Max GPH with an All Glass Mega Flow?

[NickBee]

On the all glass site it lists the single “mega flow” tanks as having a max GPH of 600. We have a 75 Gallon and are using a Mag 7 from our sump. After doing some research I saw that a mag 7 is only rated for 480 GPH with a 4 ft head:

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_powerheads_pumps_danner_mag_drive_supreme.asp?CartId=

I think it’s safe to say that we need to up our flow. But is the AGA really limited to 600 GPH? What kind of pumps are you guys using with a 75 or 90 AGA and a head of 4’ from your sump?

FYI, this set up as sold to us as a fresh water tank. We made the decision to jump into salt at the last minute. As you can tell we are still learning!

Thanks!

 

[annewayne]

I have a mag 18 that is rated for 1800g.p.h. running in my 125 reefready w/corner overflows, i heard of people taking dremel tool to the overflows and making the slits and little bigger. i have had no problems with mine whatsoever, you might want to look into the diy formum on megaoverflows though. i seen something somewhere in there. good luck

 

[kookerson]

Ive seen many people run a Mag 9.5 on that same exact setup.......thats actually what I am going to be running when I set my tank up here in a couple weeks.....

 

[Goodwood]

Try an Eheim 1260, you will be very happy. I had a mag 7 on my tank and went to this pump. It is rated for less flow than a mag 7 but actually pumps more water.

Also the 1260 has a 3 year warranty

 

[Nano Chris]

I run a Eheim 1262 on my 90 gallon does the job, also like Goodwood said it has a 3 year warranty. Also reliable and quiet.

 

[rich11426]

I have the All Glass Mega Flow in my 65 gal and I use a mag 9.5 I have 6 ft of head, plus add about 1/2 a ft for each ell I plumbed it to return some water back to my sump if it was to strong. Anyway use the head loss calculator on the home page to check the pump you want to use.

 

[NickBee]

Ok,, so I guess the 600 GPH rating of the overflow is a bit understated?

 

[kmf507]

I have a 90g and use a mag 9.5. I put a ball valve on the return so I can cut back the flow.

 

[NickBee]

ok,, so far I like the idea of replacing my mag7 with an Eheim 1262. Anyone else have some experience with this tank and pumps?

thanks!

 

[NickBee]

Found this:
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium...bby_powerheads_information.asp#1046_1048_1250

At a 4' head the Eheim 1262 is still at 800GPH. Seems like they are more efficient than the Mags..

Good stuff

 

[jamison74]

i have a 90 with a 9.5 mag, no ball valve run full throttle, no problems

 

[Giovanni]

I have a Oceanic 70RR that I ran a 1262 on with NP. I now have 2x vortech pumps in the tank and throttle back the 1262 as you don't need that much flow through the sump.

 

[sjm817]

Mag pumps dont flow well unless you use large plumbing. They lose a ton of flow when you add some head to them. You are supposed to double the pumps outlet size. For the people with Mag9.5s, that is 1.5". If you are using 3/4", you have a huge flow restriction and are not running anywhere near full flow.

Eheims handle head pressure much better and that is why they have so much more flow in real world use and dont need oversize plumbing to flow well.

Someone on RC tested an Eheim 1262 and a Mag9 @ 4' head. The Eheim was 800 GPH, the Mag, 500 GPH.

For an AGA90, an Eheim 1260 would be a real nice pump.

 

[Giovanni]

If you want to really up the flow on the 1262. Use the input fitting for the output and the 1 inch hose to match. I did this and the increase was more than just noticable, but I do not have solid test numbers.

 

[NickBee]

My limitation is going to be the bulkhead and plumping with the return on the "mega flow". I think it's 3/4" but have to check...

 

[sjm817]

Yes, 3/4" on a Megaflow. You can run larger plumbing up to it and inside the overflow. With an Eheim 1260, 3/4" is fine all the way.

 

[ralphie16]

i think you have the concept of circulation and water movement in aquariums a little confused.

you don't want such a high turnover through your sump. most suggest 5 times your tank volume. 75 gallon = about 375 gph. use powerheads or closed loop to get circulation in the tank, not your return plumbing.

your pump is rated corrrectly already

 

[ralphie16]

.

 

[NickBee]

mmmm,, well with the tank set up a closed loop is not possible without drilling. And that's not happening since the tank is full at this point. Is there a problem with running 10 - 15 times through the sump?

 

[ralphie16]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9069980#post9069980 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NickBee
mmmm,, well with the tank set up a closed loop is not possible without drilling. And that's not happening since the tank is full at this point. Is there a problem with running 10 - 15 times through the sump?

if you cant do closed loop then put a couple of powerheads in the tank itself. tons of options out there in regards to price, sizes, and ratings.

you can't push those drains you have much past 500-600 gph anyways and if you do you will overflow your tank.
(75 x 15 = 1125 which will not work with a single overflow rated at 600 gph drain)

if you buy a huge pump your just going to have to throttle it back to where your smaller pump is now anyways.

too much flow too fast in sumps also tend to create turbulence and microbubbles which looks unsightly in a display tank.