What pump should I get?

[Neurotech]

I am going to need a submersible return pump for my 54 corner tank's new 15 gallon tall sump. Any recommendations as far as brand, model, GPH, etcetera are appreciated. I have never had a sump before, so any info is likely news to me.

[jnfallon]

Dont get one thats too big. PRobably only need 150-200 g/hr.

What are you running for a skimmer? Remora? Back of tank or in sump?

[Neurotech]

in sump euro-reef rs80

[fishome25]

really? I'd go w/ mag 7, 700gph

[Neurotech]

Mag 7 is submersible? I guess you can't have too much turnover.....I don't yet understand how I regulate the height of the water in the sump, and make sure that I have enough room to prevent an overflow in the event of a power failure.
More opinions and debating welcomed!

[jnfallon]

actually, you can have too much turnover though your sump. Beyond the amount going through your skimmer every additional gallon is just costing money while creating noise and heat. True you get some additional tank water movement, but at great cost. Easier/cheaper to move it in tank.

Is the skimmer a re-circulating?

[jnfallon]

ok, i looked it up, and its not recirculating, but i couldnt find how many gallons the sedra 3500 moves per hour.

What you want to do is partition your sump so the skimmer sits in its own compartment and the processed water gets put "over the wall" into the other side of the sump to be heated and returned. That way you are always skimming "dirty water".

Then you want to return enough water so that the dirty side is always filled and give yourself a little leeway. You dont want to process the water faster than its reurned or you'll have an empty skimmer compartment. Does that make sense?

As for how much water you put in the sump, you determine that by filling the tank itself, without the return pump running, until the sump is almost full.

Then turn on the return pump. The water level will go down - once it stops going down mark the level and that is your "fill" level. You dont want to fill the sump past that mark when the retun pump is on. If you do, it will overflow when you stop the pump.

[jnfallon]

Thinking more about it, in that tiny sump there isnt much need for a partition probably. Your sedra processes 350g hr or 6 times tank volume. I would think a rio 600 would be fine.

I'm not big on mags.

[vyger]

If you fill the 15 gal sump half way you should have plenty of room so you won't have to worry about overflowing the sump.I would use one partition for a bubble trap. I have a 10 gal sump 1/2 full and run a Mag 5 with a split 1/2 in. return.For your tank , I also would say a Mag 7 or similar for a return pump.

.... and thanks for the info on the corner tank!!!

[vyger]

Don't know if you have read this but thought it was interesting!!

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2003-01/gt/index.php

[woodworker1959]

I have a Mag 7 which I use for water changes and it's a great pump. It's rated a 700 GPH @ 0 Feet of head. That's if you didn't have anything attached to the discharge and just let it flow in the sump. You add head with every fitting that you use, with verticle height, and also piping loss. If you look at Julian Sprungs book #3 it explains head. You will have a verticle rise of approx 4 feet and some horizontal piping and fittings, probally adding a few more feet of head. At 7 feet of head the Mag 7 is moving 350 gallon per hour. That's about 7 water changes per hour which I think isn't overkill. I also fell that's a good size pump. If you have less fitting you'll have less loss and greater flow. Just an approximation.

[woodworker1959]

If you go to the Home page on Reef Central their is a good table to calculate loss. It even allows you to select the Mag 7 among other pumps. You insert all elements of your piping run you get the answer.

[fishome25]

don't forget about loss from head height. I'd think by the time you get to the top of the tank a rio 600 will be a dribble at best.

[DgenR8]

I keep hearing that RIO is changing things, and making improvements. For now, I recommend against RIO pumps. They have a poor track record for failing, and oozing an oily substance into people's tanks, causing a complete wipe out.
Granted, the problems seem to be less frequent, but I'd recommend a Mag over a RIO any day.

[Neurotech]

Thanks everyone - I have a bit more research to do, and I should be rock n rollin' soon.

[Neurotech]

What do you guys think about the eheim 1250 or 1260 for a 54 gallon tank and 15 gal sump?

[jnfallon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9162059#post9162059 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DgenR8
I keep hearing that RIO is changing things, and making improvements. For now, I recommend against RIO pumps. They have a poor track record for failing, and oozing an oily substance into people's tanks, causing a complete wipe out.
Granted, the problems seem to be less frequent, but I'd recommend a Mag over a RIO any day.

This I did not know. I have shied away from mag's because of the heat they generate. My rios were solid for years. (although honestly I only use them for water changes now)

[eboonaman]

not trying to confuse you but I heard good things about the Aqua Medic Oceanrunner Pumps

for almost the same output as a mag 7 the (700 gph to 650 gph)
ocean runner uses 1/2 the wattage as a mag 7 (38 watts to 60 watts)
something to think about.
they are on sale now at dr foster smith

chuck
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=14677&Ntt=ocean%20runner&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&N=2004&Nty=1

[teen]

i use the eheim pump on my 45 fowlr. its a great pump, not too loud either, and its right next to my bed.

if your not set on a submersible, id look into the quiteone external pumps. aquahut carries them for a good price and they are nice and quiet. i bought the biggest one and it ran me $108.60, its something like 1502 gph @ 0 ft head, but he had smaller ones for cheaper.

[Fragmented 99]

Anthing but quiet ones, they have difficulty starting after power loss and anytime it is unplugged.

[fishome25]

yes ocean runner and eheim are both good, I have a used ocean runner I would sell or trade but it needs an impeller.

[teen]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9163705#post9163705 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fragmented 99
Anthing but quiet ones, they have difficulty starting after power loss and anytime it is unplugged.

true, but if you just leave them for a few seconds they start up fine. at least mine does.

[woodworker1959]

Most of the time if I have a pump that doesn't want to restart after interrupting power it's due to calcium buildup. I've found that if I take the pump out of the system and soak the volute pump housing and impellar in white whine vinegar or something similar for awhile . Then rinse it thoroughly off the pump more often than not runs trouble free.

[teen]

out of the box they have this problem. they just have to get a good siphon going. i think its because the impellar takes a few seconds to get up to full speed so it doesnt create enough force to re-start the siphon after the power goes out.

[DgenR8]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9162578#post9162578 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnfallon
This I did not know. I have shied away from mag's because of the heat they generate. My rios were solid for years. (although honestly I only use them for water changes now)



http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=103466&highlight=lets+count+the+broken+RIOs

[puckbs]

I like the mags, i agree with tom go with either the mag 7 or 9.5...

[Antman]

I have the same set up 54 corner tank with 15 gallon sump Euroreef ES5-2 skimmer in sump and I have a Mag 5 with a Hydor FLO Rotating Deflector in the return