Return pump size for 55 gal reef tank w/sump

nateman20 · 03/08/2015, 02:18 PM

I am starting a 55 gal reef tank with an aqueon sump. My question - what size return pump do I need for my tank. From the sump up to the display is about 3.5 ft. And exactly what is GPH - what size do I need for my tank. I am planing on having corals/anemones. I also have a pretty strong circulation pump for the display. Thanks!!

delor-02 · 03/08/2015, 03:32 PM

Do you just have a sump (equipment only) or do you have a sump/fuge? A refugium will want lower flow through it. Also depends on the size of the piping to the sump. A smaller pipe won't be able to handle a large volume.

SnoopyDaPimp · 03/08/2015, 03:59 PM

I would think that a mag 7 would be sufficient for the return.

smmiller506 · 03/08/2015, 04:00 PM

The rating of the pump is usually 5-10x the display tank volume, or 275-550 gallons per hour. A larger pump may be used if some of the pump output flow is diverted to reactors or a refugium.

nateman20 · 03/08/2015, 04:09 PM

I am planing on having a refugium in the sump - and the piping from the sump is 3/4" black flexible tubing with two output nozzles at the top of the display.
I am just worried that I will purchase a pump (mag 7) and it will be too strong. Could somebody explain what the ideal gph is for the tank size? Thanks!

mandarin_goby · 03/08/2015, 04:58 PM

I have a Mag 7 on my 40b. Just add a ball valve to regulate the flow, mine is dialed back about 20% with no issues.

Ktm898 · 03/08/2015, 05:19 PM

i have a mag 7 on my 55. i ran one pipe to a tee across the back for dual outputs. works great, My only complaint is noise

mandarin_goby · 03/08/2015, 05:38 PM

I agree about the noise, until I propped it so that it doesn't rest on the glass at all, it just kind of floats - I have the tubing pushed away from the side of the sump, so it's very quiet now. I also use flexible tubing...only the tubing touches the tank.

kissman · 03/08/2015, 05:55 PM

Mag Drive 7 was to large for my 55g I am using a Mag Drive 3 on have had no problems

nateman20 · 03/08/2015, 06:50 PM

how exactly did you prop it up/make it float?

nateman20 · 03/08/2015, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mandarin_goby

I agree about the noise, until I propped it so that it doesn't rest on the glass at all, it just kind of floats - I have the tubing pushed away from the side of the sump, so it's very quiet now. I also use flexible tubing...only the tubing touches the tank.

How exactly did you prop it up/ make it float?

kissman · 03/08/2015, 06:54 PM

You could use a mouse pad under it to make it quiet. But mine is quiet

mandarin_goby · 03/08/2015, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nateman20

How exactly did you prop it up/ make it float?

I just had a clamp laying around that i clamped to the side of the sump. It sticks out about an inch into the sump and I make sure that only the tubing that the pump is attached to lays against the clamp. That way, the pump touches nothing, not the sides or the bottom, it's just suspended by the tubing into the water. It makes a huge different in the noise. The tubing is also short enough so that the pump doesn't hit the bottom of the sump.

delor-02 · 03/08/2015, 08:13 PM

I ran a mag 9.5 into a SCWD and was very pleased with the flow and alternating current. The SCWD kills some of the flow.

thegrun · 03/08/2015, 10:12 PM

I run an Eheim 1260 on my 50 gallon tank. The Eheim pump will probably cost you close to double the cost of a Mag pump, but IMHO they are worth every penny. Eheim pumps run much quieter, use less electricity and produce less heat in the tank.

nateman20 · 03/09/2015, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegrun

I run an Eheim 1260 on my 50 gallon tank. The Eheim pump will probably cost you close to double the cost of a Mag pump, but IMHO they are worth every penny. Eheim pumps run much quieter, use less electricity and produce less heat in the tank.

how powerful was your water flow? mine would be traveling from the sump up to the display for about 3.5 - 4 feet

Reeferz412 · 03/09/2015, 06:16 PM

Mag 7, i had a mag 7 on my 65 gallon setup. Reliable, cheap to replace parts, lasts forever.

