Main pump splitting

[Reefland]

Currently using a Mag 7 for our return and a Sedra 900 for the skimmer. I plan on adding an external fuge soon. Instead of adding another pump I want to utilize a Mag 18 for everything. About 700 for the return, 200 for the fuge and 900 for the skimmer. Any problems splitting the Mag 18 3 ways? Doeas all of the splitting need to happen at the same spot in the plumbing (using a 4-way)? Obviously I plan on adding a ball valve on each split.

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[charlie]

Personally, I wouldn't split a Mag 18, they are not really pressure rated pumps, I don't think you are gonna get real good results. You may get away splitting it for the fuge and the return, but you are gonna want that skimmer to perform well!!!

[Reefland]

Any suggestions on a pressure rated pump for this application?

[charlie]

I am gonna say an Iwaki or one of the Sequence pumps, all depends on how much flow you want.

[Reefland]

What is the scoop on the Reeflo Darts?

[charlie]

I use one to drive 4 sea swirls. I like it, really quiet.

[Reefland]

I am going to try to power our skimmer, return to the tank and a new refugium, one just might do the trick. Going to have to wait a while though since it is external...

[charlie]

What are they, 3600gph? I can't remember.

[Poseidon]

Darts are not pressure rated either Scott. I ran my whole system from a single Iwaki 70 for a while, it worked well, but the wattage was pretty high.

What skimmer are you using now?

[charlie]

Darts are not pressure rated either Scott. I ran my whole system from a single Iwaki 70 for a while, it worked well, but the wattage was pretty high.

What skimmer are you using now?

OOPS sorry I thought they were, my bad.

[Reefland]

Skimmer is a Bermuda Aquatics CS3 or something like that. Maybe a CS2 can really remember exactly and am browsing on my phone so I can't really research it. It is powered by a SEN 900.
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[Poseidon]

Bermuda Aquatic, Inc.

That one?

Is it a Beckett type?

My single pump application worked, but only with the use of a penductor to "charge" the return line. Before the penductor, the water level in the skimmer would fluctuate all over the place, I think it was caused by the lack of resistance on the open return to the tank.

Here are a few pictures of my single pump application:






This was when I first set it up:

[Reefland]

It is a venturi actually.