Searching for advice on pump

[Brando457]

I know this has been discussed numerous times and I've read plenty of threads but I'd like to get opinions from members on return pumps.

I have a 135 gallon tank with 2 overflows and 2 returns. The height of the return will be approximately 55" from the ground.

I have the ability to run the pump internally or externally due to various bulkheads on my sump so I'm open to suggestions for either.

I know the pros of external are less room used in the sump and sometimes less heat depending on the type of cooling it uses.

A negative is increased noise I believe and possibility for additional heat.

Pros of internal are less noise/risk of leak, but cons it will add some heat to the water and take up space in sump.

I was looking at the eheim 1262 but don't know if one would provide enough flow through the sump or there is the quietone 5000. Ultimately I want the pump to be quiet as the tank is in my bedroom.

Also I'd prefer it was energy efficient aswell, which seems a mag 18 would be out.

 

[9supratt4]

I know we've talked about this Brandon, but I figure I'd post here for other peoples opinions.

As you know on my 180 I use 2 Eheim 1262. I don't feel that they add much heat to the water if any. I hit 80.5-81 in the summer and 78-80 in the winter. I still suggest 2 pumps in the case of one failing. At least you have the one still running until you can replace the other. Also with the 2 pumps I get the max flow rate from each pump for the increased flow for my SPS. If you have 1 pump, it will decrease the flow a bit since it needs to be T'd off.

Just my opinion...let me know when you need help with the plumbing...and you are going to love that light!!

 

[Brando457]

Your pumps are quiet I just want to get varying opinions on the subject.

My dad saw the light today amd goes that's the light for the tank? What's it have lik 2 feet overhang on each side. Then he asked my mom how big is the tank. She said ask me, I told him idk. This should be fun.

 

[mr_X]

i would use an external pump. probably a sequence reeflo snapper. less wattage than the quiet1, and they are not noisy.
i used a reeflo barracuda on my closed loop and only heard the slightest hum whe close to the tank. i used a dart before that and i could not hear it run. i used to put my hand in front of the exhaust port to see if it was working.

i disagree on 2 pumps. there is no need for redundancy in this application. if your return pump fails, you would simply go to the store and purchase another one. you have powerheads and most likely a heater in the display (i'm assuming you are using multiple heaters and placing them throughout the system), so all losing the return will do is cut off the skimmer for a short time.

as for leaking- properly installed, you have about as much a chance of a quality bulkhead or the pump leaking as you do your tank.

 

[shipwrecked]

I too disagree on 2 pumps.The queit ones I think arent so queit.I have a 125 and use a mag pump(24) I love it.I dont see any issues with extra heat.good luck in yr choice..

 

[Nickjr000]

I'd go with 2- mag 12's or 1- mag 18. Id do internal if i were you. I have an external cause i need to push water up from the basement so it wasnt an option for me. With internal if somethin happens your water stays in the tank. And with 2 pumps theres no panic to get one if one of them fail. I have a reeflo on my tank and the same week i set the tank up the seal went on it. I had about 30 gallons of water on my floor and it took a week to get the replacement from them. I wasnt a happy camper.

 

[Jcurry@wesketch]

I used an Iwaki 55 and then a Panworld with 1100 GPH with that sump on my 125, both external. The Iwaki ran for 12 years before it gave up the ghost. So I would recommend a quality external pump.
I've heard good things about the Reeflo pumps but you're going to have some issues with that pump. First the bulkheads are 1" and I think the Reeflo needs a 2" intake. Second 3000 gph through that sump is going to be to much and you're likely to have micro bubbles being pumped back into the display.
If you're going to have powerheads in the display you won't need that strong of a return pump. Which will use less energy and be quieter. Most of the noise comes from the water entering the sump and not really the pump (as long as it's a quality pump).

 

[Baxreefs]

If you decide to go internal I'd choose Ehiem, Quiet One, & Mag in that order. IME, Mags are hot and watt gulpers, QOs are less watts so less heat, Ehiems rule on all acounts.

Nothing wrong with two if you really need the flow.

A PanWorld (Blue Line same thing) PX55x is a great, very quiet, 1" external pump that will run for years and years trouble free.

Personally I like 3 to 5 x my display volume running thru my sump so 450 to 750 gph is plenty IMO. What & how you feed your other operational equipment, skimmers, chiller etc. is in addition to that.

Consider the Pan World PX55X feeding a manifold would probably make you very happy depending upon your other equipment and how you are handling flow in the display.

 

[Brando457]

I'm considering the mag18, the eheim would be nice but the 1262 only offers about 900 gph. I'd prefer to do one pump tbh and if it fails I will swap it out.