03/08/2015, 02:18 PM	#1
nateman20 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 5	Return pump size for 55 gal reef tank w/sump I am starting a 55 gal reef tank with an aqueon sump. My question - what size return pump do I need for my tank. From the sump up to the display is about 3.5 ft. And exactly what is GPH - what size do I need for my tank. I am planing on having corals/anemones. I also have a pretty strong circulation pump for the display. Thanks!!

03/08/2015, 03:59 PM	#3
SnoopyDaPimp Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Peoria, AZ Posts: 492	I would think that a mag 7 would be sufficient for the return. __________________ ( 0 \ l / 0 ) & no tanks for now

03/08/2015, 04:58 PM	#6
mandarin_goby Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 844	I have a Mag 7 on my 40b. Just add a ball valve to regulate the flow, mine is dialed back about 20% with no issues. __________________ 75 with Eshopps 100 sump, Reef Octopus 110 SSS skimmer, Sicce 3.0 pump, Maxspect Gyre 130, 2 x Kessil a360W, mangroves plus clip-on bulb in sump 75 FW planted with CO2, 12 gallon cherry shrimp tank

03/08/2015, 05:38 PM	#8
mandarin_goby Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 844	I agree about the noise, until I propped it so that it doesn't rest on the glass at all, it just kind of floats - I have the tubing pushed away from the side of the sump, so it's very quiet now. I also use flexible tubing...only the tubing touches the tank. __________________ 75 with Eshopps 100 sump, Reef Octopus 110 SSS skimmer, Sicce 3.0 pump, Maxspect Gyre 130, 2 x Kessil a360W, mangroves plus clip-on bulb in sump 75 FW planted with CO2, 12 gallon cherry shrimp tank

03/09/2015, 06:16 PM	#17
Reeferz412 Coral Hoarder Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 2,247	Mag 7, i had a mag 7 on my 65 gallon setup. Reliable, cheap to replace parts, lasts forever. __________________ Alex FMAS Member Current Tank Info: 400 Gallons of frags... 30 gallon Deep Blue mixed reef ... 70 other tanks throughout south FL

03/08/2015, 03:32 PM	#2
delor-02 Moved On Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 43	Do you just have a sump (equipment only) or do you have a sump/fuge? A refugium will want lower flow through it. Also depends on the size of the piping to the sump. A smaller pipe won't be able to handle a large volume.

03/08/2015, 04:00 PM	#4
smmiller506 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Chicago Posts: 77	The rating of the pump is usually 5-10x the display tank volume, or 275-550 gallons per hour. A larger pump may be used if some of the pump output flow is diverted to reactors or a refugium.

03/08/2015, 04:09 PM	#5
nateman20 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 5	I am planing on having a refugium in the sump - and the piping from the sump is 3/4" black flexible tubing with two output nozzles at the top of the display. I am just worried that I will purchase a pump (mag 7) and it will be too strong. Could somebody explain what the ideal gph is for the tank size? Thanks!

03/08/2015, 05:19 PM	#7
Ktm898 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: louisiana Posts: 52	i have a mag 7 on my 55. i ran one pipe to a tee across the back for dual outputs. works great, My only complaint is noise

03/08/2015, 05:55 PM	#9
kissman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Lynchburg, Va Posts: 2,963	Mag Drive 7 was to large for my 55g I am using a Mag Drive 3 on have had no problems

03/08/2015, 06:50 PM	#10
nateman20 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 5	how exactly did you prop it up/make it float?

03/08/2015, 06:54 PM	#12
kissman Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Lynchburg, Va Posts: 2,963	You could use a mouse pad under it to make it quiet. But mine is quiet

03/08/2015, 08:13 PM	#14
delor-02 Moved On Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 43	I ran a mag 9.5 into a SCWD and was very pleased with the flow and alternating current. The SCWD kills some of the flow.

03/08/2015, 10:12 PM	#15
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I run an Eheim 1260 on my 50 gallon tank. The Eheim pump will probably cost you close to double the cost of a Mag pump, but IMHO they are worth every penny. Eheim pumps run much quieter, use less electricity and produce less heat in the tank.