. I have loved the MJ utility pumps and I am now incorporating 2 into my 120 build. The 4500 will handle my one return and tee off to feed the calcium reactor with a needle valve from The Filter Guys and the other, a 5500 will T off with a ball valve and feed my TLF reactor filled with NP Pellets and the second return. I really love these pumps for 3 main reasons, one-they are very quiet, two-they are relitively inexpensive, three-low heat exchange, four-in sump=reduced risk of leaks.

There are no absolute correct answers, trial and error and experiences will help you form an opinion. I have found that no matter how well I plan or how much I think I know, I always end up wanting to modify/change something. That is part of the allure of the hobby, constant change and the ultimate build and eventually rebuild.....

Have fun, learn and engage your friends, children and others to this glorious "hobby"

 

I agree with Ryan. If you get a Mag pump, you won't need a heater for your tank. /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif Another good alternative is an Ocean Runner pump. I have used them in the past and they worked well.

 

I think the jury's still out on this - do a Google search for Danano and Iwan Laesser for starters...
Many people have successfully maintained (color & growth) corals with higher light requirements lower in the tank.
-Eric

 

Darn - just lost my post!  Oh well...
Nice discussion going on regarding the return pump with some great points:
1 large pump with manifold is a nice option for a larger pump as long as you have another pump for backup
Mag pumps generate heat - especially the 9.5 & larger.
There's quite a few quality pumps on the market - reliability, noise and heat are specifications worth considering
I didn't see anyone ask what you were planning on using for a skimmer?
I'm of the mindset that the return flow should be matched to the skimmer's processing capacity.
For instance, I run a 72g Bowfront with a 1" return rated @ 600gph.
My skimmer (ETSS) is rated to process 400 - 450 gph.
I use an Eheim 1060 return (607 gph) on a 1.25 return that is calculated and measured @ approximately 420 gph - just where it needs to be for the skimmer.
This flow through the sump is sufficient for the fuge as well as any reactors that I wanted to add - I think most want a lower flow (