what size return pump?

[deejeff442]

i am building a 220 gallon tank
i was thinking mag 12 or 18
the tank will have at least 3 koralia 4 pumps
60 gallon fuge.

[mfinn]

Many people say the rule of thumb for return pumps is 3x to 5x tank volume.
I like the higher end.
It also depends on your overflow rating, the head presure you will have with the return piping.
You really don't want to use the return pump as part of the overall flow for the tank.

[Rouselb]

what is your skimmer rated at?? If you just have a sump with a skimmer and some active carbon, there is no reason to really turn over more water then what the skimmer is rated for. Make sure you calculate the head loss due to friction in the pipe, specially if you use a 1" pipe with a good vertical rise.

[deejeff442]

the tank is predrilled with 1 1/2 inch bulkheads so overflow wont be a problem.
i figured since i will have plenty of flow in the tank by way of koralias i might not need as much main pump.
since the fuge dont need alot of flow but i will split the return between the fuge and skimmer sections.
5x turn over is around 1200 gph the mag 12 would work.
but buy the time it gets to the heads it might be too small.
so probaly get the mag 18

[deejeff442]

i have the octopus 250 extreme.
it is in my 150 gallon now with a 950 gph pump.
i think it will be too small a pump for the 220.

[Rouselb]

If you are going to slit the flow for the skimmer and fuge, then you can go big. Many of the macros like to have good flow, so maybe go with the bigger return pump to avoid adding a power head in the fuge. Just remember, the more flow you have, the louder it will be.

[deejeff442]

those karalias are nice and quite
my main pump i have now is very quiet but it is so old i dont know what brand it is.
are the mag 18's quiet?

[Rouselb]

Not really, i have used most of the mags, none are what i would call quiet, they do work. I am now using a gen-x 55. This is a pressure rated pump. I like it, nice and quiet. You should look into the Reeflo pumps. They sell like hot cakes, and everyone who uses them loves em.

[deejeff442]

just found the reeflo .
hade some reviews with it ans they seem to love it.
they also said it is dead quiet.
i am building a sump out of 1/2 acrylic so i can just drill a bulk head for the pump.
thanks less to take up in the sump.

[mfinn]

Mags can be pretty loud. If you have room, I'd go with a external pump.
Any plans for a chiller?

[deejeff442]

no plans for a chiller but i will be getting 4 250watt mh for the tank .
they will be enclosed units with fans but wont know if i need a chiller untill they are running.
i like the idea of an external pump

[Rouselb]

You will not need a chiller if you mount the lights at the right height. I have a 200 gal, and i use 4 heaters to keep it warm. I have (3) 250W MH. I just installed the Coralvue LumenBrights. They are sweet.

[deejeff442]

i wouldnt think i would need a chiller.
i have mh bulbs on my 150 and they are only a couple inches from the water and the temp is fine.
the units i am getting are 5 inches off the water.
i have two 400 watt heaters for the 220.
it says you can turn down the reeflow pumps do you do that with a ball valve?