2 Mag 12s for a 180g RR

[Anonymous]

I have a 180g RR with the two standard AGA returns. Right now I have a Mag 12 in my sump returning water through both returns. As you can imagine, there isn't a trememdous amount of flow in the tank. I do have another Mag12 that has been collecting dust for years, and I am now considering setting up a Mag 12 for each return. Does anyone else have a setup such as this, or maybe a Mag 24 as a single return pump? Any suggestions/comments very much appreciated!

Chris

 

[MattM]

You'll probably have to put gate valves on the Mag 12's to turn them down a bit. The AGA overflows hit the wall at about 600 GPH.

 

[Anonymous]

What do you mean by "hit the wall"? Sounds ominous!

 

[reefann]

I think he means they will only allow 600GPH, anymore your sump will keep running dry.
I personally dont know how much flow they allow
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[Anonymous]

time to break out the dremmel and widen the slots then.

I'd say go for it, if you've got a valve laying around, put it on the added pump.

B

 

[MattM]

I think he means they will only allow 600GPH

Yeah, as you approach 600 GPH the water flow seperates from the overflow wall, making it much noisier. If you go beyond that, the water level will start to rise as the overflow can't keep up.

Widening the slots won't have too much effect. It's the size of the drain pipe that ultimately determines the max flow rate.

 

[Anonymous]

I now see what you are saying.

Time to go get gate valves!

 

[Anonymous]

Should the valve attach right to the Mag, or should I move it up the line a bit?

 

[thhardin]

Chris,

I also have the AGA 180 reef ready. I have a 100G sump and 100G refugium in the basement. What I have learned about the AGA tanks is that you can not run much flow through the returns. I have a Sequense pump returning about 1200GPH (guess) to the tank and I am at the limits on the overflows. The returns are plumbed over the back of the tank (not back through 3/4" bulkheads that come in overflows). I have added Durso Standpipes in the overflows to the larger bulkheads for drains to the sump.

I am currently plumbing (2) 3/4" sea swirls on a closed loop. I am plumbing the 3/4" bulkheads in the overflows to large "intake" baskets within the tank (not in overflow, as overflows are already having a hard time keeping up). Water is then pumped to Sea-swirls plumbed over rear of tank.

You may want to think about this design or something similar. This will give you more circulation in GPH than your current overflows can "turn-over". I do not know how many GPH a MAG12 put out, but if a single pump will support your desired filtration / skimming turn-over, the added circulation of a closed loop on a wavemaker should certainly help out (and put your other pump to use).

If you do not like the closed loop suggestion, you could always plumb the 2nd pump into your system for redundancy in case of failure.

 

[Anonymous]

I really like that idea...and I think that's just about my only option...thanks, thhardin!