RETURN pump size for 120

[SnowManSnow]

what return pump would u guys recommend for a 120 mag12?

just trying to get an idea of the equipment im gonna need to set up after new year.. (head start ) :wink:

AND does anyone have an extra pump this size the need to get rid of

oh... for this would a 1.5 inch drain be big enough>?

THanks

 

[Brian5000]

It depends more on how far your water is traveling and what flow rate you want at the end. The directions for my Mag12 says it gets about 1100 GPH at 4 feet and 950 GPH at six feet (assume less if the water has to turn corners). It also says that 1.5" return is the minimum diameter for maximum flow.
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Mercedes Benz Ponton

 

[SnowManSnow]

Ok i didnt c where it said what size pipe i needed. I'll look closer. I always OVERSIZE the overflow a little just in case.

I'm not very concerned about the turn over rate. A 9.5 may be just as good since I'll have a fuge down there too.

I'll research more

Thanks.

 

[Ben1]

I perfer a slower rate through my sump, and dont depend on ym return pump for any actual intank circulation. I also have not been a fan of mags for returns. I perfer Eheims like an ehiem 1260, or 1262.

 

[kgross]

I will say the flow rate through your sump should be equal to the flow rate through your skimmer, so you can maximize skimming. Plus the sump system will be quiter and use less power. Use other items like Ben says for primary flow though your tank.



The reason to try and match skimmer flow to return pump flow. You install an overflow to collect the very top water that is full of surfactants, which are one of the things the skimmer removed. Then take this water and feed to your skimmer (you can use sump baffles to do this), then have the skimmed water flow through the rest of your sump.

If the flow through the sump is higher than the flow through the skimmer, you will concentrate surfactants, skim some out, the mix them back up as they are pumped back to the display tank, kind of defeats the purpose of surface skimming in the first place doesn't it?

Kim

 

[SnowManSnow]

Id rather my rerturn circulation be a little less than what the skimmer is going to pump. At any rate the entire tank is gonna pass through more than a few times a day. There's no reason to hurry the process.

I think I'll go with something that is equal to a mag95.

Thanks for the input guys.

b