Low wattage return pumps

[SLO180]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9003095#post9003095 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pennilessreefer
On a 120, you want more than 2800gph; more like 5000.

and a dart through two scwd's will cut it to nothing

hmm... sounds like there may be two schools of thought on how much flow i need. I thought for an sps tank, about 15-20x turnover was the number to shoot for (~3000 gal/hr after head losses). Is this correct???


by the way.. anyone use scwd's and have an idea how much loss they're taking. Or what type of wavemaker should i use that doesnt cost too much. I would prefer a wavemaker that doesnt use powerheads in the tank, but more on the line of a squirt or scwd that i can set up into the CL

 

[SLO180]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9002561#post9002561 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dwdenny
The velocity pumps add a lot heat to the tank because they are water cooled. I would watch out for that as well.

btw.. anyone have an idea how much wattage the T3 and T4 use?

 

[sjm817]

Display turnover does not come from a return pump. Display to sump flow and display turnover are two separate things.

 

[SLO180]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9003282#post9003282 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by manofcoral
I use the Dart on my 180 and I am super happy with it. Very quite and pushs a ton of water.
Paul<><

how much plumbing/wavemakers/etc are you sending the dart through?

 

[wife no likey]

Generally speaking, for acros you will probably want in excess of 40x good random flow.


Of course there are many variables (placement, aquascape, etc) but that seems to be a good starting number.


As for the scwd's, I would say that one is responsible for appx 5' of head, so on a dart, you're at nothing.

If you want to stay w/ a CL for most of your circulation, you'll probably have to pay the price and go w/ a OM 4-way, although you could just do a manifold or something.

Pete

 

[SLO180]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9003496#post9003496 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjm817
Display turnover does not come from a return pump. Display to sump flow and display turnover are two separate things.

i agree they are two separate things.. i would like a total flow of about 15-20x. After losses and all, about 3000 gph total between both the return and CL system.

am i thinking of this turnover thing correctly?

 

[SLO180]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9003521#post9003521 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pennilessreefer
Generally speaking, for acros you will probably want in excess of 40x good random flow.


Of course there are many variables (placement, aquascape, etc) but that seems to be a good starting number.


As for the scwd's, I would say that one is responsible for appx 5' of head, so on a dart, you're at nothing.

If you want to stay w/ a CL for most of your circulation, you'll probably have to pay the price and go w/ a OM 4-way, although you could just do a manifold or something.

Pete

thanks for the info... here comes the stupid Q.... whats a manifold? or if you have a pic.. that would help a ton.

I am starting to think i should pay the price to get a good wavemaker. any ideas on a OM super squirt, a bit cheaper ...although, the website says its only rated up to 2500 gph.

What version numbers on the OM do most prefer?

 

[hahnmeister]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9002847#post9002847 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tanya72806
i have to say your wrong I have a red dragon return pump and by far the best I have owned to date and I have owned just about all the pumps that are insump. Mine is 2200 gph and uses 45w's

Yeah, but when you add 4' of head pressure, that 2200gph gets cut down real fast, doesnt it?

As for the tank here... you dont need a large pump for the sump return... just enough to skim the surface. A sump turnover can be as low as 2x the tank volume per hour. A Pan World 40PX is a great pump for this. 45watts, 480gph at 0 head, and 13.5 ft of head. It will give you just about 250-300 gph turnover through the sump... plenty.

Then, for the main display's flow, you can use a closed loop (or prop driven powerheads... you have options) either drilled through the glass, or better yet, one that hange over the back. A dart is good for this... low wattage, high-flow. This way you are getting flow to the places that need it, and spending the least amount of wattage to do it.