Need opinions on pump set-up.

ERICinFL · 09/19/2009, 08:19 AM

I'm slowly getting the additional equipment I need for my 150 upgrade. I'm going to use a 55gal tank for my sump/fuge and I want to use an external pump. I currently have a Mag12 that I run in sump and I have another Mag12 just sitting in the garage. I know I'll need more flow than a single Mag12, so I was going to run both Mag12s externally, until I can afford to buy a larger, more efficient pump. I don't want to drill two holes in my sump, since I'll eventually just need one. Would it be worth it, to just use one large bulkhead and "Y" it off to both pumps? If so, how large should I go? I know I'll need 3/4in. reducers to the pumps, but I'm thinking the next pump I purchase will have at least a 1in. input. Thanks for your time.

Beefer · 09/19/2009, 08:31 AM

I run only a single mag12 (in-sump) as my return, and I have a 180g display. I don't see the need to run any more flow through my sump. I keep 6 powerheads in the display.

You could sell the (2) mag12s and get a mag18 that will fit 3/4" pvc. I'm not a big fan of the y-splitter idea.

Playa-1 · 09/19/2009, 09:04 AM

I wouldn't run a Mag pump externally. They are known to spring leaks. a leak is not a big deal in the sump and the pumps are relatively inexpensive. But a leak externally is a big deal. These pumps are also known to run a bit warm so that may or may not be an issue for you.
You could just run the plumbing up and out of the sump. You don't have to drill anything. I run an Eheim 1262 in the sump and my sump is not drilled.

ERICinFL · 09/20/2009, 01:06 PM

Well, living in FL, my tank get's up to 80-81F. I'm hoping it may help a degree or two, if I take the return pump out. I like the idea of running the tubing up and over the sump, but how much harder does it have to work drawing the water out and how much output pressure is lost doing it that way? Also, my stand will be 36in. tall, so I'm going to have more head loss than I do now. I figured my pump probably put's out about 900gph with the height it pumps to now, so I might loose a little more on the upgrade. That's why I want to run both temporarily, to make up the difference and gain some extra flow.

Playa-1 · 09/20/2009, 01:25 PM

I don't think it's going to make a difference in your pumps capacity because the head pressure is basically the same. The only difference is that the extra Mag may slightly increase your sump temp. I agree with Beefer in that a better option for you may be to use a little larger of an internal return pump and if you need additional flow then get it from a powerhead in the DT. I doubt that you're going to need that much volume going thru the sump.

ERICinFL · 09/22/2009, 11:48 AM

After much consideration, I'm going to drill the sump. I'll install a bulkhead and just cap it, to give myself more options. I'd rather have the hole there, should I decide to use it, than not have it and kick myself later. I'll see how one Mag12 works and go up from there if needed. I've got about 7620gph in powerheads right now and I'm planning on adding another 2600gph for the upgrade. That's about 68x turnover in the display, so I should be covered.

09/19/2009, 08:19 AM	#1
ERICinFL Rejisturd Mimbur Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Brevard County, FL Posts: 1,346	Need opinions on pump set-up. I'm slowly getting the additional equipment I need for my 150 upgrade. I'm going to use a 55gal tank for my sump/fuge and I want to use an external pump. I currently have a Mag12 that I run in sump and I have another Mag12 just sitting in the garage. I know I'll need more flow than a single Mag12, so I was going to run both Mag12s externally, until I can afford to buy a larger, more efficient pump. I don't want to drill two holes in my sump, since I'll eventually just need one. Would it be worth it, to just use one large bulkhead and "Y" it off to both pumps? If so, how large should I go? I know I'll need 3/4in. reducers to the pumps, but I'm thinking the next pump I purchase will have at least a 1in. input. Thanks for your time. __________________ Ummmm... yeah... don't touch the Mag Float. Sorry kids, your college fund is gone, but the tank looks SWEET right? Current Tank Info: 150gal mixed reef. ER CS135, 65gal sump/fuge with a Mag12 return. (2) Korillia 4s, (1) modded MJ1200, two SunSun 3200gph powerheads. 250+lbs LR.

09/20/2009, 01:06 PM	#4
ERICinFL Rejisturd Mimbur Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Brevard County, FL Posts: 1,346	Well, living in FL, my tank get's up to 80-81F. I'm hoping it may help a degree or two, if I take the return pump out. I like the idea of running the tubing up and over the sump, but how much harder does it have to work drawing the water out and how much output pressure is lost doing it that way? Also, my stand will be 36in. tall, so I'm going to have more head loss than I do now. I figured my pump probably put's out about 900gph with the height it pumps to now, so I might loose a little more on the upgrade. That's why I want to run both temporarily, to make up the difference and gain some extra flow. __________________ Ummmm... yeah... don't touch the Mag Float. Sorry kids, your college fund is gone, but the tank looks SWEET right? Current Tank Info: 150gal mixed reef. ER CS135, 65gal sump/fuge with a Mag12 return. (2) Korillia 4s, (1) modded MJ1200, two SunSun 3200gph powerheads. 250+lbs LR.

09/22/2009, 11:48 AM	#6
ERICinFL Rejisturd Mimbur Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Brevard County, FL Posts: 1,346	After much consideration, I'm going to drill the sump. I'll install a bulkhead and just cap it, to give myself more options. I'd rather have the hole there, should I decide to use it, than not have it and kick myself later. I'll see how one Mag12 works and go up from there if needed. I've got about 7620gph in powerheads right now and I'm planning on adding another 2600gph for the upgrade. That's about 68x turnover in the display, so I should be covered. __________________ Ummmm... yeah... don't touch the Mag Float. Sorry kids, your college fund is gone, but the tank looks SWEET right? Current Tank Info: 150gal mixed reef. ER CS135, 65gal sump/fuge with a Mag12 return. (2) Korillia 4s, (1) modded MJ1200, two SunSun 3200gph powerheads. 250+lbs LR.

09/19/2009, 08:31 AM	#2
Beefer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Detroit, Mi Posts: 65	I run only a single mag12 (in-sump) as my return, and I have a 180g display. I don't see the need to run any more flow through my sump. I keep 6 powerheads in the display. You could sell the (2) mag12s and get a mag18 that will fit 3/4" pvc. I'm not a big fan of the y-splitter idea.

09/19/2009, 09:04 AM	#3
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	I wouldn't run a Mag pump externally. They are known to spring leaks. a leak is not a big deal in the sump and the pumps are relatively inexpensive. But a leak externally is a big deal. These pumps are also known to run a bit warm so that may or may not be an issue for you. You could just run the plumbing up and out of the sump. You don't have to drill anything. I run an Eheim 1262 in the sump and my sump is not drilled.

09/20/2009, 01:25 PM	#5
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	I don't think it's going to make a difference in your pumps capacity because the head pressure is basically the same. The only difference is that the extra Mag may slightly increase your sump temp. I agree with Beefer in that a better option for you may be to use a little larger of an internal return pump and if you need additional flow then get it from a powerhead in the DT. I doubt that you're going to need that much volume going thru the sump.