Mag 9.5 pump too much for 65 gallon tank?

mikevangels · 03/25/2008, 12:45 AM

So I'm planning to use a Mag 9.5 as a return pump for my 65 gallon tank.

To me this seemed like a bit much as I have a 1 inch drain which should theoretically only drain about 600gph. Most people have told me that if the flow was too much I could just put a ball valve on the return line and regulate the flow that way.

Is this a common practice or should I get a smaller pump? Also would this cause my pump to burn out prematurely?

Thanks,

--Mike

sjm817 · 03/25/2008, 06:27 AM

You should get a smaller pump. What size is the sump? Target ~ 3 - 5x display size. 200 - 350 GPH or so. Mag5 would be good.

fraggin · 03/25/2008, 06:34 AM

i have a mag 9.5 running 8-10feet from the basement. theory was it has 14ft of lift,looking back i think i could have used a smaller one. i have it throttled back just a tad over 50%. to control the flow use a T back into your sump/fuge.

sd75i_bnsf · 03/25/2008, 10:36 AM

I have a Mag 9.5 hooked up to my 50 gallon tank. I have a ball valve above the pump but have it full open. I use a CPR overflow box with a 1inch drain and it has no problem with the flow from the pump. I ended up putting a ball valve at the bottom of the drain that is just barely closed to help with the gurgling sound. I have everything going into a 20 gallon long that I also use as a refugium.

ccoral · 03/25/2008, 11:34 AM

I would try to use the right pump for the given application without having to valve down or reducing tubing size. Mag 5 is almost 100 watts why use the extra power if you do not need it. 1" drain will accomidate the max. 600 GPH.
I use on my 47 gallon HF 12 that does 510 GPH at 6' head only 40 watts
Just a suggestion. Also rather than valving and reducing flow you can T the water off back to the sump and run a carbon reactor, UV, feed a skimmer if a RC type or a UV

03/25/2008, 12:45 AM	#1
mikevangels Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 30	Mag 9.5 pump too much for 65 gallon tank? So I'm planning to use a Mag 9.5 as a return pump for my 65 gallon tank. To me this seemed like a bit much as I have a 1 inch drain which should theoretically only drain about 600gph. Most people have told me that if the flow was too much I could just put a ball valve on the return line and regulate the flow that way. Is this a common practice or should I get a smaller pump? Also would this cause my pump to burn out prematurely? Thanks, --Mike

03/25/2008, 06:27 AM	#2
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	You should get a smaller pump. What size is the sump? Target ~ 3 - 5x display size. 200 - 350 GPH or so. Mag5 would be good. __________________ - Scott

03/25/2008, 06:34 AM	#3
fraggin DVRC Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: elverson,PA Posts: 589	i have a mag 9.5 running 8-10feet from the basement. theory was it has 14ft of lift,looking back i think i could have used a smaller one. i have it throttled back just a tad over 50%. to control the flow use a T back into your sump/fuge.

03/25/2008, 10:36 AM	#4
sd75i_bnsf Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Belgrade, MT Posts: 58	I have a Mag 9.5 hooked up to my 50 gallon tank. I have a ball valve above the pump but have it full open. I use a CPR overflow box with a 1inch drain and it has no problem with the flow from the pump. I ended up putting a ball valve at the bottom of the drain that is just barely closed to help with the gurgling sound. I have everything going into a 20 gallon long that I also use as a refugium.

03/25/2008, 11:34 AM	#5
ccoral Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 468	I would try to use the right pump for the given application without having to valve down or reducing tubing size. Mag 5 is almost 100 watts why use the extra power if you do not need it. 1" drain will accomidate the max. 600 GPH. I use on my 47 gallon HF 12 that does 510 GPH at 6' head only 40 watts Just a suggestion. Also rather than valving and reducing flow you can T the water off back to the sump and run a carbon reactor, UV, feed a skimmer if a RC type or a UV