Which return pump?

[Medic755]

So I am in planning stages of my reef tank. Here are the basics, 150gal DT and an Aqueon Proflex Model 4 sump. The sump will be in the basement on a 4 ft high stand as there is little space upstairs with the DT. All of my water change equipment etc will be down with the sump. The sump will be just about 15 ft below the tank and about 4 ft off center of it as well. I also would like to run a BRS dual reactor with the return pump. I want to do a mixed reef with a little bit of everything.

My question is what return pump?

I have looked at the Vectra L1 and that is what BRS suggested but others have said it won't be enough and I need a large PanWorld pump. I was hoping to stay somewhat economical with power consumption and would prefer to use a DC pump if possible.

 

[SFish]

What is the total height that the return pump will have to travel? Also how many 90* will you have? Most likely you will want an external pump because they can handle more vertical height. I find it hard to believe the Vectra
Will do the job as DC pumps don't handle head pressure well.

 

[Green Chromis]

:fish1: I would use a dedicated pump for the return and another pump for your reactors and what ever else you plan on using for filtration for your system. Since you are returning the water from the basement to a tank upstairs, you will need a pressure rated pump, and as far as I know, their are not any pressure rated DC pumps on the market, for the amount of water volume, and head pressure you will need for that tank. I would go with an Iwaki 70, or 100 LRT, or something similar, for your return pump, and you won't need a pressure pump for you reactors, and whatever else you will be using for filtration in the basement. Good luck with your new system. :fish1:

 

[SFish]

Lets say it's 10ft with no 90* then with the pump turned all the way up you are only going to get around 1000gph.

 

[Drewl117]

I run a L1 on my 210 with a remote sump but it's only 4 feet away and about 5 feet of head pressure. It's very quiet and it is plumbed into a manifold that runs a Brs dual reactor, SMR1 bio pellet reactor and a 20 gallon frag tank with no problem. I used to use a deepwater bldc12 but it was a piece of S***!!! The pump seems ok but I went through 2 controllers and a power supply in 9 months, and they still don't have power supplies in stock. I've had the L1 for 4 months now and so far it's been great! It claims less gph then the deep water and the wavelline 12000's but it definitely moves more water then the deep water without a doubt!

 

[gone fishin]

If I were in your situation I think I would like at Reeflo or Iwaki pumps.

 

[SFish]

:fish1: I would use a dedicated pump for the return and another pump for your reactors and what ever else you plan on using for filtration for your system. Since you are returning the water from the basement to a tank upstairs, you will need a pressure rated pump, and as far as I know, their are not any pressure rated DC pumps on the market, for the amount of water volume, and head pressure you will need for that tank. I would go with an Iwaki 70, or 100 LRT, or something similar, for your return pump, and you won't need a pressure pump for you reactors, and whatever else you will be using for filtration in the basement. Good luck with your new system. :fish1:

Thanks

That's what I was trying to get at.

 

[Medic755]

What is the total height that the return pump will have to travel? Also how many 90* will you have? Most likely you will want an external pump because they can handle more vertical height. I find it hard to believe the Vectra
Will do the job as DC pumps don't handle head pressure well.

Just two 45* on the way up with a 90* into a Sea Swirl.

 

[Medic755]

Thanks for all the replies! I figured I'd ask before buying a pump that won't be enough.

 

[GQuinn]

I use a Laguna 4200 pond pump in my basement sump. I get plenty of flow for my 120 gallon tank. I tried a BLDC 10 DC pump, but was not happy with the flow.

 

[Medic755]

:fish1: I would use a dedicated pump for the return and another pump for your reactors and what ever else you plan on using for filtration for your system. Since you are returning the water from the basement to a tank upstairs, you will need a pressure rated pump, and as far as I know, their are not any pressure rated DC pumps on the market, for the amount of water volume, and head pressure you will need for that tank. I would go with an Iwaki 70, or 100 LRT, or something similar, for your return pump, and you won't need a pressure pump for you reactors, and whatever else you will be using for filtration in the basement. Good luck with your new system. :fish1:

Thanks a lot!! The stipulation for my build is it's after the wedding in July so I have tons of time to learn and plan. So if i read the paper correctly I should get about 1650 GPH yes?

http://www.iwakiamerica.com/literature/md_wmd/IALT00034_MDBrochure.pdf

 

[SFish]

Just two 45* on the way up with a 90* into a Sea Swirl.

Those add to your head loss. I'm pretty sure the sea swirl will create head loss as well. You really don't need it.

 

[Medic755]

Those add to your head loss. I'm pretty sure the sea swirl will create head loss as well. You really don't need it.

So just a T-off to the locline?

 

[hkgar]

Here is a head loss calculator from the home page of this forum.

http://reefcentral.com/index.php/head-loss-calculator

 

[SFish]

So just a T-off to the locline?

Yes

 

[Medic755]

thanks everyone, this is really helpful. I'll definitely be going with a ReeFlo now after seeing this all.