Planning a 180. Need imput.

[kv2wr1]

I'm planning a 180g RR (dual overflows) with a 40B sump. It will start out a FOWLR and eventually end up as a reef at some point most likely.

Question 1. Should I use 1 or 2 return pumps.

I can't decide what would be better. I plan on running GFO and carbon reactors. Head loss would be about 5-6 feet. Should 1 have one powerful pump for both overflows and to power the reactors via a manifold. Or should I get two pumps (one for each overflow) and run separate reactor pumps like MJ1200's. I'm looking at the mag series pumps.

Question 2. Should I plumb the overflows using a herbie method or should I just plumb them like a standard overflow with one drain and one return?

Thanks.

[reefermad619]

One return pump. IMO, mags suck. They use lots of power and there are better, quieter, and more energy efficient pumps out there. Mags will run forever, and if you already have one, use it. But there are better pumps.


Dursos suck. Herbie and the bean are the business! Once you use one of them, you'll never go back.

Also, for the sump, why not go bigger? You could fit a 60 under there easily. I'm in the process of building my 180 too. Its a 6'x2'x2'. Skinning the stand now. Any Qs you've got, I'll answer to the best of my ability. And remember, this is only MY opinion. So take it for what you think it's worth. GL.

[kv2wr1]

Thanks I'm looking for all the opinions and advice I can get right now.

This is my first reef ready tank. Before I had all in ones and hang on back overflow boxes. I want to plan this tank right before I go out and buy all the equipment to realize later that I should have done something differently. The reason I am thinking about mag drives is that a guy I know has had one for over 30 years and it still is running with no problems. What do you plan on running in your 180? How will you plumb yours?

A guy from my local reef club did this on his 185g and I have thought about doing this too.

[aleonn]

On my 180, I prefer Herbie much more than Durso. I'd also get one main return pump. Eheim 1262 or Water Blaster HY-5000. My WB HY-7000 is a bit too much flow, even while powering one TLF phosban 550 reactor.

[jordancemery65]

I have a mag drive and it has been working now for three years without a single problem! Just make sure you put a union on each end that way in case something does happen you have a quick disconnect so that you can replace it or just fix it!

[tkeracer619]

I assume this is not going to have a ton of lighting on it to start off with. Don't be concerned with wattage of pumps unless you have a heat issue. You have to heat your tank so you might as well do it with the pumps vs heaters.

Obviously you don't want to overdue it and still need to run a heater but balancing the tank so the heater isn't on with pump wattage is free water turnover.

A better return pump would be an Ehiem 1262 but the mags are fine.

The new maxijets are crap. If you want a maxijet buy the Cobalt brand pump. It is the classic maxijet we have come to love. Marineland should be ashamed of themselves by transferring manufacturing from Italy to China... big mistake.

[divewsharks]

I'm with reefermad, why not go with a bigger sump?
I run my reactors with separate pumps for easier maintenance.

[LA-Lawman]

I would plan the system for a reef even though you are gonna run a FOWLR.

Get a good sump, plan ahead... think big, and think a refugium, get a good pump.. focus on great filtration. Great skimmer, a few media reactors....

return pump, get a good one, just run it to get enough turnover to be efficient and quiet, and use good modes of in tank circulation. The better you spend your money now. the less you will spend upgrading....