Which pump for my new tank? mag 9.5/12/18

[Ding2daDong]

I first planned on running a mag 9.5 that would tee off to my red see berlin skimmer and return... The more and more I talk to people the more I keep hearing different opinions on which pump to go with. I am now considering a mag 12 or worst case if needed a mag 18. If anyone can help me out on which one would be the best for teeing off that would provide enough for the skimmer and tank? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I am still new to this hobby and I'm on my own building this. Thanks again

-Matt

 

[Abengochea]

well according to http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=RS1111
you need a pump that moves about 800 to 900 gph. Most people run pumps that are about 600 gph for the return to the tank. I dont like the idea of using one pump for 2 jobs though. One reason is maintenance and repair. If for some reason the pump craps out on u, then you have no return AND no skimmer. Another is that it will be difficult to split the flow from the pump and know that one side is getting 800 gph flow and the other has "X" flow. You are probably better off getting 2 different pumps to handle the different jobs. Just curious, what made u decide on the red sea skimmer?

 

[Ding2daDong]

I got it used and it was cheap. A few people I know have them and recommended them to me. I know its old but they have told me good things about the skimmer. Should I know something...

Thanks for your help, I just didn't want the water temp rising to much.

Thanks again

-Matt

 

[Abengochea]

Theres nothing bad Ive heard about the skimmer. I just thought u had purchased it new when it seems for the price u can get a needlewheel based skimmer instead since its a newer technology. Some pumps will Xfer more heat to water than others but if u run a fan over the water, it is usually enough to maintain the temp in the tank

 

[racermike27]

What size tank are you using and what is the tank going to be used for (SPS, LPS etc..)

I have a 90G and usa a MAG12 for the return. I have a separate MAG5 in the sump for my AquaC EV120. The MAG12 is tuned back a bit and has a separate diverter to return the excess to the sump. I agree with using separate pumps for different things. It may run more heat but it seems more reliable and accurate to me.
I also use a SEIO 1500, 620 and an MJ MOD in my tank for flow. and two regular MJ's

HTH

Mike

 

[Ding2daDong]

Its a 33g long with a 20g long sump. I am trying not to use powerheads in the tank. So I guess right now I am looking at a mag 9.5 for the skimmer and a mag 5 or maybe bigger for the return, that will be teed off in two or four different areas. Any ideas or comments would be really appreciated since I dont want to mess up the first time. Thanks again

-Matt

 

[Abengochea]

if you are looking to avoid powerheads in the tank, you should look into setting up a closed loop. You dont want to get a lot of flow through the sump so about 600 gph should be fine but you should have more flow inside the tank.