Return pump size

[samksy]

Hi guys,

Need your feedback/advice on the return pump. Would 1350gph return too much for a 150 gallon tank? Tank will be a mix reef. Or is 900 gph too low? Going with either the water blaster 7000 model or 10000 model. I feel that 7000 model is only giving 900 gph at 5 feet, kind of a little weak, so debating if i should up the model to 10000 model which will give 1350 at 5 feet height. What you think?

 

[NewfiDog]

For me the 900 would be enough, but some people live by the 10x rule. You could always get the 1350 and throttle it back, especially if you want to run some reactors off of it or anything else.

 

[thirty6]

for me the 900 would be enough, but some people live by the 10x rule. You could always get the 1350 and throttle it back, especially if you want to run some reactors off of it or anything else.

+1

 

[Imbarrie]

What is the capacity of your returns? There are 150 tanks with single overflows.

This will give you a max optimal GPH but I would not go more than 90% of that.

 

[rkaragozler]

As Imbarrie replied, it all depends on the size of your drains, if you have only 1 1" drain than you cant pump more than 600 gph into display.

 

[samksy]

The tank has two 1.5" drain and two .75" return. .Will probably go with the herpie style plumbing so no crazy loud water sound and higher flow rate.

 

[Reef Fixations]

I'm a fan if the WB7000 especially for efficiency.

 

[Frank@Wall]

I got a 120 gal using wb7000 pump for return and inline with 2 reactors. I have it throtled back a tiny bit.

Sent from my LG-P999 using Reefs

 

[B.BASH]

correct me if i'm wrong but i thought there should be a 4x turnover rate going through the sump and additional circulation in the DP with power heads

 

[Imbarrie]

A main pump and additional power heads are the way to go in most systems.
The turnover rate is different depending on the livestock.
A seahorse system would go with little turnover and a SPS dominant system would be much higher. Depends on what you want.
Higher turnover will also give less dwell time for any water passing through the sump with a fuge and skimmer.

 

[samksy]

I got a 120 gal using wb7000 pump for return and inline with 2 reactors. I have it throtled back a tiny bit.

Sent from my LG-P999 using Reefs

Frank, i send you a pm.

I'm a fan if the WB7000 especially for
efficiency.

What size tank are you running and type of coral you have? I am leaning toward wb7000 cuz it's 42 watts less, but again, i want to make sure i have more than enough flow. as i'm planning only to use two mp40 powerhead in display only.

A main pump and additional power heads are the way to go in most systems.
The turnover rate is different depending on the livestock.
A seahorse system would go with little turnover and a SPS dominant system would be much higher. Depends on what you want.
Higher turnover will also give less dwell time for any water passing through the sump with a fuge and skimmer.

Thanks Barrie, which one would you use if down the road, i'm planning to go majority of sps? thanks again!

-Sam

 

[Imbarrie]

I would stay below 1000gph. This means you would find a pump that produces that output at the height of your returns. 4 or 5 feet head pressure.
SPS can handle flow as they dont move as much as soft coral. However the addition of powerheads will increase the turbulence in the tank. If you max that out with the return pump then you are depending on one source for your flow.
In my opinion it is more reliable to split flow 50/50 or 60/40 favoring the powerheads in the case of a pump failure. Or just turning off the main for tank feedings.

 

[ming]

I also have a WB HY7000 on my miracles 144g. I'm also using two 1.5" drains with the herbie method. I actually have 4x 3/4" returns, but only 2 are active at any time with the oceans motion. The pump is open full throttle, but I also have a manifold off the return.
I also use two mp40's, but I also have a tunze nano wavebox just for sway motion.

 

[samksy]

I also have a WB HY7000 on my miracles 144g. I'm also using two 1.5" drains with the herbie method. I actually have 4x 3/4" returns, but only 2 are active at any time with the oceans motion. The pump is open full throttle, but I also have a manifold off the return.
I also use two mp40's, but I also have a tunze nano wavebox just for sway motion.

Wow Ming!!! you have lots of stuff! Good stuff i mean. Would love to check out your tank if you are open for visit. I'm in whitestone, litterally 5-10 minutes away from you. I need some inspiration on plumping, rockscape, and etc. Do you think i'll have enough flow if i just use 2 MP40 and wb7000?

I would stay below 1000gph. This means you would find a pump that produces that output at the height of your returns. 4 or 5 feet head pressure.
SPS can handle flow as they dont move as much as soft coral. However the addition of powerheads will increase the turbulence in the tank. If you max that out with the return pump then you are depending on one source for your flow.
In my opinion it is more reliable to split flow 50/50 or 60/40 favoring the powerheads in the case of a pump failure. Or just turning off the main for tank feedings.

Barrie thanks for the info. I think i'm convinced, i think i'll stay with wb7000 which gives around 900 plus gph at 5 feet height. Maybe i'll add another mp10 down the road if i need an extra pump....lol!!! Thank you again!!!

 

[ming]

My tank has seen better days, its looking more like an aiptasia farm w/fish :lol:, but you're welcome to come see my plumbing, rock scape, etc.
I don't know if I would consider it high flow, maybe medium flow, but there's definitely circulation going all around.

 

[Imbarrie]

Sounds like a great plan.
I'm putting together a 150 mixed reef but I have one overflow so I'm restricted to 600 gph.
I'm fine with that as I like a longer dwell time for my sump.
Saw your thread looking good.

 

[Reef Fixations]

Sounds like a great plan.
I'm putting together a 150 mixed reef but I have one overflow so I'm restricted to 600 gph.
I'm fine with that as I like a longer dwell time for my sump.
Saw your thread looking good.

Just in case u want to go bigger than 600 with your Return pump, I've successfully ran a Mag18 on a 110G Tall with a single 1" Megaflow overflow kit. It was on the louder side tho. It was full open without being "T'ed" off. I layed a piece of acrylic (with a small hole drilled in it) on top of the overflow and it quited it down significantly.

It had an ADHI Fuge on it and culerpa grew like mad.

 

[Imbarrie]

What is the maximum flow for a one inch bulkhead?

 

[Reef Fixations]

Allegedly 600-750 like u said

 

[Imbarrie]

So how would a mag 18 work? Or does it operate in that range at 6 feet of head pressure?