return pump recomendations

[dwsindy]

Getting ready to set up a 125 with two overflows rated for 1200 gph. Looking for a quiet external pump used in the stand. I have looked at the sequence darts but at 3400 gph at 6' seems like a lot of flow.Also with a 2" input and 1 1/2" output will the input be a problem reducing down to 1 1/2" Price is right though.

Gen-x5 thoughts?

Iwaki MD 70RLT thoughts?

These are the three I am currently looking at but as always open to suggestions.

Oh I will have two tunze 6000's on a 7095 controller for flow also.

Thanks

 

[dougchambers]

If it were me, I would focus the majority of your in-tank current on a closed loop and/or your Tunze's. With that said, you can dial back your return pump to something a little smaller. Perhaps a GenX-40, Blue Line, or something in that range. We are running a GenX PCX55-HP on our skimmer and another one on our return and it's more than we need for the return. Our return is throttled back ~30-40% as is.

-Doug

 

[Ten33]

I have been searching for a good return pump (external) for my new 180, rated with 1200 gph overflows. I received alot of feedback on RC, and the Velocity T4 was mentioned quite a bit. Low noise and low power consumption were mentioned. Gen-x was also popular...

 

[moonpod]

T4 is bad b/c of heat production. Silence is golden yes, but heat is bad. For a 125 I'd target about 600 gph through the sump. That's it. Lots of pumps will do that for you that run fairly quiet. the GRI 510. The hd 40 or even the 30 might be enough (equivalent to iwaki 30 and 40 respectively).

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

agree with moonpod 500-700 gph from return pump at the head height you need.
A Mag 9.5 would do it too on the cheap.

 

[Saaack]

You can run up to 600 GPH per overflow, but this is maxing out the capacity of a 1" bulkhead. It would be safer (room for error, prevent flood) to run each overflow around 400-500 GPH. That way when a snail ends up in your drainpipe, your overflows have some reserve.

As for pumps, I use a Velocity T-2. Everyone says these pumps transfer alot of heat to your water. I have never taken the time to test this; heat doesn't seem to be an issue for me. Maybe my chiller runs more now than it did when I ran a Gen-X, I don't know. What I do know is I can't hear my Velocity. It's as close to silent as you can get. Every manufacturer in this industry calls their product "quiet". Don't believe advertisments. Go see these products in action. If I had done that, I never would have bought my Gen-X. Everything is a sacrifice / trade off. I'll gladly take some heat for peace and quite.

 

[dwsindy]

Thanks for all the responses and good point about the 1200 gph being the max. I never really thought about it that way.

I am assuming within the the 600 to 900 range I should achieve enough turnover in the tank? That would equate to 4 to 6 times turnover assuming 150 tank and sump volume.

Will the two tunze's be enough tank flow along with the return or should I also consider closed loop?

Saaack. I don't currently have a chiller but I am really sold on quiet. this setup will be in living room and I guess I can live with some noise but the quieter the better. How much of a heat issue do you think the velocity's create?