90 gallon ...new return pump needed...opinions?

[NoobieNemo]

I have a 90 gallon reef tank...I currently have a 9.5 return in there, but when i split the return into two nozzles up top, it was very very weak in flow...

since i want to split the return with the loc line stuff, what new pump should i buy?

right now my tank is fighting cyano...i think it is a flow problem...

thanks

Noob

 

[ej1698]

mag 12 or 18

EJ

 

[ambaratur]

It probably is a flow problem but you don't have to upgrade your return pump to up the flow. In fact you usually only want your return pump to run 3-5x your tank volume.

You should probably add a closed loop (if you want to use loc-line) or some powerheads in the tank to increase the flow.

 

[ej1698]

you return pump should run AT LEAST..10 x the tank. I have a 90 gal and run the mag 18

EJ

 

[ambaratur]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7353955#post7353955 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ej1698
you return pump should run AT LEAST..10 x the tank. I have a 90 gal and run the mag 18

EJ

I am sorry but this is just not true. I will find some links if you like, but the recommendation is only to run 3-5x tank volume through the sump per hour.

 

[kamla]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7353955#post7353955 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ej1698
you return pump should run AT LEAST..10 x the tank. I have a 90 gal and run the mag 18

EJ

Not really, as long as you have about 5x to 10x the tank vol going through the sump you are fine.
IMO 5X the tank vol is good,
But addition flow should be added, you could use CC or Power heads

 

[ambaratur]

The more volume you push through your sump the higher your chance of microbubbles is. I believe that is one of the reasons that people do not recommend a super high flow through the sump.

 

[PiNaPLeX]

3-5x tank volume is what many people use. Thats a good ratio go by.

 

[ej1698]

QUOTE FROM ANTHONY CALFO OF WETWEBMEDIA:

Finally, in address of the specific amount of water flow needed for corals, we cannot only say that more is better. The type and volume of water flow in the aquarium must be tailored to suit each collection of corals that have hopefully been assembled with regard for their similar needs. The old "rule of thumb" for water movement was 4 to 10 times a tanks total volume. In modern aquariums however, a 10-fold turnover of water is mediocre at best. Now enlightened to avoid laminar flow for most corals, aquarists will find that 10 to 20-fold turnovers are common and appropriate. Some systems with various stony corals or programs targeting fast growth will likely employ even great flow. Judicious experimentation is the only rule to follow here.

full page link:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/circmarart.htm

EJ

 

[emoore]

The quote does not mention that much flow through the sump, just greater than 10x overall. I agree that the flow through the sump should be 3-5x. Then add a CL or powerheads to get more flow.

 

[mg426]

3 to 5 times through the sump/fuge. Then increase flow with closed loop/powerheads to get to 20x tank volume.

 

[NoobieNemo]

so i should just buy a power head and put it in the opposite corner?

 

[Blown 346]

I have heard that when sterpping up to the larger Mags, they are very noisy, run hot and also the power bill goes up from all the wattage it takes for these pumps to run.

I myself like Quiet One pumps, they run cooler, they can be used internal or external where the mag shouldnt be, they use alot less power to run, they cost less.

 

[Gooli]

i recently switched my 90g return pump from a mag 9.5 to a much lower gph of a eheim 1250 - only250gph - less trouble - less microbubbles. i supplemented the flow with a closed loop using PVC, A seaswirl, and a eheim 1262 - i couldnt be happier.

I'm actually looking to setup a 2nd closed loop

see details of my work here:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=7183141#post7183141

 

[ambaratur]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7354543#post7354543 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ej1698
QUOTE FROM ANTHONY CALFO OF WETWEBMEDIA:

Finally, in address of the specific amount of water flow needed for corals, we cannot only say that more is better. The type and volume of water flow in the aquarium must be tailored to suit each collection of corals that have hopefully been assembled with regard for their similar needs. The old "rule of thumb" for water movement was 4 to 10 times a tanks total volume. In modern aquariums however, a 10-fold turnover of water is mediocre at best. Now enlightened to avoid laminar flow for most corals, aquarists will find that 10 to 20-fold turnovers are common and appropriate. Some systems with various stony corals or programs targeting fast growth will likely employ even great flow. Judicious experimentation is the only rule to follow here.

full page link:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/circmarart.htm

EJ

Very good information - I believe the guys at WetWebMedia are very knowledgable. They are not saying that all of that flow needs to be through the sump and return pump.

You need flow in your system yes, I believe 10-15x is a good starting point - but not all of that needs to flow through the sump. Too much flow through the sump will cause troubles.

 

[ej1698]

got ya, maybe I just misread the info, thanks

EJ

 

[sjm817]

What size plumbing on the Mag9? These pumps are flow pumps and will not flow well with small diameter plumbing such as 3/4". You need a BARE MINIMUM of 1" for decent flow. 1.25" - 1.5" for good flow.

That being said, IMO and IME, a Mag9 running unrestricted is too big for a 90G as a return pump.

 

[smoknreefrs]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7353955#post7353955 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ej1698
you return pump should run AT LEAST..10 x the tank. I have a 90 gal and run the mag 18

EJ

that couldnt be anymore farther fromt he truth....if you are running 10x the volume of your tank through your tank, i hope you a LARGE skimmer that is able to skim at the least 10x your tank volume, if not, then you are just circulating dirty water. a return pump is not for flow it is to return the water to the tank...if you need more flow get a closed loop, powerheads, seios, or tunzes. do not confuse the flow inside the display tank (10x volume of the tank is the norm), with that of the flow thru the sump (3-5x is the norm).

 

[PatMayo]

I have a 90 AGA with a 30 gallon sump. I am running a mag 7 and it works perfect. I have about 30X flow in my tank.

Each seio is 1100 gph = 2200
2 mj 1200 are about 295 each = 590
My return pump with head is pushing about 450 or so.

Total is 3240, roughly 30 times turnover. The actual amount running through the sump is pretty small compared to the tank. I have zero algae and the sump has virtually no algae in it as well.

The key is turnover in the tank. Not through the sump. The flow does need to be enough to keep the macrolagae clean of debris etc.

You can see the tank here:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=780206&perpage=25&pagenumber=5

Regards,

Pat