What size pump for my return ?

[shilo_1]

I need some advice on what pump to use in the sump. I have a 65g tank, and plan on using a 20g as a sump but don't know what pump to go with. I'll be using a lifereef dual overflow.

[Salty Brother]

I have a mag 7 and its kinda weak, if I did it over I would get the mag 9.5

[avshockey311]

I also just got a Mag 7 for my 90 and Im wishing I would have gone with the 9.5

[shilo_1]

Now this is why I'm so confused. I posted a thread in the ligthing/filtration section, and received varied answers from get a mag 5 because your sump is so small...to....get a mag 12 since you can always throttle it back....

The overflow is rated for up to 1400gph, but I have a small sump (if I can find another way to fit a bigger one in there, I will, otherwise its gonna be the 20g. Originally I was thinking to get a Mag 9.5 since it would be plenty flow - rather too much than too little.

[Salty Brother]

get the 9.5, my brother has a 75 with 29sump and has a 9.5, and i used to have a 15sump with a mag 7.

[Peter Eichler]

I was going back and forth between a mag 7 and 9.5 as well for a 65 I'm setting up. I ended up with the 9.5 since too much is better than too little.

[milhouse74]

Hate to toss one out there that no one has mentioned, but a better more efficient pump would be a oceanrunner 3500 (or 2500). Much less wattage, and better quality. You dont hear much about them, but do some searchs those that have them love them Best kept secret in reef pumps, and cheap.

[TKByrnes]

go with the 9.5 i have the 7 and wish i would have gone with the 9.5 it really depends on how your return is going to be i have my return set at a 45 down into the tank and its a little too much flow on the rock.

[affan]

Another vote for Aqua Medic's OR.

[xtrstangx]

My opinion on the matter. Go for a Mag 5 or a Mag 7. Your sump is relatively small so microbubbles could be an issue with a Mag 9.5.. I ran a Mag 9.5 on my 30" sump with 1.25" baffle spacing and still had a little bit of microbubbles.

I recommend picking your return pump based off the sump size, not the display size.

[mg426]

Thats my take on it as well.

[PatrickJ]

You want flow. Put a ball vavle on the output of your pump so you can regulate if you have too much.

I doubt that you will.

[leeweber85]

Sump returns are supposed to be 3-5X the tank volume, so you will only need 195-325 Gph at however much head..

I recommend the ocean runner 2500. I think it's 600 or 650gph @ only 38watts ($55 I believe). I have the ocean runner 3500 and it's practically dead silent. My second pick would be an eheim.

[milhouse74]

Shilo,
I didn't mean to start the topic to stray into oceanrunner, but do a search on them here, you will see why I brought them up. Plus Aqua Medic has the best customer service ever.

David

[shilo_1]

David, no worries. I only said Mag pumps, since they are the most common (and the only ones I have actually used with success.)
I'll take a look at the oceanrunner and compare. So which do you suggest, the 2500 or 3500 ?

Thanks for the input everyone !

[milhouse74]

Are you planning on having powerheads in the tank? How are youplanning on plumbing the return? What kinds of corals, these are all key questions I am a little suprised no one asked.

Corals: Sps you will want higher flow

Powerheads: Will all of your flow come from the return? If so you will want the higher GPH.

Plumbing: Well, considerations like head loss, loss to bends, amount of returns flow will go through, etc. All makes a difference.

[shilo_1]

Well, since its going to be my first sump, I want to try and keep the plumbing as straight and simple as possible. Not exactly sure how and what yet though. I'm trying to figure out what all is needed before I start buying things. If I can up the size of the sump I will, but it won't be much of a jump up in size, due to space limitations.

I will still have some powerheads in the tank, so it won't be the only flow.

Its for a mixed reef. Mainly zoas, but also some other softies, LPS and SPS too, but I figure for high flow items, the PH will do the trick.

[milhouse74]

Then I would probably go with the 2500. That way you can still do a high flow powerhead or two, and not worry too much that your LPS will get upset from being whipped around. The sump will be directly under in the stand?

I am doing my first sump right now as well.

[shilo_1]

Yes, the sump will be going in the stand, directly under the tank.

[milhouse74]

There wouldn't be an overly large amount of head loss, and you will want it lower flow for skimming and refugium, so I would say the oceanrunner 2500. The small one should work fine.

David

[sjm817]

You want 3 -5x display volume for return flow, which is ~ 200 - 325 GPH.

I'd use an Eheim 1250. You probably want to use just 1 of the U Tubes in the LR to keep velocity good through it.