have a 180 with 2 overflow returns, question...

[scorcho]

How do I figure out what size return pump I need for my 180 with dual overflows?

[taku]

I don't have the calculators handy but you should find out how much water per hour each of those overflows can handle... once you determine that then you figure how high will your pump have to pump the water back into the tank.

For example if your overflows handle 700gph each, that's 1400gph MAX on a good day... then consider if you have 5ft of head to get the water back to the tank you might lose a couple hundred gph out of your pump. So I would probably get a 1200-1400gph pump and plumb it so you have the ability to restrict the water output from the pump if it's too strong. You don't want your pump running dry because it's too strong.

[JRaquatics]

Look around 1000-1600gph of flow. I use a Reeflo Dart on mine but have a manifold that feeds my skimmer, CR, media reactors and bleed off the extra flow back in the sump. If your looking for an external pump I would look into a Reeflo snapper or an eheim 1262.

[tufacody]

I use a Blueline on my 180 with two overflows, and also run a manifold similar to JR. I've had no problems with it. Also heard great things about Sequence.

[scorcho]

I checked my returns and I believe they are 1/2" the tank came wih a Iwaki WMD40RLT which looks to be rated @ 750gph with 4' of head, will this be sufficiant?

[sjm817]

3 - 5 x display size is a good general rule. 540 - 900 GPH. I and a buddy of mine both run ~ 700 GPH with our 180s. My Buddy runs an Eheim 1262 and really likes it. I have a basement sump and need a more powerful pump to handle the head so I run a Gen-X MAK-4.

[JRaquatics]

Yes the 40rlt will be fine for 2 - 1/2 drains. IMO they really should at least be 1" bulkhead drains though on that size of a tank.

[scorcho]

the bulkheads are indeed 1" but the pipes that go up and out the overflow are 1/2"

[JRaquatics]

You always want your drains to be as large as possible. I would re plumb it so that you have 1" drains.

[scorcho]

the drains are 1" it's the returns i'm talkin about, thanks for your help :)

[garyw68]

i did have two mag-7...I upgraded to an eheim 1262 for both my returns and love it. It runs a lot cooler and is very quiet.

[scorcho]

i may go that route and sell this iwaki, i have plenty of room in my sump for a submersible pump