Using smaller return pumps

rad1687 · 04/26/2011, 07:24 PM

If you have enough power heads creating circulation in the DT, what is the disadvantage of using a smaller return pump? Water will drain as quickly as it is pumped in, am I missing anything? Thanks.

Kyleben · 04/26/2011, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rad1687

If you have enough power heads creating circulation in the DT, what is the disadvantage of using a smaller return pump? Water will drain as quickly as it is pumped in, am I missing anything? Thanks.

I have 3 poweheads moving about 2200 gph in my 56 gallon tall tank. My sump houses my skimmer and a large fuge area.

depending on what you read it is actually better (in my opinion, there are people who will disagree) to have a lower flow return pump, However I have my heater still in my DT not in my sump.

The general rule for sumps is 5 to 10x DT volume/hour but that speed in a fuge can kill pods and so on.

rad1687 · 04/26/2011, 09:54 PM

So would a mag 7 on a 150 be way too weak?

Kyleben · 04/26/2011, 10:04 PM

correct me if im wrong but i think a mag 7 is like 1000gph?

rad1687 · 04/26/2011, 11:11 PM

700 gph base flow rate, but at 5.5', it would be about 410 gph.

Jim.mer · 04/26/2011, 11:18 PM

Your return pump circulates your tank, I don't think you need big pumps, If you've got lots of flow I think it would be fine

Kyleben · 04/26/2011, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim.mer

Your return pump circulates your tank, I don't think you need big pumps, If you've got lots of flow I think it would be fine

+1

thats the principal i used on my tank!

mcrist · 04/27/2011, 09:29 AM

You should always try to match the flow of your main pump (including head loss) to what your protein skimmer can process in the same amount of time. What skimmer do you have because that will answer your question?

bnumair · 04/27/2011, 09:41 AM

if u think its too much flow u can add a ball valve on ur return and dial it down a bit.

110galreef · 04/27/2011, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcrist

You should always try to match the flow of your main pump (including head loss) to what your protein skimmer can process in the same amount of time. What skimmer do you have because that will answer your question?

I like this concept within reason. I have 250g DT and 40g frag tank. My skimmer is being fed 360gph (sro xp-3000e). The skimmer could handle more like 500gph, but skims perfect at the 360gph. Plus params are near perfect!
PO4 ~ .0245
Nitrate: 0

My frag tank is feed about 125gph and my DT is feed about 650gph.
If i only had 360gph for DT, it would probably be a tad on the low side! haha
However blasting 10x's flow thru my sump of like 2500 gph would be way overkill!

rad1687 · 04/27/2011, 11:14 AM

I haven't picked out a skimmer yet, but if I get something that process about 400 gph, I should be ok to use the Mag7 as my return?

rad1687 · 04/27/2011, 11:21 AM

A reef octopus 6 is rated at 500gph, and for 150 gallon tank. Would this work?

Kyleben · 04/27/2011, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcrist

You should always try to match the flow of your main pump (including head loss) to what your protein skimmer can process in the same amount of time. What skimmer do you have because that will answer your question?

true story but if you have a fuge and your return pump moves too fast then you loose the benefit of the fuge right? if its just a sump with a skimmer, filter sock and heaters I agree, but if u add a fuge it seams like the flow is too high....maybe use a HOB skimmer?

mcrist · 04/27/2011, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rad1687

I haven't picked out a skimmer yet, but if I get something that process about 400 gph, I should be ok to use the Mag7 as my return?

If the head loss is no more than 5-6 feet, you should be fine. I am running at about 900 GPH for a 450 gallon tank.

mcrist · 04/27/2011, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rad1687

A reef octopus 6 is rated at 500gph, and for 150 gallon tank. Would this work?

Sorry I didn't see this post. You would be cutting it pretty close with a Mag 7 pump since they are only rated for 550 GPH at 2 foot of head.

rad1687 · 04/27/2011, 01:23 PM

Would that just mean that the water is skimmed more thoroughly, removing more waste if the return pump was running at 410 gph?

This seems to be the case with 110galreef running a 500gph skimmer with a 395gph, or am I misunderstanding?

Reefer-in-Jax · 04/27/2011, 01:25 PM

What goes down must come back up. You have to match the flow out with flow in. Unless you have a weir type overflow that dictates how much flow you have.

rad1687 · 04/27/2011, 01:30 PM

If its a herbie style overflow, can't the flow rate be controlled using the gate valve?

Crusty Old Shellback · 04/27/2011, 01:33 PM

It all depends on the setup. Currently I have a 30G sump that holds my skimmer and that feeds a 90G main sump. I'm using a Reeflo Dart as my return pump, about 1500 GPH. My skimmer is run by three Mag 9.5's.

I'm actually looking at going to a smaller skimmer designed for a 500G system. That way I'll have less flow thru the skimmer than I currently do and so I can lower my return pump and power consumption.

