120g Acro setup screaming ahead full bore

[dreaminmel]

After dilly dallying for far too long on this... it's going to be done within the next month. I have a 4x2x2 RR 120g, framework of the stand is built, 55g for basement sump, two 120w LED fixtures for the lighting, skimmer, refugium setup, etc and just need to obtain/decide on a few other things.

Planning to grab a couple of heaters, a Mag3 for the skimmer pump and some powerheads. Leaning towards going Tunze again... not a fan of how the Vortechs can't be aimed.

I want to go with an in-sump return pump but am not sure if a Mag9 is going to cut it? Probably going with 1 1/2" drain and 1" return. I've played around with the RC head loss calculator but it doesn't give results for all pumps available. Anyone have any feedback on in sump returns they've used from a basement? Worse case scenario I'll go back to my old GenX 55pcx external from the old 125g but that sucker is way too much return flow for this setup.

No pictures to share just yet however here's a couple of links for threads showing prior adventures.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1162470

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1650688

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

120 Acro screamer, eh?

Well... you know what you gotta do

 

[tropills]

Whoohoo, sounds like a sweet build Mel, what kind of head pressure are you going to have. ? I can configure on my calculator what should work for you..

 

[dreaminmel]

120 Acro screamer, eh?

Well... you know what you gotta do

Yupper... it'll be a screaming hoot. I have vowed to not start any further home renovations until AFTER this is accomplished. ha...

Whoohoo, sounds like a sweet build Mel, what kind of head pressure are you going to have. ? I can configure on my calculator what should work for you..

Thanks Greg 10' vertical, 1" diameter and two 45's shows 10.42 feet of head pressure w/ a Mag9 (373gph) or 10.75 feet of head pressure w/ a Mag12 (511gph). Can't remember the rate of flow the 120g overflow allows so would lean towards a higher gph pump and redirect to refugium or sump as needed.

 

[tropills]

If you can increase the pipe diameter to 1.5 directly off the pump to the bottom of the tank the mag 12 will be perfect .. roughly 620 gph

 

[Posidion]

The mega flow style claims 800gph per drain.

 

[dreaminmel]

Found this on Marineland's site in the Q&A section for the 120 corner flows:

Recommended Return Flow Rate for 120 corner flow

Having trouble getting water in overflow box balanced. What is drain pipe gph recommendation? Or .......what is recommended gph for return pump? Thanks Jack

'Reefsea
Location: Destin, Fl.1Answer

700 gph at the top of the overflow....every pump varies, so we can't really recommend a pump. Our NJ5500 is the one we recommend usually. BREX

 

[rickyrivera1]

this will be a fun ride to watch unfold...looking forward to the pics ms. mel

 

[dreaminmel]

lol... no doubt. Thanks Rickola

 

[Srixon]

Following also....and working on the same idea here.....120 RR my self in it's beginnings here also.

 

[block head]

single overflow ? I'd think you' d have plenty of wiggle room. a mag 5 should be plenty. having a way to adjust the return is nice. you think you have to much or not enough
flow ?

 

[dreaminmel]

Following also....and working on the same idea here.....120 RR my self in it's beginnings here also.

Woot! Excited for you Don! You have specific plans for yours yet?

single overflow ? I'd think you' d have plenty of wiggle room. a mag 5 should be plenty. having a way to adjust the return is nice. you think you have to much or not enough
flow ?

Yes single overflow, corner style. Mag 5 from the basement will only provide 14gph after head loss so I've got to go bigger than that. I'm not looking to have the 1200gph craziness from my old 120 setup but would like to set the return up for around 700gph and then just reduce down if needed vs. not having enough.

 

[Henry Colf]

Tagging along, can't wait to see this come together!!!!!

 

[Srixon]

Nothing specific at this point......I want mostly sps but some lps too

 

[mr.maroonsalty]

For some reason I see the head loss calculator drops the 1 1/3' friction loss for the 10' gravity loss; I'm not a fluid dynamics expert by any means, but I can't see how it's gravity loss or friction loss and not both. The build is in so many ways the best part! Good luck with it!