sump return pump recommendations

[hayday]

all-

what return pump would you recommend for the soon-to-added sump for my 55 gallon tank? if i've learned anything from my research, i should aim for around 500 gallons per hour, 10x water volume. i plan to use the good ol' rubbermaid container so it'll probably be around a 10 gallon sump.

i'm after name-brand suggestions, not "a return pump rated at 500 gal/hr." type answers, please.

-hayday

[FLHT]

You might want to use a out of water pump (dry)if possible.
They cost a little more, but I think they are less trouble
some. They also will not add heat to you water.
You may want a bigger sump also. If you have a standard
55 gal. tank (that's what I have) with the overflow kit,
that tank will drain up to 5 gal. of water into your sump
if you loose electricity. So If you have about 6-8 gallons of
water in your sump and the electric goes out you could have
a wet "mess" on your hands and floor.
I use a Rio 2500 pump for my return to my sump. I'm not
really that happy with it but that's what I started with so
I'm going to use it for awhile. Hope I helped.
FLHT

[Minnreefer]

We have used mag pumps before and we liked them, maybe a mag 5 would work well for you. I would recomend going to premium and look at the different pumps.

HTH

Jon

[asmith]

Hayday,

I also recommend the Mag Drive pumps. I am using a Mag 9.5 for the return on my 90 gallon tank. How high will you have to pump the water? If it is between 3 and 4 feet then I recommend a mag 7. It will pump 480 GPH at 4 feet of head height.

HTH,
Andrew

[Doug1]

I would definatly go larger than 10 gal, and deep enough that you have plenty of drain drown room
I use a Sen 900, its a work horse but MAn is it Huge, I think 3 of the Mag 9.5 would occupy the same space

[Rick O]

Each Mag pump comes with a specifications sheet that I haven't been able to find on the web. If you have some height for the pump to overcome you may want to consider a larger pump. At a four foot height the Mag 5 produces about 310 gph. The Mag 7 produces about 485 gph. The Mag 12 produces about 1130 gph. I don't have a Mag 9 so maybe someone else can provide that info. I agree with Doug that you should try to find a bigger sump. If you will be putting a skimmer in there you will need more room. Also when you lose power some water will syphon back into the sump. In my situation that's about four gallons.

[mojoreef]

Agreed I would go with a larger rubbermaid to allow for any mishaps with power outages. The mag pumps are the best deal for the money, you can get the at some local hardware stores in the pond section. when shopping remember to take the GPH at the ammount of feet you have to pump the water up (head). the back of the box as Rick said will give you the info

[asmith]

If you go Here you can see a chart with the GPH of all the Mag Drive Pumps at various head heights.

Andrew

[Wrasse Man]

Chris,

Go with a larger sump if possible, and in my mind Mag's are great. I am running a 5 for return and will dedicate my 7 to the skimmer. I wouldn't use anything else, for what it's worth. :santa:

[fishinchick]

I have been shopping around for a return pump for the tank and I found prem. aquatics to have the best price for a
MagDrive 700gph Water Pump
Price: $52.95

I have a 25 gallon sump BTW.
Its going to go on my 60 gal. I hear alotta good about Magdrive. The same pump, by the way, I saw selling at a hardware store for 165 bucks!! EXACT SAME PUMP. Jerks. I feel so robbed now at those places.

Anyway, thats my two cents. You wont find any cheaper prices for a mag drive @ Premium Aquatics. I know, I looked!

My two cents.

[hayday]

thanks, all. i think the mag7 is probably the way to go. i'd like to get a bigger sump, but space is what's holding me back. since the tank is already up and ruunning, i'm in a bit of a pinch as to what i can put back/behind the tank.

thanks again for the tips.

-hayday

[Richard E. P.]

I have a mag 5 for my return on a 75, it was given to me over six years ago used. It has outlived three rio's(junk) and many fish, haha. http://www.aquatictech.com[/url] has the lowest prices, 42.95 for the 5, 47.95 for the 7, if premium has free shipping they will be cheaper, but hell, it's a great pump no matter where you find it.

[Rick O]

Mags are pretty compact. I think you'll be happy with your decision.

[Doug1]

Another thing to keep in mind is that every elbow and bend will decrease flow to some degree, if you have a complex return plumbing setup you may wanna go even lager and install a gate valve to regulate flow.
tag for archive

[mojoreef]

FIshin is that right. I just bought a may 1800 gph from McClennan hardware for $108.00. They were under a brand name of Pond Master.

Listening to all the return sizes blows me away. I have 4 1800's, 3 1200's and a couple of 880 power heads in my tank.

good luck