The biggest thing with flow thru your sump is to make sure that you sump is designe dto handle it. As for pods growing in the sump, all you need is some rocks for them to grow in. I have the output of my skimmer flowing directly into the 90 sump in a small section that also houese LR. The flow is massive and there is a ton of life in that area. I also have a DSB with some large peices of LR and again, there is a lot of life growing in there, even with all the flow thru my sump. It's been this way for about 7 years.

04/26/2011, 07:24 PM	#1
rad1687 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 622	Using smaller return pumps If you have enough power heads creating circulation in the DT, what is the disadvantage of using a smaller return pump? Water will drain as quickly as it is pumped in, am I missing anything? Thanks.

04/26/2011, 10:04 PM	#4
Kyleben Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 280	correct me if im wrong but i think a mag 7 is like 1000gph? __________________ 125 gallon mixed reef 20 gallon mixed nano "If you cant dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bull s***"

04/26/2011, 11:18 PM	#6
Jim.mer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: North Bay,Ont Posts: 235	Your return pump circulates your tank, I don't think you need big pumps, If you've got lots of flow I think it would be fine __________________ JBJ 12 in the works, I said to my self, my self I said, Maybe i'll go LED No my self said No, MH all the way Current Tank Info: 12 jbj settin up soon, no fish, just inverts, hermits,softies,LPS

04/27/2011, 09:29 AM	#8
mcrist Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania Posts: 1,598	You should always try to match the flow of your main pump (including head loss) to what your protein skimmer can process in the same amount of time. What skimmer do you have because that will answer your question? __________________ Mark Current Tank Info: 450 Gallon Peninsula

04/27/2011, 09:41 AM	#9
bnumair Dr. Reef at ur service Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa, Ok, USA Posts: 7,751 Blog Entries: 15	if u think its too much flow u can add a ball valve on ur return and dial it down a bit. __________________ Water Quality: NO3 0,Phos 0,Cal 440,Alk 7.5,Mag 1300 "Reef Fast, You Crash, Reef Slow, You Pass" Mike's Reef 3:16 Current Tank Info: 350g DT,95g sump, 50g Frag tank, 4800gph return 4x Sea swirls. 6x AI Vega Color. 200# Pukani rock, dual recirculating skimmer, Biopellet, GFO Carbon rx's, Cal rx. Closed loop. 1.5hp chiller, genesis renew. Apex & RKE

04/26/2011, 09:54 PM	#3
rad1687 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 622	So would a mag 7 on a 150 be way too weak?

04/26/2011, 11:11 PM	#5
rad1687 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 622	700 gph base flow rate, but at 5.5', it would be about 410 gph.

04/27/2011, 11:14 AM	#11
rad1687 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 622	I haven't picked out a skimmer yet, but if I get something that process about 400 gph, I should be ok to use the Mag7 as my return?

04/27/2011, 11:21 AM	#12
rad1687 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 622	A reef octopus 6 is rated at 500gph, and for 150 gallon tank. Would this work?

04/27/2011, 01:23 PM	#16
rad1687 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 622	Would that just mean that the water is skimmed more thoroughly, removing more waste if the return pump was running at 410 gph? This seems to be the case with 110galreef running a 500gph skimmer with a 395gph, or am I misunderstanding?

04/27/2011, 01:25 PM	#17
Reefer-in-Jax Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 5	What goes down must come back up. You have to match the flow out with flow in. Unless you have a weir type overflow that dictates how much flow you have.

04/27/2011, 01:30 PM	#18
rad1687 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 622	If its a herbie style overflow, can't the flow rate be controlled using the gate valve?

04/27/2011, 01:33 PM	#19
Crusty Old Shellback MASVC OG Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Home of the FREE, Thanks to the BRAVE! Posts: 5,089	It all depends on the setup. Currently I have a 30G sump that holds my skimmer and that feeds a 90G main sump. I'm using a Reeflo Dart as my return pump, about 1500 GPH. My skimmer is run by three Mag 9.5's. I'm actually looking at going to a smaller skimmer designed for a 500G system. That way I'll have less flow thru the skimmer than I currently do and so I can lower my return pump and power consumption. The biggest thing with flow thru your sump is to make sure that you sump is designe dto handle it. As for pods growing in the sump, all you need is some rocks for them to grow in. I have the output of my skimmer flowing directly into the 90 sump in a small section that also houese LR. The flow is massive and there is a ton of life in that area. I also have a DSB with some large peices of LR and again, there is a lot of life growing in there, even with all the flow thru my sump. It's been this way for about 7 years. __________________ Have you THANKED a Veteran lately for the freedoms you take for granted each day? Best quote ever! "This is a hobby for God sakes and so many people get so uptite. A "hobby" so it should be fun and not a cause to worry or go broke." Paul B Current Tank Info: Tankless for a while. RIP my 8+ yr old pair of Naso tangs, 4 + yr old Moorish Idol

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