help me choose a return pump!!

[rammin28]

I am setting up my first reef tank. It is a 180 rr. I have a 58 gallon sump and a 29 gallon refugium. The fuge will be gravity feed back to sump. I have been looking at the Mag 18, oceanrunner 6500 and the panworld 100xx. I have a budget on this. I cant decide if I should go external or internal. I can do either. I feel safer with the internal but that is me being a newb. I will have about 5 feet of head pressure, 3 90s. It will be feeding 2 1" returns. My drains are 1.5 bulkhead with 1" dursos.

Another question is should I tee off and valve a line to the fuge or use a separate pump. The fuge will have about 3 90s and be going to a 1" bulkhead.

Anyone that could help me I would greatly appreciate it. Please chime in if you have experience with these pumps.

[seagirl]

of those choices i would go with the OR. i believe it can be run external or internal(not 100% sure). I like to run my return pump(eheim 1262) external. it helps cut back on heat and less maint. i think.

[ThaNgBOm321]

im a of panworlds.. they friggn rock.. for external.. i would go panworld unless i had a drain that can handle a sequence.... for in submerged... i would get a OR.. you cant beats it's durablity and performace for it's price imo... i would like to try out a ehiem one day but dont think i can drop the dough for it...

YzGyz

[rammin28]

Does anyone have a suggestion to run flow to my fuge?

[rammin28]

bump

[scatty25]

i would always go external

[dsanfilippo]

stay away from the mag...too loud. I would also go with external. Look into the sequence line, but make sure you get the right one....the non-pressure rated ones arent too good for returns...much better as closed loops.

[pjf]

I prefer external return pumps because I want the return compartment to be used for water changes and a pump may get in the way of mixing salt solution. To save space in your cabinet, you can place the pump on a large (1-1/4” diameter) bulkhead and elbow. I also think external pumps need less cleaning.

Your 1" return hose will mate well with the 1" threaded fittings of an Iwaki MD30 or MD20. I have an MD30RLXT but will be replacing it because I don't need such a strong return flow and don't like the noise.

I would not place the refugium on a “T” because too much detritus will build up in the chaetomorpha. Even without a tee, the chaetomorpha must be rinsed clean each time you change the water. It's easier to empty a skimmer cup.

[rammin28]

if not teeing off the return then how else would I feed it. I would love one of the reeflo pumps but they are all to much pump for my return. I think? Any other pumps that are around the price of the pan world or the or 6500 that are tried and trued?

[frank2926]

Tee off of the drain. Better for the fuge to get water that has not been skimmed or thru a sock.

[MrSandman]

Originally posted by pjf
I prefer external return pumps because I want the return compartment to be used for water changes and a pump may get in the way of mixing salt solution. To save space in your cabinet, you can place the pump on a large (1-1/4” diameter) bulkhead and elbow.

I was thinking of doing this as well. Where did you get your 1 1/4" bulkhead from? Is it a schedule 80 or schedule 40? Only place i could find 1 1/4" bulkheads from was from www.savko.com but they are schedule 80.

[rammin28]

i cant tee off the drain the display is too low cannot drain back to sump anyway. sump is on the other side off the wall that the display is. I have already thought about that.

[TChristman]

For an external pump take a look at the Genx40. I have run these pumps for 5 years without a problem. Pressure rated, good power and low power consumption. Just an idea and happpy user.

[greenhut]

Sequence pumps are one of the best. Outstanding quality, quiet, great support.

[rammin28]

I have a Gen x pump on my skimmer. I have fired it up with freshwater only and it seems a little loud. I have looked into these pumps also. Still cant make up my mind.

[timrandlerv10]

this is a dumb question, but why are you getting such large pumps? what is the feed rate on your skimmer? lets say its 2x tank volume, you're looking at <200 gph. will these pumps only put out that much flow at 5'?

[rishma]

I agree with timrandlerv10, the pumps under discussion are very large for return.

In the past I always ran external for the reasons stated above, but have recently switched to submersible ehiem and I will not likely go back to external. I have become a noise nut and submersible ehiem is as good as it gets (or OR I suppose, but have not used them.).

I like to feed my skimmer direct from the overflow and see no need to exceed the skimmer feed flow. I'd shoot for 2X total volume per hour. anything over that is just wasted energy in my opinion, plus more noise, more microbubbles, etc.

[sjm817]

I have a friend that uses an Eheim 1262 as a return for his 180. Its has plenty of flow, is very quiet. A great pump fro that size tank.

[kdblove_99]

I used a Ocean runner 3500 on my 180.

Great pump and very affordable

[MrSquid]

Originally posted by kdblove_99
I used a Ocean runner 3500 on my 180.

Great pump and very affordable

What else are you feeding with your 3500? JUST the returns? On what kind of head?

[rammin28]

I have a genx 6500"i think" modded pump on my skimmer. It flows about 1500 gph.

[pjf]

Originally posted by MrSandman
I was thinking of doing this as well. Where did you get your 1 1/4" bulkhead from? Is it a schedule 80 or schedule 40? Only place i could find 1 1/4" bulkheads from was from www.savko.com but they are schedule 80.

My bulkhead is schedule 80. Schedule 80 & schedule 40 PVC have compatible threading and can be mixed. I actually prefer schedule 80 because it is sturdier and its dark color hides soiling. Savko is excellent but I did not know about Savko when I ordered.

1-1/4" thread x thread bulkhead: http://www.aquarium-supply.biz/product_p/ris11814.htm
1-1/4" strainer: http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/...etail/iid/8584
1-1/4" 90-degree Male x Female elbow: http://www.plumbingsupply.com/pvc.html#90
1-1/4" x ? threaded bushing: http://www.plumbingsupply.com/pvc.html#90 (Size bushing for pump inlet)

An external pump on a 90-degree elbow is easy to service. If you need to remove the pump, you simply lift it up and turn. Easy servicing and space savings are great reasons for putting external pumps on 90-degree elbows.

Place the bulkhead low and to the rear of the sump tank. I used my computer to draw a circle with an "X" and taped it to the glass as a guide for the glass shop. Alternatively, you can hand the bulkhead to the glass shop and let the shop figure out how to place it as low and as rearward as possible.

Do size the plumbing larger than the pump inlet. Don't forget the Teflon tape.

[rammin28]

bump for more opinions

[reef_doug]

Originally posted by sjm817
I have a friend that uses an Eheim 1262 as a return for his 180. Its has plenty of flow, is very quiet. A great pump fro that size tank.

I have the Eheim 1262 internal for my 180g, it works fine. In hine site, I should have plumbed 2 x 1" returns instead of one and get 2ea Eheim 1260 or 1262. This will allow you to plumb the refug and/or chiller off one of the returns and still get maximum flow.

I noticed you have 2 x 1.5" bulkheads but only 1" Durso's. Why not 1.5" Durso's?

[rammin28]

Because I was stupid 4 years ago when I set it up for Frontosas. What circulation do you run in tank Doug?