Pump size??

[jennmac415]

How do you determine the size pump that you need for your return?? Say, in an 80 gallon tank with a coast to coast overflow, with drain and return in the same overflow box, going into a 20 gallon sump and back. Also, besides the mag pumps which other brands do you think are good and NOT extremely expensive. I guess I am talking about the submersible kind too.

Thanks,
Jenni

[Illusion]

Well It all depends on the Overflow and how its drilled... My guess is 1x 1" bulkhead and your should be good for about 1000gph... Or so.. Usually get a pump a bit bigger as you will loose some for head height and call it good... As for other pumps I like GenX pumps... Stay away from Rio at all costs LOL... Mag and GenX is all that I would recommend..

HTH<
James

[Krux]

i have a genx gx 6000 that will be free whenever i get off my butt and plumb in my new skimmer pump. it is rated at just over 1500 gph, which would work nicely for you. i will warn you though that all submersible pumps will add a bit of heat to your system, mags, genx, and everything else, which is why i am swapping out for an external skimmer pump. if the 2 to 3 degrees that this pump will add, i would be happy to sell it to you. bought it for 60 6 months ago, would sell it for 40 if you want it.


earliest i could have it off of the tank is going to be monday.

other than that, i would look for a mag 12. with the head pressure on a return pump, a 9.5 will be too small. you might even opt for an 18, but it depends on the size of your drain.

if heat is an issue at your home in the summer, stop now and redisgn for an external though, cause as i said, all submersibles will add heat.