Choosing a return pump

[MT_is_a_Pisces]

Thanks for the tips on 'Which comes first, Sump or Rock' . On to the next topic. What's the best method to determine on return pump size(gph). Building 90 gallon tank fish and corals. I have Eshopps R200 sump.

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[mcgyvr]

Choose one with a flow rate of 3-10x display tank size after head losses..

Example..
You have a 90G tank (90 x 5 = 450GPH, 90 x 10 = 900GPH) and the vertical distance from the sump to the top of the display tank is 5 feet..
So pick a pump that can flow roughly 450 to 900 GPH at 5ft of head..
All pumps will have a chart showing their flow rates at different head heights..

Then if you plan on running a return manifold with carbon/GFO/biopellet reactors,etc.. of it you need to add some extra for those..

Then cost factors.. controllable pumps,etc... are all other decisions you can make..
controllable is nice because you can well.. adjust the flow as you see fit..
blah blah blah...

 

[Valentini89]

Choose one with a flow rate of 3-10x display tank size after head losses..

Example..
You have a 90G tank (90 x 5 = 450GPH, 90 x 10 = 900GPH) and the vertical distance from the sump to the top of the display tank is 5 feet..
So pick a pump that can flow roughly 450 to 900 GPH at 5ft of head..
All pumps will have a chart showing their flow rates at different head heights..

Then if you plan on running a return manifold with carbon/GFO/biopellet reactors,etc.. of it you need to add some extra for those..

Then cost factors.. controllable pumps,etc... are all other decisions you can make..
controllable is nice because you can well.. adjust the flow as you see fit..
blah blah blah...

Mgyvr makes some very good points, and I would like to add that I have heard alot of good from both the jabeo pumps (will be purchasing one) and the Ecotech

 

[mcgyvr]

I would like to add that I have heard alot of good from both the jabeo pumps (will be purchasing one) and the Ecotech

FWIW.. I just picked up a Jebao DCP6500 for my new 80G tank I'm building now.. It will be run at 50% or so.. (Its DEAD quite at that speed.. I cannot hear it at all)
I got it for $80 shipped on Ebay..

 

[Valentini89]

FWIW.. I just picked up a Jebao DCP6500 for my new 80G tank I'm building now.. It will be run at 50% or so.. (Its DEAD quite at that speed.. I cannot hear it at all)
I got it for $80 shipped on Ebay..

Nice to know. I'll be picking up the dct12000. Hopefully it, too, is quiet.

 

[MT_is_a_Pisces]

That's what I'm talking about. Save where you can

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[Valentini89]

That's what I'm talking about. Save where you can

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Yup.. I'll be purchasing everything except my tank on the online Black Friday sales. Already got my list, just waiting it out. Getting my tank 150 g drilled w lids and stand shipped to my door for $1500 from glasscages

 

[mcgyvr]

That's what I'm talking about. Save where you can

Its never a bad idea to have a backup pump (and other equipment) once you really start getting into this hobby.. Even more so when going with the more "low cost" products..
I have another pump sitting on the shelf should that ever fail.. But I'm still only $160 into that with both which still isn't bad for a controllable return pump anyways.. Thats still roughly half the price of a single more "trusted" brands similar offering (Varios6)..