Basement return pump plumbing

[Andystl]

I have a 120RR tank with a basement sump I am trying to install. My 120 has dual overflows so dual returns. I have approx 8-9 feet of head pressure from the basement to my tank. I purchased a Blowhole BH 1450 High Water return pump http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/SQ-BH1450.html and it arrived yesterday, I am going to try and install this weekend. I have a couple questions for everyone:

1) Is this pump going to be sufficient? I will only run the return off this pump, I have other pumps for skimmer/reactors/water movement etc...

B) I have 2 return lines, is it better to run 1 return to the tank and then split into two for each return line or should I split at the pump and run 2 return lines all the way up to the tank?

3) Anything else I should be aware of while pumbing this thing? I have plumbed many tanks with sumps in the stand, but this is the first time I have had a basement sump to work with. Thanks in advance!

 

[tall_jason79]

i would run a larger return up and Y it off to two return lines.

 

[Andystl]

Any suggestions for a good return pump that deals with head pressure and is sized for a 120?

 

[jtrasap]

That pump will be plenty for a 120 even at nine feet. You don't need a lot of flow through the sump. The majority of the flow in your display should come from your powerheads. The bh1450 will push around 1200gph at 9 feet on high, 800 on medium, and 500 on low. I would run one line and then split it.

 

[DrewPalmer04]

Or do a sea squirt from the pump

 

[Andystl]

I am going to put 1 maybe 2 mp40s on it so there should be plenty of flow. How many times turnover per hour should I shoot have running thru the sump?

 

[chadscamaro]

5-10 times turnover is the average and I usually shoot for right in the middle on most setups.
So 800-1000gph into the tank and through the sump in my opinion.

 

[u4ick]

That pump will be plenty for a 120 even at nine feet. You don't need a lot of flow through the sump. The majority of the flow in your display should come from your powerheads. The bh1450 will push around 1200gph at 9 feet on high, 800 on medium, and 500 on low. I would run one line and then split it.

I agree.

Also note that when running a single return to be split, it is usually best to have equal length of pipe on each side of the tee going to the 2 returns, so that both sides will get equal amounts of flow. However if you put a valve on each side then you can balance them on your own if you choose to do so.

I am going to put 1 maybe 2 mp40s on it so there should be plenty of flow. How many times turnover per hour should I shoot have running thru the sump?

Running a sump as low as 2-3 times per hour is more than fine if you have the needed flow from powerheads.
Two MP40's will be way plenty for a 120. I have 2 on a 180 mounted on the back wall, at barely over 1/2 throttle they put out a nice soft flow to the entire tank. No need to get caught up in "turn over" #'s. The perfect amount of flow is what makes your tank nice and quiet....lol

 

[Tigé21v]

Let us know what you think of that pump, especially how quiet it is. I've been kicking around getting one for a while now. I have an Iwaki 55 and 100, and though I love their reliability, I could really live without the noise. (The big drop in power used is nice too).

 

[Andystl]

Will do, but it may be awhile. Getting everything hooked up and running is going to take longer than I first thought. I'm hoping to have it going before the swap but we shall see.