What the return pump should be?
- Thread starter maidia
- Start date
CleveYank
20 Years and Over
1 inch drains I believe max at 600 to 800 gph (safely that is) per drain. (AGA or marineland common bulkhead in their dual overflows)
Add some bends or unforseen logjam before it hits the sump and GPH can drop that 1200 to 1600 safe combined overflow range even more.
Unless you use flex pipe or have the 1 inchers almost right after the bulkhead dump into 1 1/2 or larger (recommend that if you can)
Whatever you do there, one of the best pumps you can buy for all around use are the Panworlds. If you get one higher than the combined output at the 3 to 6 feet of head from a sump to your display? This can be expanded to add feed loops to a chain of media/chemical reactors and or to feed a skimmer. So getting larger in the High pressure pumps that can actually take backpressure allows for back valves and extra filtering stages with 1 pump and one electricity cost.
Good Luck on your build.
Add some bends or unforseen logjam before it hits the sump and GPH can drop that 1200 to 1600 safe combined overflow range even more.
Unless you use flex pipe or have the 1 inchers almost right after the bulkhead dump into 1 1/2 or larger (recommend that if you can)
Whatever you do there, one of the best pumps you can buy for all around use are the Panworlds. If you get one higher than the combined output at the 3 to 6 feet of head from a sump to your display? This can be expanded to add feed loops to a chain of media/chemical reactors and or to feed a skimmer. So getting larger in the High pressure pumps that can actually take backpressure allows for back valves and extra filtering stages with 1 pump and one electricity cost.
Good Luck on your build.
dja1980
Active member
I started with a Pan World 150PS, but switched it to a Dart on my AGA 120g using the AGA Mega Flow kits in both overflows. I made the switch because the Pan World was an energy hog at 180w. The Pan World was rated at 1,100GPH, while the Dart is rated at 3,600GPH.
You would think that since the Dart is rated at a much higher GPH, that I would be getting much better flow with that pump. However, since the Pan World is a pressure rated pump, it handles head much better than the Dart. I believe I was getting around 1,000GPH with the Pan Word, and I'm probably getting 1,100GPH with Dart. The nice thing is that I have now increased my flow slightly and reduced my wattage by roughly 45w.
I also use a Dart on my closed loop.
You would think that since the Dart is rated at a much higher GPH, that I would be getting much better flow with that pump. However, since the Pan World is a pressure rated pump, it handles head much better than the Dart. I believe I was getting around 1,000GPH with the Pan Word, and I'm probably getting 1,100GPH with Dart. The nice thing is that I have now increased my flow slightly and reduced my wattage by roughly 45w.
I also use a Dart on my closed loop.
badazztealcobra
New member
I couldnt agree more. There is zero need to have that much flow through your sump. Size your return pump according to your skimmer....On a 120g with dual overflows and only pumping return water (no reactors or anything) I would look around 900-1000gph MAX.
Your circulation in the tank should be handled by the powerheads and/or closed loop system. IMO, you don't need to have a dart or something powerful running returns unless you're going to do a manifold and run reactors and everything else off it.
I would look at a Quiet One 4000. It only sucks down 50w compared to a MAG9.5 which is just under 100.... Less power comsumption, adds less heat, cheaper, and will be cheaper to run monthly. :beer:
dja1980
Active member
Agreed... just don't forget to do the Head Loss Calculator... which seems to have lost the "Submit" button at the moment, or am I missing something?
Edit... just don't use the link on the RC Home Page... for me anyway...
This link has the "Submit" button...
http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/hlc2.php
Edit... just don't use the link on the RC Home Page... for me anyway...
This link has the "Submit" button...
http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/hlc2.php
Last edited:
Whaledriver
New member
I have a similar setup. I would look into the Quite1 pumps. They have a 1 inch outlet that lets you run the plumbing wider. I would run 1" lines to the return bulkheads instead of 3/4.
Most of the flow now days comes from super efficient in tank flow type pumps, ie Hydor or Tunze.
I would get a Quiet1 6000 pump and a 1 inch SQWD. The SQWD would reduce the flow to the point where it should be a perfect companion.
Most of the flow now days comes from super efficient in tank flow type pumps, ie Hydor or Tunze.
I would get a Quiet1 6000 pump and a 1 inch SQWD. The SQWD would reduce the flow to the point where it should be a perfect companion.
Rod Buehler
New member
RobTop
New member
Badass is right way too many things to consider.
My view point is much like his, no need for that much flow to go through the sump. The sump is a filter and extra water, so your flow rate through it shouldn’t be much more than what your filter can handle. If your skimmer will run 400gph, that is all you need through the sump really. You do need more flow than that though, that is were power heads and close loop set ups come in. Some people do not like either the ph in their tank or setting up a CL, so the flow has to go through the sump.
If you can handle the PH in your tank Tunze are great I also like ether Seios both with controllers. I haven’t used the Vortex so I can’t comment there.
Closed loop pumps, or if you are going with a high sump flow darts are my fav. Quite, powerful, low watts and well priced.
A lot of people stay away from close loops cuz they don’t want to drill another hole. There is a way to go over the edge for a feed. If you want info on that pm me and I can get you directions and pics
My view point is much like his, no need for that much flow to go through the sump. The sump is a filter and extra water, so your flow rate through it shouldn’t be much more than what your filter can handle. If your skimmer will run 400gph, that is all you need through the sump really. You do need more flow than that though, that is were power heads and close loop set ups come in. Some people do not like either the ph in their tank or setting up a CL, so the flow has to go through the sump.
If you can handle the PH in your tank Tunze are great I also like ether Seios both with controllers. I haven’t used the Vortex so I can’t comment there.
Closed loop pumps, or if you are going with a high sump flow darts are my fav. Quite, powerful, low watts and well priced.
A lot of people stay away from close loops cuz they don’t want to drill another hole. There is a way to go over the edge for a feed. If you want info on that pm me and I can get you directions and pics
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