Recommended Turnover for Sump

[Nami19]

I currently have a MAG5 pump that's pumping about 300GPH through the tank/sump. Is that enough turnover or should I upgrade to the Mag7, which would give me around 460GPH?

I have several powerheads inside the tank itself for movement, but am wondering what the turnover should be for the overflow/sump.

[jnb]

IMO - what you have should be fine depending on your skimmer requirements and what else your sump is used for

bigger pump more money, more noise, more heat -

[wtac]

Personally I prefer a min of 5x turnover rate but since you're at 4x and assuming all is well, then spend your $$$ on your other vices ;). If it ain't broke, don't fix it as they say.

[David Grigor]

I agree. Upgrading your return pump from a Mag5 to a Mag7 will likely have no real noticable effect.

Keep the money in your pocket.....

[frank2926]

What size plumbing are you using? If you use 1 inch on a mag you will see much more flow, than if you are using 3/4 .

[Nami19]

the fitting for the mag 5 is 1/2.

[VaderWS6]

Mine is a little over 5 times an hour.

[frank2926]

Trust me or do a search ....put an adapter on to take your plumbing up to 1 inch right out of the pump and you will get about 100 gals an hour more ....Mags dont do well with head preasure. Their is such a thing as head loss due to pipe friction.
I looked on the head loss calculator but it only goes down to 3/4 of inch. So if you are going from half to full inch trust me you would see a lot more flow from that mag pump.

[VaderWS6]

Oh, mine turns over about 8 times an hour now :)

[Phreak]

<------ Taking notes here.... I'm plumbing up my 40 breeder tomorrow to a mag 7 return pump...... 1 1/2 drain w 2 3/4" returns....

[sjm817]

In general, 3 - 5x turnover for a non direct fed skimmer setup. And yes, you need to double the output size of a mag to get the maximum flow out of it. There is a pretty big difference between a Mag5 and 7. Using a nominal head of 4'..

Mag3 270 GPH
Mag5 310 GPH
Mag7 480 GPH
Mag9 800 GPH

You can see the 7 jumps quite a bit above 5, and the Mag9.5 is a much stronger pump (when properly plumbed)