return pump question

Cosine · 04-28-2005, 01:07 PM

Hey all
Here is the deal
I am purchasing an AGA 120g with the dual mega-flows. My skimmer can process 375g/hr
So anyways I am looking for a return pump to return about 375g/hr

Now my question lies here I'm going to have to split my return to go to both returns in the mega-flows.
What methods do I have to chose from and what pressure will I lose for each option?

Also the pump will have about 5ft of head to work with

Cosine · 04-28-2005, 01:53 PM

oh yeah I'm thinking about just going with a MAG 7
can find them used pretty easily and they aren't expensive new either
I'm just not sure if a T would kill the flow or is there another way to go

TroyF · 04-28-2005, 06:32 PM

That sure won't be much flow when you consider each overflow can probably handle ~700gph. As far as splitting the return line, if you can find a Y go that way. I'm not really sure I completely get the skimmer and return thing, are you trying to match the return to the amount your skimmer can process?

Cosine · 04-29-2005, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TroyF

I'm not really sure I completely get the skimmer and return thing, are you trying to match the return to the amount your skimmer can process?

yeah that's the plan
I figure that way the skimmer gets at as much water as it can plus low flow through the sump should mean no bubbles

I'm adding a closed loop for flow so I'm not worried about pumping water really fast through the sump for turnover

TroyF · 04-29-2005, 11:40 AM

You'd be better going a little higher than the Mag 7, it won't handle the skimmer plus all the head pressure you're wanting. What type of skimmer only handles 350gal/hr?

Cosine · 04-29-2005, 11:44 AM

Euro-Reef RS6-3

I emailed them and they said the pump is rated for 500g/hr but with the impeller they end up running at 375g/hr

It was lower than I expected but should be right.

The only other thing is that if I get a bigger pump for the skimmer down the road I wouldn't want to buy a new return pump. But I dunno if I'd ever want a bigger pump for the skimmer

TroyF · 04-29-2005, 06:31 PM

JMO, but I think 6.25 gpm is a mere trickle of water coming down your overflows. On the positive side it should be quiet.

Subject at hand; I don't think a mag 7 is the right choice as a return pump. I used one on a skimmer and had to clean it constantly, I also don't see it handling very much head pressure. I'd look for one of the smaller Iwaki's or similar in line pump.

Cosine · 04-30-2005, 12:26 PM

Thanks for the input Troy
I have about 3-4weeks before my tank gets in to decide anyways

tims · 04-30-2005, 10:31 PM

i thought you decided not to get the 120?

the over flows are rated for 600 gph each.
you really should have a separate pump for the return and the skimmer.

VWD · 04-30-2005, 10:40 PM

I agree that You need separate pump for the return and the skimmer, and a Mag 7 could never do it.

Vince

Cosine · 04-30-2005, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tims

i thought you decided not to get the 120?

the over flows are rated for 600 gph each.
you really should have a separate pump for the return and the skimmer.

Hey Tim
I was trying to get a custom tank but couldn't afford it. So after some thought I went back to my original idea.

Now I do plan on going with two seperate pumps for my skimmer and my return.
I'm just trying to match the flow going through my sump to the flow my skimmer can process...

I have the pump that came with my skimmer and am now looking for a return pump. I think I may go with a poseidon (velocity) just not sure which yet...

That make sense??????

tims · 04-30-2005, 11:01 PM

Yup make sense to me... ( scary huh!?)
what size sump are you going to run?. you can do a pump like hte gen x 40 or 50 for the skimmer. It will feed back to the sump right? or will you have it go to the tank?

Cosine · 04-30-2005, 11:13 PM

the sump is gonna be a rubbermaid 50g. So about 30g of water I guess.
I have the skimmer pump, it's whatever Euro-Reef pumps are it's called SP3 on their website. The pump goes in the sump next to the skimmer.
so the pump puts water in the skimmer then yeah it will release back into the sump then the return pump will push it back up.

Skipponator · 05-01-2005, 12:10 AM

Kinda similar topic, I'm moving into a 125 in the next week or so, and it's got the dual mega-flows, and I am going to be using my Quiet One 3000 until I find something else, it's rated at 780gph, but after it's Y-ed and the headlost of about 4 feet, what kind of GPH do you think it will be pumping back into the tank?

Thanks,
-Skip