Return Pump for 93g Cube - Mag 9.5, 12, or 18?

[forddna]

If you had all 3 of these already on hand, which one would you choose?

I'm estimating about 6-7' head. That's approximately:

9.5 - 610GPH
12 - 715GPH
18 - 1050GPH

I'm reading mixed opinions on how much flow the return pump of a reef tank should have. I see 5x display volume and up to 10x display volume. I don't have a skimmer yet, but I'm probably getting a Reef Octopus 150SSS which is rated I think just under 200gph. My sump is small - the Trigger Ruby 20 cube. About 24g. It has a refugium section also.

I'm inclined to go small for slower flow through the sump, but I also don't want massive sand storms from having to rely on powerheads in the display. Helps!

 

[Julius Chen]

None of them. I'd try a dc pump for low noise, adjustability. I also feel mag drive does not provide large flow considering its size and weight.


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[jda]

Go with the 9.5. That GPH should be pretty good with the smaller sump size. You are very likely going to have to have flow pumps, so just size the return for the sump turnover.

Don't sweat a Mag. Most of them have been running since before the first DC pump came out and will likely be running when most of the ones that have not failed yet start to do so. Sure, there are better pumps like Fluval and Laguna, but a Mag is still plenty good.

 

[xtrattitude4u]

The flow you need will depend on the corals you keep. Generally you want the most flow without disturbing anything. That means sand isn't flying around and any softies/LPS are not stressed from too much flow. So if you had a bare bottom tank with all SPS you would have a lot of flow.

None of them. I'd try a dc pump for low noise, adjustability. I also feel mag drive does not provide large flow considering its size and weight.


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+1.
There's a lot of debate on here about buying jebao products, but I've had a DC pump on my 120 mixed reef. been my return pump for two years and I've never had an issue with it. It's also adjustable so you can have more or less flow as you need it. Also has a 10 min feed button which is nice. I recommend that since you don't really know how much flow you need yet. It is also really quiet.

I turn it on max when I'm cleaning the tank (with a filter sock in) and the tank is clear in minutes!

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[xtrattitude4u]

I'm inclined to go small for slower flow through the sump, but I also don't want massive sand storms from having to rely on powerheads in the display. Helps!

You will not likely get enough flow with any return pump alone. You will have dead spots in the tank that will collect detritus.

Don't fear power heads, they are necessary.
Get small ones and aim them in different directions so you get an "even flow", but not so much that sand is flying around.





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[forddna]

I worded that wrong. I meant that I didn't want my powerheads to have to make up so much difference that they are stirring up sand. Having powerheads in the display is a given.

I'd like a Fluval pump, but I just don't see a point in buying something if there's nothing wrong with what I have. And there are also a lot of possibilities for this tank to be temporary.

 

[jda]

There is nothing the matter with what you have. I have some mags that are over a decade old and still moving water.

 

[allicassydanny]

I bought a Mag 9.5 for my 90, 2 months later I bought a Jebao 6500. Much better flow and barely any heat transfer. It's been running great for the last 9 months. The Mag is now my water change pump.

 

[forddna]

There is nothing the matter with what you have. I have some mags that are over a decade old and still moving water.

That's kind of what I'm thinking. I just don't see it worth $200, at least not right now, just to get the tank up and running.

Thanks, everyone. I think I'll use the 9.5 for my return and use the 12 for water changes. I'll keep the 18 just to keep. I'm a hoarder of anything I "might" use later.

 

[ericarenee]

you need to calculate your head loss and OVER Flow capability,, Then choose a pump that fits . I would get a pump double the flow and dial it back by diverting some of the water back into the sump, I do this to run my carbon reactor and it keeps crap from settling in bottom of the sump....


Good Luck

 

[forddna]

you need to calculate your head loss and OVER Flow capability,, Then choose a pump that fits . I would get a pump double the flow and dial it back by diverting some of the water back into the sump, I do this to run my carbon reactor and it keeps crap from settling in bottom of the sump....


Good Luck

Okay. Thank you!

 

[ksed]

go with the 9.5. That gph should be pretty good with the smaller sump size. You are very likely going to have to have flow pumps, so just size the return for the sump turnover.

Don't sweat a mag. Most of them have been running since before the first dc pump came out and will likely be running when most of the ones that have not failed yet start to do so. Sure, there are better pumps like fluval and laguna, but a mag is still plenty good.

+1