Need return pump GPH & Model suggestions

[insanespain]

Hey guys, I've read confusing stuff about how much you should flow through the sump. I thought the general rule was 10x but then I read somewhere that you should go less on the sump so it has more time to filter, and makeup the rest of the recommended 10x rule with powerheads in the DT. Heres what I'm building:

65 Gallon DT with 20 Gallon sump. Will be mixed reef with softies/LPS.

3 and a half feet vertical distance from bottom of sump to returns in tank. Single inlet dual outlet return system with a tee and 3 90s in the return lines.

What size pump should I look for, and what are some good brands/models to look at? Not wanting to take out a 2nd mortgage for the return pump, but dont want a throwaway pump either.

Thanks in advance

[Kerreefer]

mag drive5 or7 in my oppinion
bigalsonline is usually cheapest

*3-4 times water volume* they say

i have a 7 on my 180 and no probs

for recirc. i have 5600Gph on 4 powerheads though

lots of people say to make sure your gph on your skimmer exceeds return, but ive proven that a myth.

[Kerreefer]

my one magdrive i have in use is 13 years old and never been cleaned. ive pulled it apart and spotless lol. i once used it to pull water from a spring to moreless irrigate my garden. its diehard

[insanespain]

Thanks for the replies. I'll check out big als. Yeah I'm thinking about getting a vortech for circulation and using nano powerheads for flow behind the rock wall

[evsalty]

Originally Posted by insanespain

3 and a half feet vertical distance from bottom of sump to returns in tank. Single inlet dual outlet return system with a tee and 3 90s in the return lines.

Is that 3.5' from the sump bottom to the bulheads in the bottom of your tank? Do your returns go all the way to the top of the waterline? If they do then you will want to add that distance to your headloss amount.

I like the new Sicce Syncra pumps. Mags are good pumps too.

[insanespain]

Yeah, idk why I said 3.5 feet, its actually probably 4 feet. My stand is 2 feet tall, and my tank is 2 feet tall, and the sump sits on the floor. Returns are clear up at the top of the water line. Ill have to check out those pumps too.

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[Paco]

Eheim 1260 would be a good choice.

[postie1686]

Originally Posted by Paco

Eheim 1260 would be a good choice.

awesome pump. you may find you will need to have a water bleed off line on the return. mine returns water to the tank a little to fast so my drain would burp and gurggle. so buy putting that in i can run some water back to the sump so it doesnt back up the drain and make so much noise.

[insanespain]

I'm doing a bean animal with 1.5 inch drains so that won't be a problem

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[frog.pauley]

Dr. F&S is the cheapest place to get MAG pumps, just my MAG 7 for my 75 free shipping on everything over 49 bucks.

[insanespain]

That's cheap, what's their website? U have a link?

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