Need help deciding on a return pump.

XSiVE · 08/13/2008, 07:21 PM

so.. I'm doing an upgrade from my old 55 to a 120-in-wall. The 120 is an AGA with dual overflows and dual returns drilled into the bottom. I will want to use both returns. It doesnt need to pump a ton of water into the display, as I will be using Koralia's for circulation.

The pump will gets it's water from my 55gal, which will be turned into the sump.

I also want to plumb in a frag tank & refugium, each one will have its own power head for better circulation.

I'd prefer an external pump but Im open to options at this point. I'd also like something that isn't a total energy hog.

The height of the top of the display tank will be 5ft 4in, im sure the frag tank and 'fuge will be lower than that, probably something like 36-40 inches high, but it may have a bit of a horizontal run after the lift.

I'm thinking right off the outlet I'd have a 3-way split, 2 would go to the display returns and one (with a ball valve inline)would feed the fuge + frag tank.

so... what kind of pump would any of you recommend?

I've currently got a Rio 2100+ that I may consider using to just feed the 'fuge and frag tank... but once again, running 2 pumps will probably be more energy consumption, and more heat into the tank than one.

trippkid · 08/13/2008, 08:20 PM

I know it isn't an external per say, but I've used both a Mag 12 and an 18 on my tank(same as yours), I'm using the 18 now. No issues ever with the mags, at least for me, they do consume some power though(110wt for the 12 and 145 for the 18). Good luck with your conversion.

Matt

XSiVE · 08/13/2008, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by trippkid
I know it isn't an external per say, but I've used both a Mag 12 and an 18 on my tank(same as yours), I'm using the 18 now. No issues ever with the mags, at least for me, they do consume some power though(110wt for the 12 and 145 for the 18). Good luck with your conversion.
Matt

Yah I was looking at the mags at the LFS today and figure they are pretty good pumps..

and most of the pumps Im looking at on MarineDepot that are external consume about the same amount of power..

Anyone else have some advice on other good brands that arent going to price me out of the market for other tank parts?

AJDuran · 08/13/2008, 10:31 PM

These aren't external pumps you can try the Rio HF line of submersible pumps the 26 uses 100w and is rated for 1140 gph at 6 ft head, the 20 has 870gph at 6 ft. and only uses 60w. i'm using the 32 or 26 on my new tank. just another option hope it helps

AJDuran · 08/13/2008, 10:35 PM

oh and they are all under 100 bucks

pjf · 08/13/2008, 10:45 PM

Will your sump tank have 3 compartments with a return in the middle?

If so, my advice is to only split the return 2 ways for the 2 returns. One overflow can feed the refugium and the other overflow can feed the frag tank. This will keep things simpler and more symmetrical. Your return pump should be submersed in the back of the middle compartment to keep the tubing towards the back.

If an external pump is connected to the front of the middle compartment, it will be hard to close your cabinet doors and the tubing will be in your way.

External pumps should be connected to the right side of a tank with the bulkhead towards the back like this:

Be sure to oversize the bulkhead and 90-degree elbow. If the pump connectors are 1-inch diameter, the bulkhead and elbow should be 1.25" diameter.

XSiVE · 08/13/2008, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pjf
Will your sump tank have 3 compartments with a return in the middle?

Be sure to oversize the bulkhead and 90-degree elbow. If the pump connectors are 1-inch diameter, the bulkhead and elbow should be 1.25" diameter.

Nah, the sump will be only that, a sump.. I plan on using a completely separate aquarium for the 'fuge..

Thanks for the tip though, on the fittings! I appreciate any info I can get.

XSiVE · 08/13/2008, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AJDuran
These aren't external pumps you can try the Rio HF line of submersible pumps the 26 uses 100w and is rated for 1140 gph at 6 ft head, the 20 has 870gph at 6 ft. and only uses 60w. i'm using the 32 or 26 on my new tank. just another option hope it helps

Thanks, I will look in to these also.

eddnyster · 08/13/2008, 11:12 PM

Some piece of advice that I feel I MUST pass on to you is that purchasing a RIO will be a big mistake. Sure they're economical, cheap (in every sense of the word), and good flow rates...it's all too good to be true. This case is no exception. Get a better quality pump like the eheim or oceanrunner. Mags are supreme pumps but run rather warn and are a produce a little "above normal" noise for some people.

