[Samper]

As many of you know I was going to use something crazy like a mag 24 for a return but I don't wanna do that anymore.

My tank just got reworked and the specs are the following.

2 corner overflows with a 1" bulkhead in each.
For returns I have 4 3/4" bulkheads with those bendy nozzles attached.
I will have a wavemaker and 4 mj's also in this setup so return pump doesn't need to be so large as a mag 24.

I want a good internal pump but not too much power for either the overflows or the return nozzles.

Whatcha think?
I'll order whatever we decide on this weekend.

[middlemark]

What size tank again?
What kind of corals are you looking at?
[this is on the 20?]

So, with 2 1" drains - I wouldn't push more than 1200 gph through there ... that's just me, but you're pushing a good bit of water through the sump already with that.

I'd really gauge depending on the tank, the corals, and the equipment in the sump. IMO, there's a limit to what you need/want to push through the sump - once your skimmer/etc is getting fed enough water, you don't need to try for massive sump-flow.

I've started to think of sump-flow as more based on what the sump-stuff needs more than as a way to push water. For that it's hard to beat the customized closed loop or some of the more efficient powerheads. But ... just depends what you're keeping, what you want to work with.

--
On your sump [don't know how fixed this is] ... but I've been thinking a lot recently how I'd love it if my skimmer pump was in the first chamber and the out-flow in the second. Less `reskimming' and just seems like it might assist more of the water go through the skimmer as it separates the outflow from being caught by the pump. No idea if this would work for you ... just a thought based on what I've wanted to do recently.

I probably forgot all the things that would `really help' since it's been over a year since I set up a new system.

[Samper]

The display is a 75 gallon. 2 1" bulkheads behind corner overflows. Returns will be the 4 3/4" bulkheads.

The overflows will be plumbed to the first chamber in my sump where my Euro Reef 8-2 will be. There will be a large water compartment following the skimmer chamber and I guess that will be used for storage for extra live rock. Then another chamber where my return will be at. The sump dimensions will equal to about 55 gallons but won't be more than 1/2 full.

Forgot to add that the return pump will not only be flowing to the display through the 4 3/4" bulkheads but also I'll be adding another line up to my gravity fed refugium located above the display.

That give you a better idea?

[Reefland]

Samper,

You should try to determine what the maximum flow is that you want to push through the returns and to the refugium and work from there. Perhaps a MAG 18 can be utilized with a valve on the output to throttle back if needed. I don't think a 24 is needed and a 18 might be too much but for all that, a 12 would be too small. What ever you decide, I think you should consider the MAG pump for an internal solution.

[Samper]

Since this will be an SPS dominant tank I want as much flow as I can handle. I've read that if you throttle a mag back it wears the pump out faster is that true? I want as much flow as my overflows can handle and am assuming that with 4 3/4" returns and a line going to the refugium that I can actually pump close to 2000 gph through it. I will be using durso pipes and don't think that the overflows will get clogged cause of the way I designed them. No critters large enough to clog them will be able to get in and I'll maintain the overflows daily if I have to although I don't forsee having enough crap floating in the water to even think of it clogging. Stuff happens but I'm dilligent with maintenance.

I'll go with a mag and I'm thinking that with the other flow I'll have with the MJ's and possible a tunze or seio that the 12 will work fine but then again I've never set up something large.

[Reefland]

I don't think it's a matter of getting the volume to pass through the drains or the returns, I think it might be a matter of getting it to flow through a sump and be able to keep the bubbles out. Now if your going to go with a 36" or longer sump that incorporates multiple baffles then you'll be fine, anything smaller and flowing that much water could be a problem.

[Samper]

It'll be close to 48" with 6 baffles if I have anything to do with it....and I do.

I'm going to go with the 12 I think. In an earlier thread Poseidon stated that the 12 worked out perfectly with his setup.

[Samper]

Is there a difference in the silver and black ones? On some ads they are listed as a pond pump, on some they list for both and some only say aquarium pump.

[Reefland]

No there is no difference, a MAG 12 is a MAG 12.

[Samper]

I checked the sponsors but the prices are all about the same. Anyone selling one?

[Poseidon]

Yup MAG 12 runs wide open with my 2 1" drains. I use 1" return line, so you should be fine with 4 3/4" I think you will have less velocity, but the same volume, which is better!

Oh yeah, premiumaquatics.com fast friendly cheap...

[Samper]

For some reason I can't ever get on the premium aquatics website from my computer. I don't know if my firewall is keeping it from opening or what but all I get is that page that says it can't find the server.

[Poseidon]

That is strange! Even using links from here? AND typing it in?

[Samper]

I finally got it up last night.

[ereefic]

Originally Posted by Samper

I finally got it up last night.

Congratulations!!!!

Seriously, have you considered running an external pump and running the intake up and over the side of the sump? This will give you more options on pump and may help in adding unnecessary heat to the water.

[Reefland]

Originally Posted by ereefic

Congratulations!!!!

Seriously, have you considered running an external pump and running the intake up and over the side of the sump? This will give you more options on pump and may help in adding unnecessary heat to the water.

That is a good idea but how much would it reduce your sump length Samper? I know your trying to maximize the sump length to the space you have available under the tank.

[samvanrl]

I just ran acrros this thread while searching for Mag 12. I have one and like to use for water return of a reef tank. My Mag 12 pump has 6 metal screws. Are they bad for reef tank?