I've decides to run internal pumps due to the way my sump will be setup.

What eheim or quietone over the mag18 would you guys suggest?

 

[Baxreefs]

That depends.

Why do you need more than 900 gph for "return flow"?

What are you doing for flow in the DT? Any power heads in there? (I don't like to rely on return flow for circulation flow within the DT) A Korila, Tunze or Vortech will provide way more flow than the return pump. And, there's always a CL (and no, you do not have to have a tank drilled for a good dependable CL)

Is your skimmer in sump? If not at what rate do you need to feed it?

Do you run a chiller? If so, at what rate do you need to feed it?

Is your fuge seperate from your sump? If so at what rate do you wnat to feed it? (I like 3x the fuge volume and no more personnaly, then a PH to circulate within the fuge)

Are you running anything else in a seperate reactor? UV? GFO? Carbon?

And, very important, what's the head loss rating on the pump.

So, let say you want 3x return form the sump that's only 405 gph 5x it is 675 gph. If you skimmer is in sump and you don't run a chiller, you don't need any flow for these items. If you run say a 20 g fuge, 60 gph is plenty. With the Ehiem 1260 if you set the return flow somewhere between 3-5x, you still have some flow for a reactor or two.

Anyway, that's sort of the process you what to follow to select a pump for your system.

I ran my 120 with over 240 total system gallons on a QO 4000 and a QO 1200 to feed my skimmer. And I had the QO 4000 dialed back a little. I did run a third pump to feed my chiller and act as a CL for my 75 g fuge as well. (BTW I won't loop the chiller to the fuge again, the chiller should discharge to the DT for best efficiency.)

I think you'd be pretty happy with the Ehiem 1260 or a QO 4000.

... just my $0.02

 

[JRWOHLER]

If you're going to have powerheads in the display you won't need that strong of a return pump. Which will use less energy and be quieter. Most of the noise comes from the water entering the sump and not really the pump (as long as it's a quality pump).

++++++++1
I have a Mag12 on my return one giant overflow with duel returns......I have the mag12 T'd off once for my reactor and once for the duel returns.
If noise is an issue then go for less return pump and more powerheads IMHO.
Go with one return pump .... the more flow the greater the waterfall sound you will have. Your powerheads can handle water movement till you replace it if it fails.

Bax also said everything else there is to say.

 

[Brando457]

Thanks for the replies! I think I'm sold on an eheim 1262.

Powerhead I have 2 x mp40w and don't plan on keeping many sps in general.

The fuge will b fed from th overflow that I'll t off and the skimmer is in sump asm g2

 

[Baxreefs]

Thanks for the replies! I think I'm sold on an eheim 1262.

Powerhead I have 2 x mp40w and don't plan on keeping many sps in general.

The fuge will b fed from th overflow that I'll t off and the skimmer is in sump asm g2

I think you'll be really pleased long term with the Ehiem. With 2x MP40s you do not need any help in the DT, circulation wise, from your return pump. That's some but kick'n flow. With that kind of flow, you'll be drawn to the dark side soon enough and the SPS will start poppin up in your system.

If you're draining directly to your fuge compartment of a sump, consider a bag filter at the drain if it's not too much trouble to change/rinse it regularly. It'll keep a lot of detritus out of the fuge. I have an asm g4x that I used for a while, (still do as a back up)nice skimmer but could use some mods, but, that's another thread!

When listening to all our good and well intentioned advice, just remember to way what matters to you most. All this rambling is just my opinion and falls on to that list of things that everyone has. ;D

 

[JRWOHLER]

It will also cut down on bubbles that cause salt creep ... a very good idea.

 

[9supratt4]

That's some but kick'n flow. With that kind of flow, you'll be drawn to the dark side soon enough and the SPS will start poppin up in your system.

I tried to tell him the same thing about SPS ;D

 

[Brando457]

So today I went to og2 and they had a steal on a mag18 with 2 ball valves and some plumbing. I picked the pump up it isn't loud like I imagined.

All that is left to get are salt and rock then my tank can cycle.

As far as sps idk I have 3 x 150 mh 14k and a 25" high tank.

Sps the nice frags are $$$$$, I think I do have an unhealthy addiction to acans. I'm hoping once this tank is setup I can people to sell or trade me acans, hammers, torches and some blue poly zoas, a nice chalice, some brains/favias.

Hopefully one day a nice clam if possible.

Although they had a blue acropora frag at og that I loved so we'll see.

 

[Nickjr000]

You can keep some sps with those lights, just put it all the way up top. After your tank cycles of course ;D

 

[Brando457]

Got frags ?