XSiVE · 08/13/2008, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by eddnyster
Some piece of advice that I feel I MUST pass on to you is that purchasing a RIO will be a big mistake. Sure they're economical, cheap (in every sense of the word), and good flow rates...it's all too good to be true. This case is no exception. Get a better quality pump like the eheim or oceanrunner. Mags are supreme pumps but run rather warn and are a produce a little "above normal" noise for some people.

Thank you for this advice. I have a Rio 2100+ as the return pump on my 55g right now, it seems to do OK... but Ive yet to try and service it

The tank is going in a wall in the basement, with the fish room being part of a storage room, so the noise level of the pump(s) or anything else isnt really an issue.. and heat is less of one

Seems the simple mag might be a good option.. and they are pretty inexpensive compared to the external-only pumps.

ant1k · 08/13/2008, 11:52 PM

i have the same 120 as you. using both returns that are just tee'd off to each return, I have a reeflo dart pushing water through everything, bout 300-400 going through my sump and the rest going to my tank, the tank top adds about 5ft of head pressure buts its still plenty to keep up with the overflows and create good flow. return pipes are all 1.5" by the way.

08/13/2008, 07:21 PM	#1
XSiVE Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Waterford, MI Posts: 790	Need help deciding on a return pump. so.. I'm doing an upgrade from my old 55 to a 120-in-wall. The 120 is an AGA with dual overflows and dual returns drilled into the bottom. I will want to use both returns. It doesnt need to pump a ton of water into the display, as I will be using Koralia's for circulation. The pump will gets it's water from my 55gal, which will be turned into the sump. I also want to plumb in a frag tank & refugium, each one will have its own power head for better circulation. I'd prefer an external pump but Im open to options at this point. I'd also like something that isn't a total energy hog. The height of the top of the display tank will be 5ft 4in, im sure the frag tank and 'fuge will be lower than that, probably something like 36-40 inches high, but it may have a bit of a horizontal run after the lift. I'm thinking right off the outlet I'd have a 3-way split, 2 would go to the display returns and one (with a ball valve inline)would feed the fuge + frag tank. so... what kind of pump would any of you recommend? I've currently got a Rio 2100+ that I may consider using to just feed the 'fuge and frag tank... but once again, running 2 pumps will probably be more energy consumption, and more heat into the tank than one.

08/13/2008, 10:35 PM	#5
AJDuran Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 846	oh and they are all under 100 bucks __________________ -Ashby Current Tank Info: 30g currently being transferred to a 60 cube

08/13/2008, 08:20 PM	#2
trippkid Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lewisberry, PA Posts: 913	I know it isn't an external per say, but I've used both a Mag 12 and an 18 on my tank(same as yours), I'm using the 18 now. No issues ever with the mags, at least for me, they do consume some power though(110wt for the 12 and 145 for the 18). Good luck with your conversion. Matt

08/13/2008, 10:31 PM	#4
AJDuran Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 846	These aren't external pumps you can try the Rio HF line of submersible pumps the 26 uses 100w and is rated for 1140 gph at 6 ft head, the 20 has 870gph at 6 ft. and only uses 60w. i'm using the 32 or 26 on my new tank. just another option hope it helps

08/13/2008, 10:45 PM	#6
pjf Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,954	Will your sump tank have 3 compartments with a return in the middle? If so, my advice is to only split the return 2 ways for the 2 returns. One overflow can feed the refugium and the other overflow can feed the frag tank. This will keep things simpler and more symmetrical. Your return pump should be submersed in the back of the middle compartment to keep the tubing towards the back. If an external pump is connected to the front of the middle compartment, it will be hard to close your cabinet doors and the tubing will be in your way. External pumps should be connected to the right side of a tank with the bulkhead towards the back like this: Be sure to oversize the bulkhead and 90-degree elbow. If the pump connectors are 1-inch diameter, the bulkhead and elbow should be 1.25" diameter.

08/13/2008, 11:12 PM	#9
eddnyster Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Whitter, CA Posts: 275	Some piece of advice that I feel I MUST pass on to you is that purchasing a RIO will be a big mistake. Sure they're economical, cheap (in every sense of the word), and good flow rates...it's all too good to be true. This case is no exception. Get a better quality pump like the eheim or oceanrunner. Mags are supreme pumps but run rather warn and are a produce a little "above normal" noise for some people.

08/13/2008, 11:52 PM	#11
ant1k Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 98	i have the same 120 as you. using both returns that are just tee'd off to each return, I have a reeflo dart pushing water through everything, bout 300-400 going through my sump and the rest going to my tank, the tank top adds about 5ft of head pressure buts its still plenty to keep up with the overflows and create good flow. return pipes are all 1.5" by the way.