Return Pumps

Here is a question for the room:
I have a 120RR 4'X2' with Dual Overflows  that I am getting ready, in the process of getting a sump and a return pump... how many gph should I be pushing through, or what is recommended for optimal performance.. I have heard recommendations about Mag Drive pumps, if so what is the best size to use....
Thanks

 

I use a mag 9.5 on my 125 and it's plenty. The more flow you get, the louder it is, and the less efficiently the water is filtered out. There's no need to push too much flow through your sump.

Are you going to be splitting your return pipe so that water is pumped into the tank from your overflows or are you going to have your return pipe hang on the side? If you have it hang on the side, you can take one of the two bulkheads in both overflows and leave it flush with the bottom of the tank and put a ball valve on it to open it up just enough so that barely any water trickles down the standpipe. It makes it extremely quiet and it's great for sucking all the fish poop that settles on the bottom!

 

I would go with a Mairneland Pump they are so much nicer and quieter than a Mag pump.

 

I have that same tank and run a MJ 5500 that I have teed off to run my calcium and biopellet reactor. Slow return=efficient refugium/filtration.

I also have my returns plumbed up with valves so that I can run them as siphons and adjust to match the return pump flow. I know there are folks that say this is dangerous but as long as you run the return level in your sump such that the display can accomodate the entire return areas volume in the event a snail orgy plugs BOTH drains, the pump will run dry and spit air. The benefit to me is a silent drain, no modifications to the stock overflows, no bubbles in the sump, minimal salt creep......

 

It all depends, I would highly recommend an external pump, especially if you plan on using metal halides on that 120. I use a GenX MAK4 ~1200gph which feeds a 40 gallon frag tank, skimmer, po4 rxr, ca rxr, and return to my main 120. A larger pressure rated pump can be useful for future add-ons and use the same energy as a regular (non pressure rated) pump, not to mention energy savings in removing 120 watts of heat being absorbed by the water. IMO mag drive pumps are real tanks, they run great, they're kind of loud but a great pump.....the only caveat is that they are heat monsters! Also, make sure that you're maximizing return flow by using wider diameter piping with an I.D. of at least .60"

 

Eheim makes a great pump...heck, Eheim makes a great anything! I've yet to have an Eheim product I didn't like.

--AJ

 

You never told us how you were going to use the pump. Is it going to strictly be a return pump or are you going to create a manifold and feed reactors from it? What criterias do you have for the pump? Is cost an issue?

 

This will be my first crack at biulding a sump... I was planning on using it for a return pump alone,as I am not all that experienced on manifolds and such... If you have the ideas for the perfect Sump with a refugium, let me hear them... I just wanted ideas before I purchase a pump and a sump... as I need both and I am searching for these items reasonably priced.. And yes.. I believe in all honesty cost is always an issue...

Thanks for everyones ideas...

 

I forgot to add a couple of questions. How do you feel about noise and heat transfer? Some of the less efficient pumps create more heat than others. If you have heat issues, it might be worth getting something more efficient.

 

Low on noise and keep the heat down....

 

If you want a reliable pump that doesn't transfer a lot of heat and is quiet, Eheim is the way to go. For your tank, I would get a 1262. They cost a little more than a Mag pump but they are worth it in the long run. Try looking for a used one in the RC forums if you don't want to buy new.

 

Yeah I've never used an Eheim but I've always heard great things! Here's the sump I'm building for myself this summer.

The far right chamber is for a refugium, and the left side is where the skimmer and return line comes in.

 

Any thoughts about running 2 Ehiem 1262's each pulls 910GPH the reasoning for 2 in case 1 should fail...

 

That's quite an expensive backup pump.  Why don't you run an Eheim 1262 for a primary pump and then buy a used Mag pump or something comparable for a backup?  That way, you aren't sitting on an expensive pump.

 

In my opinion I would go with one of the Maxi-Jet Submersible Utility Pumps. The 4500 Model would get you about 1200 GPH at 70 watts and priced at $112 on Dr Fosters. I run the same model and the next size up. I have had no problems mechanically and they are very quiet. I have never noticed any temperature difference running the pumps either.

 

Was that done in Google SketchUp?  I wish I knew how to use that.  It looks like such a cool program but I just can't seem to figure it out.
--AJ