What GPH for return pumps do you guys run?

[swegyptian]

Hey everybody,

I was thinking of switching to a smaller return pump, as I want to reduce the flow through my sump. I think it would help reduce bubbles in the display, and reduce the noise of the overflow itself. I started out a few years ago with a Quietone 6000, and switched to a 3000 about a year ago. It reduced the noise, and uses a lot less electricity than the bigger version. Now, after head loss, I should be running about 500GPH through my sump.

I started thinking about this after visiting a fellow reefers house yesterday. They had two tanks, both of which were completely silent. The bigger tank was a 65 (I think), and he was using a maxi-jet 900 for the return pump. I also have a valve on the return, so I can just reduce the flow with that. I was thinking that if I wanted it reduced long-term that I should do it with a smaller pump, to save some juice and make even less noise.

Thanks for your thoughts,
Alex

 

[NanoReefWanabe]

couple option...use a smaller pump and many other pumps to power everything else...or, use your current pump in a manifold setup, and reduce overall number of pumps as well as reducing overall sump flow...

i run mine about 7 times display tank volume per hour...personally would also like it closer to 3-4 times though...

 

[Henry Bowman]

I run an Iwaki 30 pressure rated Jap pump. It runs about 6' of head with 4 90's giving me about 400 gph though a 90 gl tank. Or close to it.

I have a 8" DSB in my sump that the water runs over. Skimmer in the first compartment. I use 2 Tunze 6100's and 2 modified MJ 1200's for circulation. My sump turnover is probably about 4X. Nitrates are 0.00 and have been for about a year. Tank turnover with the Tunzes etc is 70X (+/-) I keep SPS and all is well on the reef.

Some folks go for a real clean set up with no equip in the tank. I can understand that but I rent and everything is in the sump or behind the tank. IF ? I had more space, I'd run a closed loop and separate return to accomplish the same with no equip in the tank.

My .02 Cents !

 

[bravanc]

I run a Mag 7 on my 100 gal and a MJ1200 on my 75 gal but it is only temp until i move everything to the 220. I do though, have multiple power heads too.

 

[Bamm Bamm]

I run a mag 9.5 on my 180.. I could go bigger or smaller.. i feel Like Im at a happy medium right now I've pushed a mag 12 through the same size overflow/duros before but Im starting to like a slightly lower turnover through the sump....I've been contemplating a mag 7 just to see how much quieter the overflow would be also..

 

[swegyptian]

So I think I technically have lower flow through the sump than most. After the using the calculator again, it seems that I am under 400gph on my 125. I think I might try closing the valve a bit and see if my skimmer keeps up.

 

[Bamm Bamm]

I'm not sure how your plumbing if configured but I wouldn't put pressure on the pump by backing it down unless you have another outlet going to a section in the fuge or something..Mines running at full throttle..i'ts back to throttle back most pumps..wears them out faster//

 

[Americanreef]

I run a Reeflo Hammerhead on a 125 gallon 5800 gph that pump works great no internal powerhead used but it required four drains otherwise the tank overflows from all the flow.

 

[sjm817]

Throttling back a pump does not wear it out faster or damage it. It is perfectly fine to do so. It adds head to the pump, no different than plumbing does. A pump is only wide open when it has 0' head. Once you connect up plumbing to it, you have throttled it back. I often see people running severely undersized pluming on their systems causing as much or more flow reduction that a partially closed valve would. A Mag12 with 3/4" plumbing is a common example of this.

 

[Bamm Bamm]

Ahh thanks for the clarification Scott good info...

 

[miatawnt2b]

I use an Eheim 1250 on my 90, and it pumps about a 4' head. The pump is rated 317GPH, at at 4' it's rated somewhere around 150GPH. After all of my bends and such, i'm looking at around 90-100GPH through the sump.

-J

 

[swegyptian]

Well miata, I guess you have me beat. I was thinking of switching to an Eheim, but it looks like they use a good bit of power for the GPH. I do like the quality of their products.