Help w/ Return Pump choice

[jallard]

Sooo Im planning a 20g sump under my 75RR tank. The sump will be in the stand. Based on these variables:
Verticle length= 5'
Horizontal Length= 3'
1.5" single drain & 3/4" return PVC with 4-5 outlets
2- 90deg elbows
and maybe a gate valve

The following pumps seem to get me roughtly 700+GPH
sequence 3600SEQ12 w/4 exits
Little Giant 4 MDQX-SC w/4 exits
Iwaki 40 RXT-2 w/4 exits
Gen-x Mak4 w/5 exits

Which pump might you choose and why? And QUIET is a must!

TIA

 

[Ken668]

I would say to go for the Gen-x Mak4. I'm running one that I picked up from MichaelG. Draws only 87watts and is a decent pressure rated pump. One thing I would recommend is, if you're absolutely set on using the RR return, plumb it for 1" above and below the 3/4" bulkhead. Maybe even 1-1/4" where possible. This will give you less head pressure and more flow.

I also have an Iwaki WMD40RLT and it draws around 106w. The Sequence pump would be severely restricted, so I wouldn't recommend that pump. The LittleG looks like a good candidate, but it also draws more wattage than the Gen-x. Hopefully that gives you a good start.

Again, you're welcome to stop over and take a listen to the pump to see if it's quiet enough for you.

 

[jallard]

thanks for the info....ill get to your place sooner or later weekends work best for me unless you have a day off

 

[Lakeside518]

IMO I would run an Eheim 1260. Very quiet, run flawless for many many years. Efficient-don't use as many watts as many of the pumps you have listed. Can be run internal and external.

My vote is Eheim Its what I'll soon be using. All i have read on the forums is nothing but good reviews.

You can't push to much flow through a 20 gal tank. Thats pretty small. Chance micro bubbles in your display.

 

[jallard]

i just checked and my return is 1"

 

[Ken668]

Well that definately helps with head pressures. I would still step up PVC size a little though. It lets you maximize your pumps potential. As Kris said, the Eheim is a good choice too.

 

[jallard]

so the question is...how much flow is to much flow threw a 20g sump

 

[michaelg]

Joe- I'm running a 1200gph pump and a 450gph pump through my sump. I don't have a refugium in it, and if I did, this would be too much.
The return pump I have was originally sold by custom sealife (which no longer exists), but the pump does still exist. It is dead quite and has a small footprint. One caviate is that it is reported to add more heat to the tank, though how much I really don't know. In MD where I had central air, I didn't have problems with it and a bunch of other equipment running.
Here is a link to the pump:
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...roduct_Code=BL-VEL-T4&Category_Code=DolphinEx

This would be another option to consider:

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...Product_Code=PW-50PX-X&Category_Code=Panworld

The problem I don't like about little giant pumps is that they require frequent oiling (there is a little hole you add oil to and it isn't hard, but NEEDS to be done).

 

[TA]

Re: Help w/ Return Pump choice

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8409381#post8409381 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jallard
And QUIET is a must!

My Gen-x Mak4 is too loud for my liking. Do a search and you'll see alot of variability in the noise these guys put out....some say little, some say alot. Also, it depends on how its plumbed...rigid or flex PVC can make the difference.

 

[Ken668]

Tony, how do you have yours plumbed?

 

[TA]

Rigid PVC...flex not a good option in my case. Regardless, this pump is much louder than my PCX55HP.

Also, "loud" is a relative term. Loud to me means...if it were in my living room, I wouldn't be able to tolerate the noise for too long.

 

[Ken668]

I guess it depends on how it's plumbed and possibly the individual pump itself then. I have mine plumbed with tubing (non pvc) and it is screwed to a wooden board that sits on a piece of insulation. Plumbed exactly the same, my WMD40RLT is much louder than my Mak-4. The most noticable noise I hear from the Mak-4 is the fan blowing air over the pump. The 40RLT has a loud hum to it.

 

[TA]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8412278#post8412278 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ken668
... the Mak-4 is the fan blowing air over the pump [and] has a loud hum to it.

Thats what I hear.

 

[Tomzpc]

Better off not having all of your tank flow running through the sump. I'd consider downsizing the sump return pump and then use a second pump for a closed loop. You can then split both returns (sump and closed loop) once to give you four outlets in the tank. Either that or go with a tunze or a vortech instead of the closed loop.

All of the pumps that you mentioned in your first post are noisy IMO unless they are in a basement. I have a Mak-4 for my closed loop in my stand and it's the loudest part of my setup. Eheims are great but you would still need a second pump for additional flow.

The first pump that Michaelg linked to is dead-silent. I ran for a few years. The only drawback is that they add quite a bit of heat to the system which is why I eventually replaced mine.

 

[michaelg]

The other benefit of what Tom suggested is redundancy. Also, skimmers function better when they have more contact time with the water (ie slower flow through sump)