White size return and pump for 180g mixed reef?

[tbone28]

I'm going to use (2) 1.5" bulkheads for my overflows, and had planned to use (2) 1" bulkheads for my returns. The owner of my LFS recommended using 3/4" bulkheads instead - He feels that you get more flow with the 1" bulkhead, but less pressure.

What are your thoughts?

I won't be using a closed loop. I'll be using (2) Tunze streams for supplemental flow.

What return pump would you guys recommend?

Would you use 2 smaller return pumps, or 1 larger one? The 2 smaller return pumps would allow for a "backup pump" in case the other fails.

Thanks

[anjhof]

eheim 1262

[REEFRHEAD]

well i ahve a 220 reef. its newly set up though. so anyways im using one little giant pump rated at about a 1000 gallons after head of 5-6 feet. but im about to build a new sump and install another one of these pumps and throw both of them on sea swirls ;) also i only have 4 other powerheads in the tank as of now so im still mad low on flow as of right now. so i would probably reccommend a little bigger pump prolly around 2000 gallons if its your only return. personally i love my little giants i have the simple flow kind not the pressure rated ones. also when i add my other return pump on the sea swirl si will be removing 2 of my powerheads because i dont like seeing them but i also have another 1000 gallons of water being pushed behind and through my big rock work. so even when i add my new pump and everything ill still only be putting out 15x my volume turn over as of now. so i will someday need some tunzes too but we will see i hate seeing powerheads. and yes with me ahvign the second return it is def a back up because if one fails the tank will still work like normally because the flow will just be distrupted not the whole sump system shut down.

[drummereef]

Are you looking for an internal or external pump?

[tbone28]

I'm looking for an external pump.

What are your guys' thoughts on the bulkhead size for the return?

[frederickk]

I'm using a Mak-4 as my external return pump and have a lot of flow.

[drummereef]

I was either going to do a Pan World 100PX-X or 150PS for my 180 build. Haven't made the call yet. :rolleyes:

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h215/brettvoelker/Icons%20and%20other/bump.gif

[Kaiser Tang]

I know your thinking external, but you can't beat a Mag. I'm running a Mag 24 with 1" bulkheads on my 150. Awesome flow!

[tbone28]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9852979#post9852979 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kaiser Tang
I know your thinking external, but you can't beat a Mag. I'm running a Mag 24 with 1" bulkheads on my 150. Awesome flow!

Please tell me what about the Mag you love...Any issues with calcium build-up on the internal pump?

[Kaiser Tang]

I've been running Supreme Mag Drives for 6 years. Never had one single problem. They always restart, they always have tremendous flow, they're easy to clean, they never break. I've only had Mags and wouldn't change. It's an internal pump though. But I have always preferred internal.

[Kaiser Tang]

No, no problems with calcium build up.

[tbone28]

Guys, what size return should I go with?

1" or 3/4"?

[skey44]

match the plumbing to the out of return pump (eheim is 3/4") this will be plenty to move 1.5-2x system volume through sump/hour. leave the flow to the propeller pumps-no head, no wasted energy and no heat. eheim 1262 should be plenty and it can be ran internal or external either way. mags run hot noisy and miserably compared to ideal.