Return Pump Help

OCCFan023 · 08/04/2006, 09:03 PM

Well I was discussing ealier wether orn ot to go with 1 in or 1 1/4 in bulkheads (as some may remember) but finally decided to go with 2 1 inch bulkheads that will both be overflows into my sump. Now that this is decided I cant decide wether or not to go with a mag 12 or 18 pump for best results and best sump usefullness.

At my head ft the mag 12 will push out 11 gph while the mag 18 will put out 1300 gph. I thought I was firm on going with a 12 but havent been able to find a used one and have a very good option on a 18. However I dont want to push my overflows to the max and want some leway... I dont really plan on using the sump return for flow addition in the tank but I dont mind it.

What I was wondering is a 18 going to push the 2 overflows (one dorso standpipe and one just open standpipe) to the absolute max and thereby hindering the overflows surface skimmering abiilty, or would a 18 be ok? Any advice and opinions is appreciated

thanks in advance

sjm817 · 08/04/2006, 09:09 PM

What size tank and sump? You do realize to get the max flow out of a mag, you need to double the outlet size which is 1.5" on a Mag9/12/18.

CeeGee · 08/04/2006, 10:25 PM

I would choose another return pump personally.

I was using a mag and replaced it with an eheim. I really couldn't afford it but I couldn't be happier. The noise from the mag was driving me insane. The eheim is silent.

I would find a nice external return pump for the amount of flow you are wanting to create with it. A mag that size will add so much heat to your water it wouldn't be funny. My tank temp dropped 3 degrees by replacing the mag with an eheim I went with a pump that didn't move as much water and had a lower wattage. I don't think you need a crazy amount of flow running through the sump and I use powerheads to create flow inside the main display.

I used to run a japanese engine iwaki and was very pleased with it.

Avast Marine · 08/04/2006, 10:33 PM

I second an ehiem as well. But if you get a good deal on a 18 and want to use it just put in a tee with a ball valve on your return line that goes back to the sump. This way you can run a closed loop back to the sump to bleed off any extra flow and no back pressure on the pump.

leeweber85 · 08/04/2006, 11:30 PM

On a 90 gallon (I'm assuming), you only need 3-5x the tank volume. So in your case you only need 270-450 gph. I would use an ocean runner 2500 or if you are really looking to push a lot of water throuh, the ocean runner 3500. Practically dead silent and very low power consumption. Cheaper than mags @ drs foster smith.

OCCFan023 · 08/05/2006, 07:35 AM

Both the ocean runner and the eheim are great pumps and I would love to use one, but I am really looking for a setup where I can avoid barb fittings and stick to stirctly pvc connections straight onto the pump (like the mag.) Now that I look back on it I probably should have just gone with a drilled sump so i could use an external pump (theres no way to use external pumps without a drilled sump correct, running pvc over the tank isnt a option?)

sjm817 · 08/05/2006, 08:14 AM

You can use PVC on the Eheim. A 3/4" MPT fitting screws right in.

Avast Marine · 08/05/2006, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by OCCFan023
Both the ocean runner and the eheim are great pumps and I would love to use one, but I am really looking for a setup where I can avoid barb fittings and stick to stirctly pvc connections straight onto the pump (like the mag.) Now that I look back on it I probably should have just gone with a drilled sump so i could use an external pump (theres no way to use external pumps without a drilled sump correct, running pvc over the tank isnt a option?)

You can use a external pump without a drilled sump. Just plumb over the top for the intake, put in a tee with a screw in plug so you can prime the pump, and then your good to go. Now you have many more options for a pump. I'd recomend a Panworld, or again an Ehiem run externally, a couple wrapps of pink teflon converts those metric fittings to NPT.

08/04/2006, 09:03 PM	#1
OCCFan023 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 50	Return Pump Help Well I was discussing ealier wether orn ot to go with 1 in or 1 1/4 in bulkheads (as some may remember) but finally decided to go with 2 1 inch bulkheads that will both be overflows into my sump. Now that this is decided I cant decide wether or not to go with a mag 12 or 18 pump for best results and best sump usefullness. At my head ft the mag 12 will push out 11 gph while the mag 18 will put out 1300 gph. I thought I was firm on going with a 12 but havent been able to find a used one and have a very good option on a 18. However I dont want to push my overflows to the max and want some leway... I dont really plan on using the sump return for flow addition in the tank but I dont mind it. What I was wondering is a 18 going to push the 2 overflows (one dorso standpipe and one just open standpipe) to the absolute max and thereby hindering the overflows surface skimmering abiilty, or would a 18 be ok? Any advice and opinions is appreciated thanks in advance

08/04/2006, 09:09 PM	#2
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	What size tank and sump? You do realize to get the max flow out of a mag, you need to double the outlet size which is 1.5" on a Mag9/12/18. __________________ - Scott

08/04/2006, 10:25 PM	#3
CeeGee Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: TN Posts: 3,272	I would choose another return pump personally. I was using a mag and replaced it with an eheim. I really couldn't afford it but I couldn't be happier. The noise from the mag was driving me insane. The eheim is silent. I would find a nice external return pump for the amount of flow you are wanting to create with it. A mag that size will add so much heat to your water it wouldn't be funny. My tank temp dropped 3 degrees by replacing the mag with an eheim I went with a pump that didn't move as much water and had a lower wattage. I don't think you need a crazy amount of flow running through the sump and I use powerheads to create flow inside the main display. I used to run a japanese engine iwaki and was very pleased with it. __________________ My algae WAS special. Current Tank Info: 75 gallon display, 40 gallon breeder sump, RLSS R6i, ATI Powermodule, Apex, Ecotech MP40's

08/04/2006, 10:33 PM	#4
Avast Marine RC Sponsor Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Northern VA Posts: 2,446	I second an ehiem as well. But if you get a good deal on a 18 and want to use it just put in a tee with a ball valve on your return line that goes back to the sump. This way you can run a closed loop back to the sump to bleed off any extra flow and no back pressure on the pump. __________________ Dan Don't rush art, you get bad art.

08/04/2006, 11:30 PM	#5
leeweber85 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa Posts: 2,482	On a 90 gallon (I'm assuming), you only need 3-5x the tank volume. So in your case you only need 270-450 gph. I would use an ocean runner 2500 or if you are really looking to push a lot of water throuh, the ocean runner 3500. Practically dead silent and very low power consumption. Cheaper than mags @ drs foster smith. __________________ -Lee Current Tank Info: 120g reef, 20g reef

08/05/2006, 07:35 AM	#6
OCCFan023 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: New Jersey Posts: 50	Both the ocean runner and the eheim are great pumps and I would love to use one, but I am really looking for a setup where I can avoid barb fittings and stick to stirctly pvc connections straight onto the pump (like the mag.) Now that I look back on it I probably should have just gone with a drilled sump so i could use an external pump (theres no way to use external pumps without a drilled sump correct, running pvc over the tank isnt a option?)

08/05/2006, 08:14 AM	#7
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	You can use PVC on the Eheim. A 3/4" MPT fitting screws right in. __________________ - Scott