Sump / Pump Changes - Need Suggestions

[ScubaTC]

I'll be replacing my 55gal glass sump with a much larger acrylic sump and want to have the pump(s) external.

Right now I have an in-sump Mag-36 that is feeding my main display (180g), small frag tank (20g), and 3ft 6"dia. skimmer.

Here is where I need some suggestions....

Main Return Pump:
The return line to my main tank goes through a chiller, which has an approximate total 20ft horizontal run to/from the chiller and a 6ft vertical run up to the display tank. 90deg turns also cut down the throughput. There are 2 90deg elbows at the chiller (in/out) and another 4 90deg elbows along the PVC run.

2 Pumps or 1?
Should I get 2 return pumps? One dedicate for feeding the chiller and another for the main return to display / frag tanks (frag tank to be upgraded later from 20g to 75g)? The plan is to have both pumps directing water from sump to tank.

I will not be using the pumps for the skimmer. I received my new skimmer yesterday (will post pics soon)!

As far as pumps go, I have always used Mag-Drives so I am not familiar with any others. Would the Dart (gold?) be sufficient -low wattage/high flow? Should I go for a model with more flow due to the length of PVC runs? Not sure what the difference is for low and high pressure pumps and which type I should get.

The chiller has 1" in and out if that will make a difference with which pump for this guy.

I would like to be able to adjust the flow via a valve without causing harm to the pump.

Ideas???

[mecold]

If you could swing two pumps, I like that idea best. If one pump fails, you will have a backup.

[ScubaTC]

Good idea. So which pumps should I consider?

Not sure if a Dart will handle the long run I described above and still give enough flow. I like high turn-over volume -and my wife likes quiet pumps.

[mecold]

For 20ft of head pressure, how about a reeflo marlin uno pump that does 2050 GPH and handles up to 37' of head pressure. Or you could get the reeflo manta ray or tiger shark that can do 55' or 84' head pressure at 5400 or 5100 gph. But, I have no idea how quiet those pumps are. Plus, the two larger pumps draw a good bit of electricity.

[RealFishy1]

sequence or reeflo pumps . I just ordered the hammer head from marine depot . I will be running my skimmer and main tank with the same pump. I like the idea of having to pumps but have yet to have an external pump fail .

[RealFishy1]

just wondering how big your new sump will be and why do you need a bigger sump? I was going to use a 55 gal aquarium for my 230 gal setup. is 55 gal to small for this. I have heard that a sump should hold 10% of the main tanks water , has anyone heard anything different ?

[ScubaTC]

RealFishy - My new skimmer needs a home and my 55g sump is too small for it. In addition, I think the larger your total water volume supporting the display tank, your system may become more stable, along with good husbandry.

Also, I do my water changes from the sump so additional sump volume will allow me to do various size w/c without exposing too many corals to air in the display for long periods of time. When I need to change more than 30gals for whatever reason I have to start pulling water from the display. I have a few sps, about 7-8 branches total that become exposed to air. Larger w/c expose even more. The SPS tips and xenia is usually in air from 30-45mins without any problems, but still would prefer to keep them under water. It's about time to frag them again anyway so I don't have to worry about power outages and them being exposed for longer than 45mins.

[ScubaTC]

Originally Posted by mecold

For 20ft of head pressure, how about a reeflo marlin uno pump that does 2050 GPH and handles up to 37' of head pressure. Or you could get the reeflo manta ray or tiger shark that can do 55' or 84' head pressure at 5400 or 5100 gph. But, I have no idea how quiet those pumps are. Plus, the two larger pumps draw a good bit of electricity.

I think the horizontal runs should not affect head pressure as much as the vertical runs. I may also get some spaflex and try in place of the 90deg elbows. This should help with not needing too large of a pump.

I read the specs on those pumps and the wattage is closer to the mag-36 I have now. I'll do some research to see how quiet the marlin is.

[Goldstripe]

Hey Trever, you're correct about the horizantal runs (I'm sure you knew that ) I run a Dart for my closed loop and a Dolphin Ampmaster for my return. Head to head, there's no comparison in terms of noise, the Dolphin is much quieter. I know a few members who swear by the Dolphin pumps. I've had great luck with mine since I put the marine seal in it. I have already had to return my first Dart due to seal leaking (not even 1 year). They replaced it but the replacement was extremely noisy (for a Dart) so I had to get yet another replacement which was fine. Customer service was great for both pumps.

[dacro]

Originally Posted by ScubaTC

RealFishy - My new skimmer needs a home and my 55g sump is too small for it. In addition, I think the larger your total water volume supporting the display tank, your system may become more stable, along with good husbandry.

Also, I do my water changes from the sump so additional sump volume will allow me to do various size w/c without exposing too many corals to air in the display for long periods of time. When I need to change more than 30gals for whatever reason I have to start pulling water from the display. I have a few sps, about 7-8 branches total that become exposed to air. Larger w/c expose even more. The SPS tips and xenia is usually in air from 30-45mins without any problems, but still would prefer to keep them under water. It's about time to frag them again anyway so I don't have to worry about power outages and them being exposed for longer than 45mins.

I have to concur... We recently did some major water changes (due to my screw up hahaha) and it was nice to be able to take 50 gallons from the sump area without disrupting the fuge or the display.

[ScubaTC]

Originally Posted by RealFishy1

sequence or reeflo pumps . I just ordered the hammer head from marine depot . I will be running my skimmer and main tank with the same pump. I like the idea of having to pumps but have yet to have an external pump fail .

Wow, the hammerhead puts out up to 5800gph! How long is your vertical length back to the tank?

Let me know how quiet this pump is once you get it running. - Thanks!