How big return pump?

marekt · 11/30/2021, 09:09 PM

How big return pump do I need for 120g tank , internal overflow 1” drain , 1” return T pipe with dual loc line (1/2”), I bought Bubble magnus curve 7 protein skimmer, sump under tank , I’m planning on FOWLR for now

kfisc · 12/01/2021, 07:38 AM

I had really, really good luck with Eheim products; maybe a 1262?

marekt · 12/01/2021, 08:45 AM

Pump has 890GPH is that what I need 890GPH PUMP? Thanks

Vinny Kreyling · 12/01/2021, 09:37 AM

You will have to figure your head loss to come close to actual GPH into the tank.
However Eheim is a great pump.
There is a calculator here for that.

billdogg · 12/06/2021, 09:42 AM

With just a 1" drain (DURSO?) you will be able to handle about 300gph max without excessive noise. Assuming your sump is under the stand, you'll have about 4' of head pressure. Although the eheim 1262 is rated a little higher than that it is easy to reduce the flow a little with a ball or gate valve. Doing so will not harm the pump in any way.

FWIW - one of my 1262's I got in 1988 or so and it was used then. Other than yearly cleanings and a impeller replacement or two, it is still going strong. I use it as the return on my 120gDT but have a 1500gph overflow (2 x 1.5") and use a 3/4" return from it so it runs wide open.

Dan. · 12/06/2021, 03:10 PM

Eheim or Sicce, both great units.

Dan. · 12/06/2021, 03:11 PM

Here's a good read.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/conte...display%20tank).

marekt · 12/08/2021, 08:30 AM

What can I do to make bigger flow more than 300 gph ? Thanks

Vinny Kreyling · 12/08/2021, 09:55 AM

Get a bigger pump with more head pressure.
DO NOT reduce the pipe size from the return on the pump.

marekt · 12/08/2021, 10:29 AM

Fish store told me to get DC pump 1350-2100gph (I got) I want to get sump ecoshop 26g which is rated for 1250gph . I have bubble magus curve 7 skimmer. Will drain keep up with sump and return pump . Or should just get smaller pump 1200gph . 1” emergency 1” durso drain 1” return T with 2 lock lite .it’s so confusing thanks for responds

Vinny Kreyling · 12/08/2021, 02:10 PM

While a Durso might not keep up a Herbie style will, it handles more flow.
Be Sure to use a GATE VALVE.
A DC pump is usually variable flow & can be used to get the "right' flow.
As far as a sump, you want the biggest one that fits under the tank because they generally run around 1/2 full.

marekt · 12/08/2021, 07:31 PM

Is herbie more quiet than durso? Thank you

Vinny Kreyling · 12/09/2021, 08:55 AM

If it is tuned correctly it can be silent.
It is however a little harder to get there.

12/01/2021, 09:37 AM	#4
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	You will have to figure your head loss to come close to actual GPH into the tank. However Eheim is a great pump. There is a calculator here for that. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

12/06/2021, 09:42 AM	#5
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	With just a 1" drain (DURSO?) you will be able to handle about 300gph max without excessive noise. Assuming your sump is under the stand, you'll have about 4' of head pressure. Although the eheim 1262 is rated a little higher than that it is easy to reduce the flow a little with a ball or gate valve. Doing so will not harm the pump in any way. FWIW - one of my 1262's I got in 1988 or so and it was used then. Other than yearly cleanings and a impeller replacement or two, it is still going strong. I use it as the return on my 120gDT but have a 1500gph overflow (2 x 1.5") and use a 3/4" return from it so it runs wide open. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

12/08/2021, 09:55 AM	#9
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	Get a bigger pump with more head pressure. DO NOT reduce the pipe size from the return on the pump. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

12/08/2021, 02:10 PM	#11
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	While a Durso might not keep up a Herbie style will, it handles more flow. Be Sure to use a GATE VALVE. A DC pump is usually variable flow & can be used to get the "right' flow. As far as a sump, you want the biggest one that fits under the tank because they generally run around 1/2 full. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

12/09/2021, 08:55 AM	#13
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	If it is tuned correctly it can be silent. It is however a little harder to get there. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

12/01/2021, 07:38 AM	#2
kfisc Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 2,020	I had really, really good luck with Eheim products; maybe a 1262?

12/01/2021, 08:45 AM	#3
marekt Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: riverside ca Posts: 92	Pump has 890GPH is that what I need 890GPH PUMP? Thanks

12/06/2021, 03:10 PM	#6
Dan. Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 53	Eheim or Sicce, both great units.

12/06/2021, 03:11 PM	#7
Dan. Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 53	Here's a good read. https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/conte...display%20tank).

12/08/2021, 08:30 AM	#8
marekt Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: riverside ca Posts: 92	What can I do to make bigger flow more than 300 gph ? Thanks

12/08/2021, 10:29 AM	#10
marekt Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: riverside ca Posts: 92	Fish store told me to get DC pump 1350-2100gph (I got) I want to get sump ecoshop 26g which is rated for 1250gph . I have bubble magus curve 7 skimmer. Will drain keep up with sump and return pump . Or should just get smaller pump 1200gph . 1” emergency 1” durso drain 1” return T with 2 lock lite .it’s so confusing thanks for responds

12/08/2021, 07:31 PM	#12
marekt Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: riverside ca Posts: 92	Is herbie more quiet than durso? Thank you