SHANE_96INTEGRA 10 Report post Posted October 29, 2014 Ok i have heard a few different opinions on what size return pump to run. The 250 i bought has a mag 18 that came with it but the pump quit working after i got it home. I hear that the recommended flow is about 3 times the water volume of the tank. at 250 gallons that makes 750gph. I love eheim pumps but the 1262 is the biggest they sell, and at 950gph with head pressure and the reactors i just don't think that's gonna cut it. What are you bigger tank guys running for return pumps? Looking for an in sump pump also. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smtwinn 84 Report post Posted October 29, 2014 (edited) I run a water blaster 10000 Edited October 30, 2014 by Smtwinn Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kirk_m 736 Report post Posted October 30, 2014 (edited) I'd go with 10x turnover of the display, myself. Look into LAGUNA pond pumps, or, FLUVAL SEA pumps (which are really laguna pumps that have been modified). You'll be limited, however, by the size and number of drains, though. Edited October 30, 2014 by kirk_m Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
6lilfishes 221 Report post Posted October 30, 2014 That's what I am worried about with the 300 I only have 2 1" drains Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jrodinnola 63 Report post Posted October 30, 2014 I also could've sworn it was 10x on the return and just dial it back with a ball/gate valve if need be, but I was also told 3-5 times the total system volume turnover per hour, and use power heads at roughly 10 times the tank volume per hour.. hmm.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smtwinn 84 Report post Posted October 30, 2014 I've always been told 10x as well Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
6lilfishes 221 Report post Posted October 30, 2014 That was my plan. Tank is a 300 I have a Reeflo Dart for a retun pump and 2 mp60's and 2 Mp40s Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smtwinn 84 Report post Posted October 30, 2014 That was my plan. Tank is a 300 I have a Reeflo Dart for a retun pump and 2 mp60's and 2 Mp40s That's plenty of flow imo. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
6lilfishes 221 Report post Posted October 30, 2014 I am just worried about the return being to bid for the drains. I had the same problem as Shane. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smtwinn 84 Report post Posted October 30, 2014 Step them up to 1.25" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kirk_m 736 Report post Posted October 30, 2014 It depends on what you are keeping. The 10x turnover for the return pump is just to ensure that enough water is passing through the sump per hour to be filtered by the skimmer.The in-tank circulation, however, is really dependent on what you are keeping. My in-tank turnover is 40x my tank volume, for an SPS tank. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stoned 293 Report post Posted October 30, 2014 I tried a 2400 gph pump on my upgrade and had big micro bubble problem. Even after adding more bubble traps. I ended up using a 1750 gph pump. Still had to cut it back even with feeding my protein skimmer and refugium. I found the water entering the sump is what caused the micro bubbles. I tried several layers of filter padding, bio balls and additional bubble traps, the flow thru the sump was just too fast for bubbles to make it to the surface. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smtwinn 84 Report post Posted October 30, 2014 (edited) Mine are 1.25" to the bulkhead in the overflow box then 1" beneath the tank. Running the water blaster two 40's and a 60 Edited October 30, 2014 by Smtwinn Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
6lilfishes 221 Report post Posted October 30, 2014 Yea I made them 1.5 in the overflow thinking about running all 1.5 under the bulkheads too Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kirk_m 736 Report post Posted October 30, 2014 If you've got 1.5" bulkheads, why on earth would you reduce the plumbing sizes below the bulkhead? That reduces the amount of flow the system can handle, speeds up water flow through the pipes, makes more noise in the sump, and introduces more microbubbles. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
6lilfishes 221 Report post Posted October 30, 2014 It has 1" bulkheads Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smtwinn 84 Report post Posted October 30, 2014 Mine are what comes with Marineland tanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SHANE_96INTEGRA 10 Report post Posted October 30, 2014 I'm stuck in the same boat as twinn. 1" bulkheads. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
datboyhieu 19 Report post Posted October 30, 2014 Sicce 5.0 on my 50g Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coldjoker 79 Report post Posted October 30, 2014 Mag 7 on my 75 Water blaster 2000 on my 110 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LA_Mixed_Reef 63 Report post Posted October 30, 2014 Grab a RO DC5500, I have one and love it. I know many dislike the pumps but since the redesign everything seems fine. I guess time will only tell. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SHANE_96INTEGRA 10 Report post Posted October 30, 2014 Was looking at the water blaster 5000, Pretty close to the bubble blaster thats on the skimmer and its been running for a while. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Smtwinn 84 Report post Posted October 30, 2014 (edited) I meant water blaster on my pump. Sorry for the confusion. I also have the DC5500 on my skimmer. Just got it so far I'm impressed super quiet as well Edited October 30, 2014 by Smtwinn Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SHANE_96INTEGRA 10 Report post Posted October 30, 2014 Yeah i was just thinking with the fuge a little slower thru the sump wouldnt hurt anything. I plan on trying a few of the easier sps pieces but im more of a softie/lps kind of guy. (Geez i know thats gonna make the brk forum later). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coldjoker 79 Report post Posted October 30, 2014 The blaster pump I had was great, quiet, no heat, believe it had safeties built in if a snail or whatever stalled the prop, I would buy it again. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
