Return Pumps

[Wiskey]

This is going to sound stupid, but you know what I'd do? Same thing I did on my 50, just use a Maxi-jet 1200. I think somewhere around 300 GPH is about perfect.

Whiskey

[Sara7814]

why stupid??

[tashier]

Originally Posted by Fly Guy

I agree with Tashier on the matching the return to your skimmer processing capacity.

As far as total tank turnover...it think 15-20x really should be the low end of the scale. It will generally helo with eventually getting all of your water from the tank down to the skimmer eventually along with just getting better flow through your corals.

Ya, I meant to say AT LEAST 10x.

[Wiskey]

Originally Posted by Sara7814

why stupid??

Because most people don't think of a maxijet as a return pump, but for such a small tank I think it will work very well.

Whiskey

[tashier]

Originally Posted by Wiskey

Because most people don't think of a maxijet as a return pump, but for such a small tank I think it will work very well.

Whiskey

Hmm, good idea, but I couldn't find a graph for the head on one. Looks like she may have ~4' of head. Will the MJ1200 be enough?

[Wiskey]

That's about the head I have on my 50G and the MJ1200 does well. I measuerd the flow a while back and got just over 200GPH at the tank. that puts her at 5.5+ turnover through the sump, most small skimmers don't pull more than 200GPH so I say it's good.

Even my turbofloater rated for a 250G tank, only has a 200GPH feed pump on it.

Whiskey

[Sara7814]

this is what i got back from an email... what do you guys think?



Hi Sara,

We always recommend using two return pumps so you have back-up if one
pump
should fail. If you are going to use two I would recommend one Rio 6HF
and
one Rio 8HF. If you want to use only one pump I would recommend a Rio
10
HF. Here is the link to the pumps:


http://www.vividaquariums.com/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=04-2960-1

Thanks,

Dave Burr
Vviid Aquariums


> i have a 36 gal bow front that came with the standard stand
> i am going to do a sump and need a return pump. i am not sure what to
get
> or how to figure it out.
> what do you recommend and how much is it. do you guys sell them?

[Wiskey]

I would never put a rio pump in my tank, too many stories of them spilling oil, shocking people, and burning up. There is a thread at least 50 pages long about it on RC, full of people who lost nothing to everything from a rio burning up.

Whiskey

[Wiskey]

Also, with a 10G sump, and 500 GPH running through it I think you are begging for microbubble problems, and I think 500GPH after head is way overkill for a 36G tank.

Whiskey

[Fly Guy]

Originally Posted by Wiskey

I would never put a rio pump in my tank, too many stories of them spilling oil, shocking people, and burning up. There is a thread at least 50 pages long about it on RC, full of people who lost nothing to everything from a rio burning up.

Whiskey

that very well be the reason WHY the guy suggested two return pumps to Sara..........a poor contingency plan for one of those rios he suggested burning up

[Tim224DT]

I use a rio to make the water for my WC's and it is about to die. I have to bang it a few times to get it to work so i can mix the water.


Tim

[Wiskey]

Oh, one more thing

He is right about a backup, Maxijets are $18 each, buy two and you have your backup

Whiskey

[afbengochea]

same here, id avoid a rio and go with something else

[Wiskey]

Originally Posted by Fly Guy

that very well be the reason WHY the guy suggested two return pumps to Sara..........a poor contingency plan for one of those rios he suggested burning up

your probably right, but from what I've read, your backup will be returning water to a dead tank with oil on the surface of the water, then you reach in to fix it and it electrocutes you just to add injury to insult. Not a good day

Whiskey

[Sara7814]

where can i get a maxijet??