Return pump for a 180g rr tank

[james30ct]

What would you guys recommend for a 180g RR tank with dual overflows with a standard 40b sump? I currently have a via aqua 2600 I believe but its not even strong enough to have water come out of all 4 ends of the 2 y's. Sump is in stand under the tank.

 

[james30ct]

Something that can be used with an Apex would be even better. I dont have one now but I've been debating getting one.

 

[hobbzz]

Something in the 550-900 gph range after head. If you mean controllable with the apex there are not many reliable options out there. And they are $$$$. Not even sure if they would work with apex, but abyzz and bubble king dc are controllable and reliable. A few new dc pumps look promising like ecotechs and maybe neptune iirc? No real reason to control a return though. Lagunas are my favorite, rock solid and affordable. Followed by fluval sp series, same pump but with ceramic bearings, a stand and different coupling method, also more expensive. Eheim would be another but you might need to run two to get that flow depending on head.

 

[james30ct]

Thanks for the reply. I was looking at past TOTM's around my size and saw one with a Quiet one pro 6000. Anyone use or have used one of these?

 

[hobbzz]

The newer models are decent, they fixed the impeller problems. Not sure how long they last.

 

[frankyrivera]

I just picked up ecotech vectra L1 for my 180. And while I agree pumps don't really need to be controllable. The reason I liked the vectra was because it is smart enough to detect pressure changes when I use a reactor off my manifold it increases flow to keep my return pressure constant and not get reduced by the water being diverted to my reactor. Plus I needed the extra head pressure as my sump is in the basement.

 

[frankyrivera]

I will plug it into my apex but I beleive most of the controls would be from the reef link

 

[Dmorty217]

I have a simple mag 12 on my 220g and have for 3 years. Before that I had one on my 180g. Works great for being simple and reliable.

 

[ghellin]

I run a Fluval Sp4 and could not be happier. I use it to feed a full manifold with two reactors and a feed to the fuge.

 

[james30ct]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

What does everyone recommend for flow in the tank? I have a Jebao rw-15 on opposite ends and a wp-40 in the middle and still have cyano.

 

[cas1069]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

What does everyone recommend for flow in the tank? I have a Jebao rw-15 on opposite ends and a wp-40 in the middle and still have cyano.

how are the powerheads pointed and what setting are you running them on?

 

[cas1069]

waveline is also a geat DC pump that will work with apex

 

[james30ct]

how are the powerheads pointed and what setting are you running them on?

middle on is on the back pointed straight ahead and the 2 on the sides point at each other across the tank. all 3 are on else mode and at full power.

 

[Sonicboom]

I've used a waveline DC10k and currently running a BLDC 15K on my 180RR, the waveline was run at 50% and the BLDC is run around 40%, both Apex controllable, plenty of power left over for manifolds