looking for 1200gph return pump

[brandon2432]

I am looking for a good return pump that pumps around 1200 gph at 4' head. If any one has one used that would be great if not suggestions of price for value would be greatly appreciated.

 

[8BALL_99]

What tank is this for? Why do you want 1200 GPH if this is just for a return you really don't need such a large pump. Most skimmers only process a few hundred GPH or less. Moving much more then that doesn't really do much for you tank besides add noise and use more power. Sure the extra flow in the tank helps a little, But your better off getting your flow from either powerheads or a closed loop. That way your not having to pump against head pressure.
If its for the 125 in your sig I'd probably look at either a Eheim 1260 or 1262 or a ocean runner 3500
HTH

 

[brandon2432]

it is for the 125. I have a hang on overflow with 2 drains and i get bubbles in one of the u-tubes I was told that my return pump was to small and so my overflow was pulling air. what do you suggest. I love your tanks 8-ball and would appreaciate your advice.

 

[8BALL_99]

Thanks Ahh I c. Yeah speeding up the drain will help with the bubbles. Do you know what gph your HOB is rated for? Are the bubbles causing the u tube to loose siphon or are they just making you nervous?

 

[brandon2432]

its around 1200 with both u tubes. right now I only have one siphoning that way no bubbles if I run both of them in about a day one of them will be full of air. I have a fuge on one side of the overflow and my skimmer on the other and my return pulls from both so I figure that my filtering is only running at half capacity. Am I thinking correct. what would you do?

 

[8BALL_99]

I wouldn't say half capacity. A refuge and a skimmer both can only process so much GPH. Average middle sized skimmer only process around 100-300GPH. So no real need to push much more then that through your skimmer section in your sump. A refuge is a little harder to figure, But it works much the same way.. The sand macro algae ect will only pull out so much from the water in x amount of time.. Doesn't matter if you move 200GPH or 700GPH there is a point where the dirty water is just getting recirculated. Most people tend have low flow in their refuge. How much is kind of up to you.. I don't even measure it on my tanks.. I just set the flow to about what I think it should be.. Its not much though. As far as what I'd do I'd drill the tank Haha But really it just depends on your skimmer and size of your refuge. Again 600-900 should be plenty for your sump. I use Eheim 1260s for all my returns right now. I'll probably get a little bigger pump for my 300 at some point.. But right now I just use the same 1260 that was on my 190. Back a few years ago I use to run a 1200 GPH on a 72 gallon lol. It worked fine but now I just look at it a little differently.

 

[swearint]

brandon,

Are you using a Durso or Hofer type device on the outlet from the overflow box? I suspect that if you can prevent a hard siphon on the outlet you could avoid pulling bubbles into the u-tube. On my overflow, I adjust the outlet so that the water level on the inside box is just below the notches. This reduces bubble formation since the water does not fall as far and those that do form are farther away from the inlet of the u-tube.

Todd

 

[brandon2432]

No, right now I dont have a durso or hofer. I have looked at different ways to make one but I thought that was only for gurgling. I use a towel to keep the noise down.