Pump sizing for my 45g tank

byee · 11/02/2013, 09:03 PM

I'm in the process of setting up my 45g cube with a 25g cube for a sump. Probably utilize 18g of the sump.

The head height from sump to the returns is 4'.

What size pump of I need for my sump? Is the Mag 5 @ 310gph at 4' adequate or should I consider the Mag 7 @ 475gph?

Thanks!

Meanie · 11/02/2013, 10:11 PM

THe flow you are quoting is that at the 4' head or 0' head? I am assuming at 4' head. In which case I would go with the Mag7.

moondoggy4 · 11/02/2013, 10:27 PM

second it Mag 7

dppitone · 11/03/2013, 03:09 AM

The flow on the mfr charts is accomplished by using a return tube from the pump to the tank that is twice the diameter of the output size on the pump. So if the Mag has a 3/4" output for example, their basing it on stepping up to a 1 1/2" tube. That's the most efficient way to move water from the pump. So if you're using anything less, the flow will be a good bit less as well. IMO it's alway better to go a bit bigger and then T the return back to the sump so you can control the flow.

byee · 11/03/2013, 09:07 PM

Thank you for everyone's advice.

I now have a Mag 7 for my 45g cube. I'll be using a 1" pipe on the 1/2"FPT on the pump.

11/02/2013, 09:03 PM	#1
byee Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Coquitlam, BC Posts: 115	Pump sizing for my 45g tank I'm in the process of setting up my 45g cube with a 25g cube for a sump. Probably utilize 18g of the sump. The head height from sump to the returns is 4'. What size pump of I need for my sump? Is the Mag 5 @ 310gph at 4' adequate or should I consider the Mag 7 @ 475gph? Thanks!

11/02/2013, 10:11 PM	#2
Meanie Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 50	THe flow you are quoting is that at the 4' head or 0' head? I am assuming at 4' head. In which case I would go with the Mag7.

11/02/2013, 10:27 PM	#3
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	second it Mag 7

11/03/2013, 03:09 AM	#4
dppitone Registered Member. Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Queen Village, Phila. Posts: 1,697	The flow on the mfr charts is accomplished by using a return tube from the pump to the tank that is twice the diameter of the output size on the pump. So if the Mag has a 3/4" output for example, their basing it on stepping up to a 1 1/2" tube. That's the most efficient way to move water from the pump. So if you're using anything less, the flow will be a good bit less as well. IMO it's alway better to go a bit bigger and then T the return back to the sump so you can control the flow.

11/03/2013, 09:07 PM	#5
byee Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Coquitlam, BC Posts: 115	Thank you for everyone's advice. I now have a Mag 7 for my 45g cube. I'll be using a 1" pipe on the 1/2"FPT on the pump.