flow rates

[natebedwell06]

getting ready to set up a 220 dual overflow, and not sure which return pump to pull the trigger on, its going to be return only, not used for any other things besides a straight return, have read everything from 5x-10x turnover rate, was wondering if a mag 12 of 18 would be good enough, also have 2 koralia 1200's and a koralia 1050 for some extra tank circulation, tank will start of fowlr but may add some corals on down the road, nothing too fancy

 

[Reefnut2010]

For a straight return, the Mag 18 would work. The reality is though that it's always best to go with a bigger pump in case you run manifolds for equipment (reactors,chiller,ect). We always need reactors so spend a bit more for a bigger pump. Plus your tank is pretty big. Are you ok with external pumps or not? If not the newer water blaster pumps are another choice of internal pumps with good flow. I have a 125g and run a Mag 18 but it also runs my Chiller and bio-pellet reactor so at this point its maxed out. When I added a ozone reactor, I had to buy another pump to run it, so always keep all equipment that needs water flow in the equation or you'll end up spending more down the road.

 

[natebedwell06]

it will be a simple return pump, not using it to run anything else, thats where i was being confused, because i know everyone on here gets them bigger because they run more stuff on them than just as a return only