is my return pump to strong ??? help

[Jordan_Oreo]

Hey, I got a Mag18 as a return pump. I need to pump water from my sump up to my display tank 6feet up with a few elbows on the way up and I want to run my skimmer off of it that I belive needs 600gph. My only concern is that the return pump is too strong, I plan on putting a shut off on it to restrict it but woudl that damage the pump if I keep it restricted ? any input would be great
Thanks

 

[sedor]

Restricting the flow shouldn't cause any damage. I think the only thing that can wear mags out a little faster is running them externally. A mag is one of the best choices you can make as far as pumps go IMO!

 

[ReefDreams]

Why restrict the flow ?

You could add a T with some water returning directly to your sump with a valve controlling how much is returning to your sump.. what do you think ?

 

[Toddrtrex]

What size tank, and what is its overflow rated for?

 

[Jordan_Oreo]

Thanks for the help sofar I am really sorta new to this like I have never done plumbing for a tank or anything like this, my other tank came with everything and the guy set it up. The tank is 70Gallons, nothing has water in it yet I still have to build the sump etc, how do I figure out the flow rate ? When I bought this tank it cam pre drilled with a over flow in it. But one more of my concerns is that if I run the skimmer aswell make a T to have water go to another part of the sump like "Reef Dreams" said wouldnt the water just repeate its self ? like the water would go back to the return then the return is puting half of the water back into the sump again. I am so confused with this

 

[Saltcity]

My 125g tank has a Mag9 for the return pump.... There are a lot of different set-ups and the 18 will work with some thought but it also might be overkill....

 

[Stuart60611]

I run a Mag 18 as a return on my 125 without a problem.

 

[epleeds]

im running a mag5 on my 75 gallon as a return, and have it dialed down a little bit to limit the noise of the overflow..

 

[transd]

make sure to use unions to make it easier to swap things around and cleaning... Mag18 may be an overkill for your tank, but you should be able to "T" off the connections, one to the return, one to the skimmer, one back to the sump, etc. but I would put ball valves after each of the T's so you can control the flow to each line... it'll take some playing around to get the right setting, but having a ball valve on each line will help you adjust the flow accordingly

 

[mukymuk]

I think the Mag 18 is a fine choice for that size tank, but it will depend on your overflows and your tolerance for the noise they generate---of course you could use a durst standpipe maybe...

Personally, I'd run the skimmer on a separate pump, because it will likely require quite a bit of head and you'll end up having to put values in your supply lines to give the skimmer what it needs. It will all be a little "touchy feely". You can do it, but more hassle that it's worth, IMO.

how do I figure out the flow rate

Do you want to measure it or calculate it?

But one more of my concerns is that if I run the skimmer aswell make a T to have water go to another part of the sump like "Reef Dreams" said wouldnt the water just repeate its self ? like the water would go back to the return then the return is puting half of the water back into the sump again. I am so confused with this

Sorry, I don't understand what your saying.