New 120 Gal Set-Up Advice

wardworld · 10/10/2006, 01:28 PM

I'm setting up a new 120 Gal AGA w/ twin megaflow returns. Any advice on the following:
1. Return pump (brand and gph - the overflows are rated for 1200 gph) - I hope to use a 38 gal sump/fuge
2. Skimmer - the one I currently have simply won't cut it.
I have no brand preference on either and that's why I want some solid advice from those that use them.
Thanks,
Daryl

sjm817 · 10/10/2006, 02:02 PM

Pump, Eheim 1260

Skimmer is more involved. Price range? Max height? Footprint? In sump?

slovan · 10/10/2006, 02:33 PM

I'd get an Eheim 1262 for an extra $10. I had one on my 120 and it worked great. You could always restrict the output if you feel it's too much but I personally ran mine wide open.

Plus if you ever upgraded in tank size, you could always reuse the pump without having to upgrade from a smaller one.

McCrary · 10/10/2006, 03:30 PM

The return pump size is less dependent on the tank size and more dependent on the sump size. With a 38 gallon sump a 1260 should do it. I use a 1262 on my 110, but the flow is divided between my display and fuge.

wardworld · 10/10/2006, 03:43 PM

I've heard good things about the eheim...so I'll probably go w/ the 1260...as far as skimmer, my price range is between $250-$350, it will be in the sump, and the max height I would guestimate at about 20-25" (my cabinet is 28" tall).
Thanks,

wardworld · 10/10/2006, 03:44 PM

on second thought, maybe the 1262 for a few bucks more is worth it

sjm817 · 10/10/2006, 04:26 PM

IMO, the 1262 will have too much flow. You will need to cut it back.

For a skimer in that price range and height,
Euro-Reef RS135
Octopus NW200

wardworld · 10/10/2006, 04:43 PM

sjm817, thanks for the info...pardon my ignorance about this (but I'm learning), but would the fact that the pump return will be split into two overflows when it returns factor into this at all?

jaeden · 10/10/2006, 07:25 PM

Also setting up 125 aga I used the eheim 1260

sjm817 · 10/10/2006, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ward world
sjm817, thanks for the info...pardon my ignorance about this (but I'm learning), but would the fact that the pump return will be split into two overflows when it returns factor into this at all?

Not at all. Ask lots of questions. The 1262 would put ~ 750 - 800 GPH through a 38G sump. Lots of display-> sump flow can be very noisy, can creates bubbles that make it make to the display and look bad. The 1260 would be more like 400 - 450 GPH which is much more reasonable.

10/10/2006, 01:28 PM	#1
wardworld Gonna Need A Bigger Tank Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Lakeland, FL Posts: 1,398	New 120 Gal Set-Up Advice I'm setting up a new 120 Gal AGA w/ twin megaflow returns. Any advice on the following: 1. Return pump (brand and gph - the overflows are rated for 1200 gph) - I hope to use a 38 gal sump/fuge 2. Skimmer - the one I currently have simply won't cut it. I have no brand preference on either and that's why I want some solid advice from those that use them. Thanks, Daryl

10/10/2006, 02:02 PM	#2
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	Pump, Eheim 1260 Skimmer is more involved. Price range? Max height? Footprint? In sump? __________________ - Scott

10/10/2006, 03:30 PM	#4
McCrary Can't Stop Time Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,079	The return pump size is less dependent on the tank size and more dependent on the sump size. With a 38 gallon sump a 1260 should do it. I use a 1262 on my 110, but the flow is divided between my display and fuge. __________________ Matt Patience is the best remedy for every trouble. Titus Maccius Plautus (254 BC - 184 BC), Rudens

10/10/2006, 03:43 PM	#5
wardworld Gonna Need A Bigger Tank Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Lakeland, FL Posts: 1,398	I've heard good things about the eheim...so I'll probably go w/ the 1260...as far as skimmer, my price range is between $250-$350, it will be in the sump, and the max height I would guestimate at about 20-25" (my cabinet is 28" tall). Thanks, __________________ -Daryl Current Tank Info: 180 gallon / 100 gallon rubbermaid sump / 40 gallon fuge / I-Tech 200 skimmer

10/10/2006, 03:44 PM	#6
wardworld Gonna Need A Bigger Tank Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Lakeland, FL Posts: 1,398	on second thought, maybe the 1262 for a few bucks more is worth it __________________ -Daryl Current Tank Info: 180 gallon / 100 gallon rubbermaid sump / 40 gallon fuge / I-Tech 200 skimmer

10/10/2006, 02:33 PM	#3
slovan Gold Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: IA Posts: 3,544 Blog Entries: 1	I'd get an Eheim 1262 for an extra $10. I had one on my 120 and it worked great. You could always restrict the output if you feel it's too much but I personally ran mine wide open. Plus if you ever upgraded in tank size, you could always reuse the pump without having to upgrade from a smaller one.

10/10/2006, 04:26 PM	#7
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	IMO, the 1262 will have too much flow. You will need to cut it back. For a skimer in that price range and height, Euro-Reef RS135 Octopus NW200 __________________ - Scott

10/10/2006, 04:43 PM	#8
wardworld Gonna Need A Bigger Tank Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Lakeland, FL Posts: 1,398	sjm817, thanks for the info...pardon my ignorance about this (but I'm learning), but would the fact that the pump return will be split into two overflows when it returns factor into this at all? __________________ -Daryl Current Tank Info: 180 gallon / 100 gallon rubbermaid sump / 40 gallon fuge / I-Tech 200 skimmer

10/10/2006, 07:25 PM	#9
jaeden Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Hollywood Fl Posts: 356	Also setting up 125 aga I used the eheim 1260