Best Return Pump in 1200 GPH range?

[WallyBackm]

Looking for least wattage return pump that is submersible to sit in sump. Ideas?

Thanks

[WallyBackm]

bump

[nyvp]

ehiems are great ir OR's

[oct2274]

what size is your tank?

[WallyBackm]

72 gallon

[chrissreef]

based on various threads - for submersible pumps it seams
1st eheim
tied for second Ocean runner or mag7 (but the OR doesn't use US fittings?)

[oct2274]

I take it this is for your return pump. does your 75 have dual returns? if not the overflow won't be able to handle that much flow. i would go no bigger than the oceanrunner 3500 and place a ball valve after it so you can adjust the flow if needed. that will be a great return pump for a tank that size and you could actually get away with the 2500.

[CruzinKim]

Typically, rule of thumb for a return pump is to turnover your display tank 3x - 5x per hour. So, you should be looking for a pump (after head pressure) that will run at around 350gph, not 1200gph. Your don't want to rush that much water through your sump, so keep to less than 350gph. If you used a pump rated 1200gph, the overflows would be unbearably noisy as well and bubbles galore returning to the tank. All the sump water may fill up into your tank, that wouldn't be funny.

Even the Eheim 1260 and OceanRunner 2500 might be a little too much for your setup. You may need to add a ball valve on the ouput and reduce the flow a bit.

[oct2274]

do not go any smaller then the 1260 or ocean runner 2500, it won't be enough after head pressure unless you have a really small sump or a severe problem with microbubbles from the output of the skimmer.

[WallyBackm]

Hey I do have dual returns. Thanks for the advice guys

[CruzinKim]

Again, you don't want to flow water through your sump at 1200gph. What's most effective is around 350gph. If you want more flow within your tank, use powerheads like Tunze, Koralia or Vortech, or a close loop system separate from the return pump.

[northbay-reefer]

High turn over rate is not as important for the sump, you just need a good constant flow, I think for that size tank 1200gph is too much. I run that much on my 210gal. For your tank you just need something that can push between 500-700 gph so I would use either the eheim 1260 or the ocean runner 2500-3500

[pito]

I was planning on haveing 1200gph flowing through a 40L sump on my 125g, but now think it'll be too much I do have dual returns, but this is going to be a barebottom tank and I wanna make sure that the detrious does'nt get pushed back up to the main tank. Any suggestions?

[pito]

Originally posted by pito
I was planning on haveing 1200gph flowing through a 40L sump on my 125g, but now think it'll be too much I do have dual returns, but this is going to be a barebottom tank and I wanna make sure that the detrious does'nt get pushed back up to the main tank. Any suggestions?

[sjm817]

Originally posted by pito
I was planning on haveing 1200gph flowing through a 40L sump on my 125g, but now think it'll be too much I do have dual returns, but this is going to be a barebottom tank and I wanna make sure that the detrious does'nt get pushed back up to the main tank. Any suggestions?

Use 100 micron filter socks on the drains. You DO NOT want 1200 GPh through a 40G sump. Maybe 400 - 500 or so.

[bubbletip2]

I am curious about everyone's feelings about not turning over too much water through the sump. Everyone keeps telling him not to but has not given him a reason why.

Thoughts?

[kdblove_99]

Least amount of wattage i dont think you can beat a Oceanrunner 2500

[pito]

Originally posted by sjm817
Use 100 micron filter socks on the drains. You DO NOT want 1200 GPh through a 40G sump. Maybe 400 - 500 or so.

I was hopeing to stay away from filter socks. I'd rather the detrious settle in the sump or get picked up by the skimmer.

[pito]

Originally posted by bubbletip2
I am curious about everyone's feelings about not turning over too much water through the sump. Everyone keeps telling him not to but has not given him a reason why.

Thoughts?

I think this explains it

Originally posted by CruzinKim
Typically, rule of thumb for a return pump is to turnover your display tank 3x - 5x per hour. So, you should be looking for a pump (after head pressure) that will run at around 350gph, not 1200gph. Your don't want to rush that much water through your sump, so keep to less than 350gph. If you used a pump rated 1200gph, the overflows would be unbearably noisy as well and bubbles galore returning to the tank. All the sump water may fill up into your tank, that wouldn't be funny.

Even the Eheim 1260 and OceanRunner 2500 might be a little too much for your setup. You may need to add a ball valve on the ouput and reduce the flow a bit.

[bubbletip2]

Well this is exactly my point. Thi information may apply in some systems. I have a Dart return on my 156g pushing 2000gph+ and my tank is crystal clear and my drains are less noisy than those with 3-5x turnover. It is just all in the way the tnak is designed.

[pito]

bubbletip2, how big is your sump

[bubbletip2]

37 gallons - I do use 100 micron filter socks with dual drains and dudal returns. I had to crank the dart down while the piping got its biofilm but can now turn the dart all the way up if I wish.

[sjm817]

Filter socks are not a bad thing. They keep the sump clean, eliminate turbulence and bubbles, quiet the noise, increase skimming performance of an internal skimmer. I change mine once a week. Maintenance time is very minor.


I dont like, or see a need to run a massive amount of flow through a sump. If you can do so successfully, that is good too.

[bubbletip2]

Originally posted by sjm817
Filter socks are not a bad thing. They keep the sump clean, eliminate turbulence and bubbles, quiet the noise, increase skimming performance of an internal skimmer. I change mine once a week. Maintenance time is very minor.


I dont like, or see a need to run a massive amount of flow through a sump. If you can do so successfully, that is good too.

I agree with everything you say. Massive flow is certainly not necessary and really never was my intention when planning as I knew I would still need internal powerheads(Vortech & mjmod currently). However the extra flow is certainly inviting. This tank is humming along wonderfully. Brown diatoms were gone in 3 days(witht the help of 15 Astreas) and my sand is as white as it was when it started 3 months ago.

I had never used socks prior to my build and I have to say I love them. I also switch them out every week as part of regular maintenance.

Feeding reef tanks in what used to be considered excess is now common place in the hobby. The socks help to remove uneaten food through the so it does not get into ever nook and cranny in the system Feed, Feed, Feed!!!

I really was not trying to pose an arguement, just to comment that the advice given was not entirely true and if someone is asking how to get more flow through the sump, it is possible.

[sjm817]

Most people will have serious issues trying to put 2000 GPH through a 37G sump. How do you get your overflows and drains to carry that much to begin with?