Which pump for a 54 corner bow RR with external refugium?

ReefandReefer · 08/02/2014, 03:55 PM

We'll I am getting closer to starting up my 54 corner and I am stuck on which pump would be the best for my setup. I need enough flow for the display and a 15gal refugium with eshopps nano overflow. The refugium is located behind the display in another room so the water does not travel very far. Just for kicks I am including the custom canopy that I made from 18g steel. Thanks for the much needed help. ( by the way I bought the tank used and it came with a rio 2100 which I think is too small to provide enough flow for a mainly sps mixed reef)

ReefandReefer · 08/02/2014, 04:00 PM

View of internals (so far) sorry for sideways pics iPhone won't post them right

ReefandReefer · 08/02/2014, 04:13 PM

So what do you think? 6in blower is going to suck air from other room, ether 250 or 400 radium, and some moonlights for nighttime viewing (still saving for the ballast, bulb and LEDs)

ReefandReefer · 08/02/2014, 04:16 PM

Refugium ( still lacking lights and plumbing)

myram · 08/02/2014, 08:55 PM

Internal or External pump?

How much head are you going to have?

I have a Panworld 50px on my tank, pushing approx. 9' of head, dialed back to around 250gph.

Remember...........your return pump isn't for all your flow, that's what wavemakers are for.

ReefandReefer · 08/02/2014, 10:11 PM

Internal, I have circulation pumps ready (aqueon fan pumps not the best) but my main question is a return for the two tanks, i live in a Modular home so the return travels at a minimum distance. From what I read the refugium
Needs a little flow vs the display which should sit at 600gph. I am a novice but this is not my first reef. I was thinking of a dc pump but I am worried about reliability so what would you use ?

ReefandReefer · 08/02/2014, 10:13 PM

By the way... 400 radium or 250 radium? Thanks

myram · 08/03/2014, 06:37 AM

On a 54 gal tank, you'll want to be around 250-300gph for turnover thru the sump.

Internal pumps.............Eheim and very good, Sicce are very good, both are silent and dependable.
The DC pumps are still very new, but seem to be doing OK. They just don't like a lot of head pressure, the flow drops off quickly.

08/02/2014, 08:55 PM	#5
myram #347, 19 years Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Biddeford, ME Posts: 1,714	Internal or External pump? How much head are you going to have? I have a Panworld 50px on my tank, pushing approx. 9' of head, dialed back to around 250gph. Remember...........your return pump isn't for all your flow, that's what wavemakers are for.

08/02/2014, 10:11 PM	#6
ReefandReefer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 40	Internal, I have circulation pumps ready (aqueon fan pumps not the best) but my main question is a return for the two tanks, i live in a Modular home so the return travels at a minimum distance. From what I read the refugium Needs a little flow vs the display which should sit at 600gph. I am a novice but this is not my first reef. I was thinking of a dc pump but I am worried about reliability so what would you use ?

08/02/2014, 10:13 PM	#7
ReefandReefer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 40	By the way... 400 radium or 250 radium? Thanks

08/03/2014, 06:37 AM	#8
myram #347, 19 years Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Biddeford, ME Posts: 1,714	On a 54 gal tank, you'll want to be around 250-300gph for turnover thru the sump. Internal pumps.............Eheim and very good, Sicce are very good, both are silent and dependable. The DC pumps are still very new, but seem to be doing OK. They just don't like a lot of head pressure, the flow drops off quickly.