125g return pump ?

chris1292 · 01/21/2013, 08:47 PM

i have a 125g sps dominant reef with two overflow boxes, 4 x 1300gph power heads and 1 mag12 return. can i add a second mag12 return? have one run to each overflow box? reason for doing so would be more flow and a back up pump just incase one fails.

hollister · 01/22/2013, 12:54 AM

Sounds like alot of flow already. Maybe just another powerhead for spot flow.

chris1292 · 01/22/2013, 05:02 PM

I mainly want it as a back up return. When my power flashes the pump i have now sometimes does not start back up.

phxreefer · 01/22/2013, 07:23 PM

well you can have as much return flow as your drains can handle. One problem you may run in to is as you reach the limit of the drains capacity more water will be held in the display. this will increase the drain back on a power down. If your sump can handle it then no problem.

Another thing to consider, IMO there is no reason to circulate more water to the sump that you need to. If you are passing more water than the filters can handle(skimmer,fuge,reactors,ATS, etc.) you are wasting energy and adding heat. ultimatly you can do whatever you want but I think I would replace your pump unless you have a need for more water flow to the sump.

chris1292 · 01/22/2013, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phxreefer

well you can have as much return flow as your drains can handle. One problem you may run in to is as you reach the limit of the drains capacity more water will be held in the display. this will increase the drain back on a power down. If your sump can handle it then no problem.

Another thing to consider, IMO there is no reason to circulate more water to the sump that you need to. If you are passing more water than the filters can handle(skimmer,fuge,reactors,ATS, etc.) you are wasting energy and adding heat. ultimatly you can do whatever you want but I think I would replace your pump unless you have a need for more water flow to the sump.

Is there a way to tell how much your drains can handle? Right now the flow though my sump seems pretty slow. Then again I never really looked into whats slow or fast for a sump

phxreefer · 01/22/2013, 11:21 PM

One way is to block one of them and see if just one will handle all of the flow.

01/21/2013, 08:47 PM	#1
chris1292 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: chicago, il Posts: 277	125g return pump ? i have a 125g sps dominant reef with two overflow boxes, 4 x 1300gph power heads and 1 mag12 return. can i add a second mag12 return? have one run to each overflow box? reason for doing so would be more flow and a back up pump just incase one fails.

01/22/2013, 12:54 AM	#2
hollister Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 2,037	Sounds like alot of flow already. Maybe just another powerhead for spot flow.

01/22/2013, 05:02 PM	#3
chris1292 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: chicago, il Posts: 277	I mainly want it as a back up return. When my power flashes the pump i have now sometimes does not start back up.

01/22/2013, 07:23 PM	#4
phxreefer Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 146	well you can have as much return flow as your drains can handle. One problem you may run in to is as you reach the limit of the drains capacity more water will be held in the display. this will increase the drain back on a power down. If your sump can handle it then no problem. Another thing to consider, IMO there is no reason to circulate more water to the sump that you need to. If you are passing more water than the filters can handle(skimmer,fuge,reactors,ATS, etc.) you are wasting energy and adding heat. ultimatly you can do whatever you want but I think I would replace your pump unless you have a need for more water flow to the sump.

01/22/2013, 11:21 PM	#6
phxreefer Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 146	One way is to block one of them and see if just one will handle all of the flow.