Return pump [need help please]

pencilcup · 04/10/2006, 06:26 AM

I am starting my salt water world. Currently, I have a 210g, 60g sump, CS400 skimmer. I am not sure what volume of the return pump my tank should need.
Please help. I prefer to have in sump pump. I will put the sump/skimmer in the stand.

Thanks

Andrew · 04/10/2006, 06:29 AM

To Reef Central

Well, how many gph can your overflow(s) handle all together?

pencilcup · 04/10/2006, 06:54 AM

2x1200gph

Andrew · 04/10/2006, 06:57 AM

A Mag 18 would give you 1800 gph. A mag 24 would give you 2400 gph.

pencilcup · 04/10/2006, 07:20 AM

Andrew, I knew that but which one should I buy - that I don't know

Andrew · 04/10/2006, 07:22 AM

If you're pumping up higher then that will slow down the rate of the mag 24 and make it so your overflows can handle it or you could put a ball value on it to slow it down a little so the overflows aren't on full. The mag 18 would make it so you wouldn't have to worry about putting too much flow through the overflows.

MarkD40 · 04/10/2006, 08:05 AM

How high is the top of the tank from the bottom of your sump? Return flow drops dramatically as the head increases. I have found that the gph for a given head reported by the manufacturer is very optimistic, and when you add the friction from water flow through your return tubing and fittings the amount of water that enters the display is much less than you expected or hoped for. E

ven with a minimal head a 210 gallon should be able to handle the flow from a mag 12. You can always add a ball valve to reduce the flow. IMO I would get the bigger pump. I started my tank with a pump I thought would have plenty of juice but found it to be way inadequate. I replaced it with a genX 70 high pressure pump and I was scared it would pump more water than my overflow could handle based on the stated gph output for the pump but it still does not return as much water per hour to my display as I had hoped. (Although it is far better then the pump it replaced. )

pencilcup · 04/10/2006, 08:30 AM

The height is 6.3".
It sounds like I have to choose something in between 1800gph-2400gph. I just wonder if I will have problem with my sump (60g). Will 1800gph be too much flow through the sump? I am sure the insump skimmer will not happy with the busy sump.
Please forgive me for this silly question. Why do i have to have a high volume water return?

Thanks

gvibes · 04/10/2006, 08:48 AM

Generally, I've heard 3-5x tank volume, so you should be thinking 600-1000 gph. I would get an eheim 1262.

sjm817 · 04/10/2006, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by gvibes
Generally, I've heard 3-5x tank volume, so you should be thinking 600-1000 gph. I would get an eheim 1262.

Good advice. You do not want a huge return pump. Its a very common mistake. I'd also say the 1262 would be good.

Alaskan Reefer · 04/10/2006, 11:24 AM

Eheim 1262.

pencilcup · 04/10/2006, 11:28 AM

Thank you all. I now have an idea what to buy.

04/10/2006, 06:26 AM	#1
pencilcup Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 65	Return pump [need help please] I am starting my salt water world. Currently, I have a 210g, 60g sump, CS400 skimmer. I am not sure what volume of the return pump my tank should need. Please help. I prefer to have in sump pump. I will put the sump/skimmer in the stand. Thanks

04/10/2006, 08:05 AM	#7
MarkD40 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 647	How high is the top of the tank from the bottom of your sump? Return flow drops dramatically as the head increases. I have found that the gph for a given head reported by the manufacturer is very optimistic, and when you add the friction from water flow through your return tubing and fittings the amount of water that enters the display is much less than you expected or hoped for. E ven with a minimal head a 210 gallon should be able to handle the flow from a mag 12. You can always add a ball valve to reduce the flow. IMO I would get the bigger pump. I started my tank with a pump I thought would have plenty of juice but found it to be way inadequate. I replaced it with a genX 70 high pressure pump and I was scared it would pump more water than my overflow could handle based on the stated gph output for the pump but it still does not return as much water per hour to my display as I had hoped. (Although it is far better then the pump it replaced. ) __________________ My ship came in. Unfortunately it hit a reef. Current Tank Info: 110 gallon reef display tank, fish, LPS, SPS and mushrooms. A 75 gallon sump in basement with protein skimmer, 40watt UV sterilizer, RO/DI, refugium with chaeto, phosban reactor. 40 gallon frag tank.

04/10/2006, 11:24 AM	#11
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	Eheim 1262. __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress

04/10/2006, 06:29 AM	#2
Andrew Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 13,640	*To Reef Central* Well, how many gph can your overflow(s) handle all together?

04/10/2006, 06:54 AM	#3
pencilcup Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 65	2x1200gph

04/10/2006, 06:57 AM	#4
Andrew Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 13,640	A Mag 18 would give you 1800 gph. A mag 24 would give you 2400 gph.

04/10/2006, 07:20 AM	#5
pencilcup Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 65	Andrew, I knew that but which one should I buy - that I don't know

04/10/2006, 07:22 AM	#6
Andrew Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 13,640	If you're pumping up higher then that will slow down the rate of the mag 24 and make it so your overflows can handle it or you could put a ball value on it to slow it down a little so the overflows aren't on full. The mag 18 would make it so you wouldn't have to worry about putting too much flow through the overflows.

04/10/2006, 08:30 AM	#8
pencilcup Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 65	The height is 6.3". It sounds like I have to choose something in between 1800gph-2400gph. I just wonder if I will have problem with my sump (60g). Will 1800gph be too much flow through the sump? I am sure the insump skimmer will not happy with the busy sump. Please forgive me for this silly question. Why do i have to have a high volume water return? Thanks

04/10/2006, 08:48 AM	#9
gvibes Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 239	Generally, I've heard 3-5x tank volume, so you should be thinking 600-1000 gph. I would get an eheim 1262.

04/10/2006, 11:28 AM	#12
pencilcup Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 65	Thank you all. I now have an idea what to buy.