Is a mag pump a good insump pump

[vin]

I have a rio 3100 for my return on my 120 and want to change it I was thinking of a mag 12 for my return is this to strong or not strong what so you think or should I go with somthing else.What do you think.

[bllfish]

mags are definitely better than the rio. If your system can handle the flow go for it. You can always add a valve after the mag and throttle it down if it is too much.

[Spuds725]

It really depends on the return flow you want to go with-- I like low sump/tank exchange for the power, noise, heat (sometimes) and micro bubble issues-- a good discussion on low flow vs high...

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=550482

Besides less in tank powerheads for flow, the only other advantange I see in high flow is its ability to turnover the water fast enought to trap detritus in a settling chamber or filter sock in the sump before it resettles in the tank when you blow it out....

I personally run about a 255-300 gph (Mag 5) for my sump return on my 135 gallon tank-- about half my flow goes directly to my skimmer, the rest to my fuge--- I run a couple of Seio m1500s in tank for circulation

There are pros and cons for both... its a personal preference IMO...

you need to realize what you lose and gain with either and possilbly alter your system design accordingly (for example my fuge is 29 gallons and I found the circulation too low for my chaeto-- so added a 400 gph powerhead in the fuge to provide a slight current over my chaeto which IMO has helped its growth)...

[twon8]

mag's are decent pumps, but a 12 is too big for a return on a 120 imo. i would go with a eheim 1260, or maybe ocean runner 2500 or 3500. much quieter and less energy used.

[Sk8r]

I use a mag 9.5 in my 52g.

[mikedege]

I agree with spuds and twon. If it were my tank, i would shoot for around 600-700 gph thru my fuge. For example, in one of my tanks(my 62g) I am running 1300gph thru my sump, and it is wayyyy to much flow, it creates too many microbubbles, and splashing(i dont like running filter bags) So, I have a gate valve, and I crank it down almost 50%. kind of a waste of flow, and power! in my new tank I am setting up now, i have the oceanrunner 2500. I really wanted the eheim 1260, but i figured I'd give the oceanrunner a try.

good luck, Mike

[vin]

Thanks guys but I just odered the mag 12 like 2 hours ago with out checking back here.I'll see what happens when I get it, if its to much i'll cut back on the flow.

[sjm817]

Most people have the flow cut way back on their Mags, but dont realize it. They are typically plumbed with 3/4" plumbing since that is the outlet size and what a RR tank uses for a fitting. 3/4" cuts the flow dramatically. You need 1.5" or greater for full flow.