new sump setup, thouroghly confused

ryeguyy84 · 03/25/2011, 02:38 PM

I started doing some research to setup a sump/refugium. I think I want to go with an Aqueon Proflex model 2 for my 50 Gallon tank and a lifereef 600GPH overflow. my question is what pump? I was thinking a mag 9.5, my tank is a little over 4 feet above where the return pump would be going so that's about 800gph flow that I could ball valve off. could I maybe get a mag 7? I'm just hearing different things from all the searches and I don't want over do it.

pmrossetti · 03/25/2011, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryeguyy84

I started doing some research to setup a sump/refugium. I think I want to go with an Aqueon Proflex model 2 for my 50 Gallon tank and a lifereef 600GPH overflow. my question is what pump? I was thinking a mag 9.5, my tank is a little over 4 feet above where the return pump would be going so that's about 800gph flow that I could ball valve off. could I maybe get a mag 7? I'm just hearing different things from all the searches and I don't want over do it.

1. Before you get the Aqueon look at the Trigger System sumps. They're much better imho.
2. You want 3-5 times your tank volume through your sump,so that's 150-250gph. It'll be much quieter and energy efficiient that way.

But it's your call.

ryeguyy84 · 03/25/2011, 03:00 PM

so I can choose whatever flow I want? thats the part I don't get, if I have a 600GPH overflow can I have a return pump pushing 250? I'm all about pumping less but I really like the reviews on the lifereef overflow.

ryeguyy84 · 03/25/2011, 03:02 PM

also my stand in 10 inches wide on the inside so that rules out the trigger system, and most standard aquariums as a sump.

davocean · 03/25/2011, 03:02 PM

600gph would be max that can handle, not neccessarilly what you want.
I agree, 3-5x turnover, and there are much better returns than mags(sorry mag peeps)
I prefer eheim.

ryeguyy84 · 03/25/2011, 03:04 PM

so do I have to somehow manually reduce the flow from the overflow? or will it somehow know to slow down? sorry for the noob questions.

davocean · 03/25/2011, 03:11 PM

It will only draw as fast as pump pushes water, no adjust needed.

MarkGP · 03/25/2011, 03:15 PM

The flow through the overflow is determined by how much the pump puts out. So if your pump is pushing 300 gph then that is what is going through the overflow. I would use a pump smaller than a mag 9.5. Energy wise it won't be efficient to run a pump that size and throttle it back. I think a mag 7 or 5 or an oceanrunner 2500 or eheim 1260 would be better.

ryeguyy84 · 03/25/2011, 03:16 PM

Thank for all your help, I feel ive read that before but it never made sense. So the pump pushes water up, raising the dt tank level above the overflow over and over.... I think I'm ready haha.

ryeguyy84 · 03/25/2011, 03:18 PM

Is it hard to find fitting forthe eheim? I heard it was a metric size

davocean · 03/25/2011, 03:29 PM

Sometimes the fitting is sloppy, a good bit of teflon tape resolves it usually.
They come w/ correct fittings that work fine if connecting to a flexible hose, I prefer braided line.
Soaking hose in boiling water makes it very pliable and able to fit very tight connections if you choose the flex route.

ryeguyy84 · 03/25/2011, 03:34 PM

What about check valves on the return? Do you use them?

davocean · 03/25/2011, 04:51 PM

I don't use them, they eventually usually fail.
A properly set up system does not need them.

MarkGP · 03/25/2011, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davocean

I don't use them, they eventually usually fail.
A properly set up system does not need them.

What he said!

stuproman · 04/10/2011, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davocean

I don't use them, they eventually usually fail.
A properly set up system does not need them.

Is it because your return hose back to the tank the end is not so far in the water? Does this help that problem without having a check valve?

stuproman · 04/10/2011, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryeguyy84

I started doing some research to setup a sump/refugium. I think I want to go with an Aqueon Proflex model 2 for my 50 Gallon tank and a lifereef 600GPH overflow. my question is what pump? I was thinking a mag 9.5, my tank is a little over 4 feet above where the return pump would be going so that's about 800gph flow that I could ball valve off. could I maybe get a mag 7? I'm just hearing different things from all the searches and I don't want over do it.

Did you end up getting the Proflex model 2?

ryeguyy84 · 06/23/2011, 01:48 PM

little late but yes.

I got the proflex model 2 with a mag 7 pump and a lifereef overflow. all connected with braided flex tubing. it's a tight fit but it works.

03/25/2011, 02:38 PM	#1
ryeguyy84 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,753	new sump setup, thouroghly confused I started doing some research to setup a sump/refugium. I think I want to go with an Aqueon Proflex model 2 for my 50 Gallon tank and a lifereef 600GPH overflow. my question is what pump? I was thinking a mag 9.5, my tank is a little over 4 feet above where the return pump would be going so that's about 800gph flow that I could ball valve off. could I maybe get a mag 7? I'm just hearing different things from all the searches and I don't want over do it.

03/25/2011, 03:02 PM	#5
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	600gph would be max that can handle, not neccessarilly what you want. I agree, 3-5x turnover, and there are much better returns than mags(sorry mag peeps) I prefer eheim. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

03/25/2011, 03:11 PM	#7
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	It will only draw as fast as pump pushes water, no adjust needed. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

03/25/2011, 03:29 PM	#11
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	Sometimes the fitting is sloppy, a good bit of teflon tape resolves it usually. They come w/ correct fittings that work fine if connecting to a flexible hose, I prefer braided line. Soaking hose in boiling water makes it very pliable and able to fit very tight connections if you choose the flex route. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

03/25/2011, 04:51 PM	#13
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	I don't use them, they eventually usually fail. A properly set up system does not need them. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

03/25/2011, 03:00 PM	#3
ryeguyy84 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,753	so I can choose whatever flow I want? thats the part I don't get, if I have a 600GPH overflow can I have a return pump pushing 250? I'm all about pumping less but I really like the reviews on the lifereef overflow.

03/25/2011, 03:04 PM	#6
ryeguyy84 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,753	so do I have to somehow manually reduce the flow from the overflow? or will it somehow know to slow down? sorry for the noob questions.

03/25/2011, 03:15 PM	#8
MarkGP Why do I do this? Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bristol, RI Posts: 1,015	The flow through the overflow is determined by how much the pump puts out. So if your pump is pushing 300 gph then that is what is going through the overflow. I would use a pump smaller than a mag 9.5. Energy wise it won't be efficient to run a pump that size and throttle it back. I think a mag 7 or 5 or an oceanrunner 2500 or eheim 1260 would be better.

03/25/2011, 03:16 PM	#9
ryeguyy84 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,753	Thank for all your help, I feel ive read that before but it never made sense. So the pump pushes water up, raising the dt tank level above the overflow over and over.... I think I'm ready haha.

03/25/2011, 03:18 PM	#10
ryeguyy84 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,753	Is it hard to find fitting forthe eheim? I heard it was a metric size

03/25/2011, 03:34 PM	#12
ryeguyy84 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,753	What about check valves on the return? Do you use them?

06/23/2011, 01:48 PM	#17
ryeguyy84 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,753	little late but yes. I got the proflex model 2 with a mag 7 pump and a lifereef overflow. all connected with braided flex tubing. it's a tight fit but it works.

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