Return pump

[30cube]

I am looking for recommendations for a return pump. I have a 20 gallon long sump in the basement and a 28 gallon cube on the 1st floor. It needs to pump a total of 12 feet with 2 90 degrees angles. I am curently using a mag 18, but I am not happy with the flow.

Mike

 

[marti224]

May want to reconsider your design. That is a lot of electricity to move a little bit of water.

 

[30cube]

Any suggestions would be great. I have my reactors in the sump and it might be tough to plumb in the stand.

 

[reeftivo]

mags are one of the better head pressure pumps out there but are not very energy efficient. the 18 is rated at 1800gph at a 1 foot head. you should be getting between 450 to 700 gph at 12 ft which should be more than enough flow for a tank that size. Are you relying on the return pump for the display flow to the animals? Do you have other power heads or stream pumps inside the display?

 

[30cube]

I will have to time the flow rate. It did not seem too strong. For tank flow I have 2 mp10 vortech pumps. Any energy efficient pumps?

 

[reeftivo]

not for pumping that distance.

externals would be around 200+watts and you'd have to plumb the sump.

what kind of room do you have in the stand?

 

[reeftivo]

the eshopps RS 75 is pretty small (18 x 10 x 16"H) but it still may not fit the cube.

Tunze makes a nice small sump kit that will fit but it probably costs as much as your entire cube set up.

Marineland makes a small biowheel sump that may be able to be modded.

 

[TheFishTeen]

Blueline 55 HD External is my recommendation.