Return Pump size and plumbing

[vder]

Ok I will be installing a new sump when it arrives aprox. 40 gallon sump for a 135 tank . My question is what size return pump is recomended ? GPM ? I have a Little Giant 4 MDQX in service now but thinking of replacing it to a better pump. Any suggestions ?


Also will be redoing my plumbing right now I have 1" returns going to the tank . Should I change the return size ? The return lines go back to two corners standard setup on an ocianic tank. Any improvement I shoul make ? TIA

[the_blue_tuna]

Your question is a little vague for the details you provide. For instance , what is the 135? A reef tank has different requirements than a fish tank. For a reef tank the rule of thumb (and this is only to use as a starting point as different situations have different requirements) is 10 water changes per hour. That would mean that your pump would be required to pump 1350 gallons per hour. Then from that starting point you add all the varibles. You cant really decide on your plumbing until you decide on your pump. If you do a search in tanks,filtration and equipment you can pull up lots of different set up criteria and peoples experience with the individual setups.

[Poseidon]

I have 2 Mag pumps and LOVE them both... you can start there I also use 1" plumbing works well for me...

[vder]

The tank is going to have some fish and some corals in it. Was looking to replace the pump I have now. Looking for a guide line to go by . So the tank has to be turned over 10 X per hour. I am assuming I should take into account any lose of head pressure correct ? Or if the pump is rated for say 1350 gross before head loss and a net of 1100 thats ok ? TIA

[the_blue_tuna]

It would be my opinion that 1100 gph would be acceptable for a combination of fish and corals. Again things to consider would be types of corals , how many outlets will the discharge have and budget among other things.