Pumps external

[gametrackers]

What would be the ideal GPH for an external pump on my return for a 65 gallon tank with 1 1" drain line?

What would be the ideal GPH for an external pump on a closed loop system?

What brand of pumps are most liked for these same applications?

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

Why are you looking at external on this size tank? How is your sump going to be set up? Frankly...I started external on my 92 and changed back to submersible because I just didn't want to lose sleep while I was out on the road wondering if the seals on my external pump let go (and they did once). Now I sleep really well and the Mag12 was much less in cost than the Little Giant 4MDSC that I was running.

 

[ichthyoid]

Gametrackers;410604 wrote: What would be the ideal GPH for an external pump on my return for a 65 gallon tank with 1 1" drain line?

What would be the ideal GPH for an external pump on a closed loop system?

What brand of pumps are most liked for these same applications?

It depends. Are you going to add power heads, or other pumps internally as well? Someone once told me that a 10x aquarium gallons per hour pumping rate is a good rule of thumb, and in general I agree with this as a minimum for reefs. You will lose some flow due to height (usually about 4-5 feet), as the pumps are rated for max flow/no head (0 height). As for pumps, I have had good luck with Mag's, Eheim's and Little Giant, but prefer the Mag. It can be used both internally and externally. They are not as efficient, so dissipate more heat/watts, but cost less too. A Mag 700 would be a good size I think. If you buy from a sponsor you will save on shipping plus get a 10% ARC discount if you are a member. Below is a link for them at Marine Depot.

 

[gametrackers]

Right now I have a Little Giant(Return) and an Iwaki(Closed loop). I would like to get some need pumps that run a little quieter. Does anyone use Reeflo and do they like them. What are the blue pumps that a lot of people use for closed loops. My reason for getting new pumps is so I can have back and get these 2 rebuilt if it is cost worthy.

 

[grouper therapy]

Imo People try to push more water thru the sump than it can process Why? Besides the skimmer's capability and a little for the refugium what more does one need? So I think you should size the return pump accordingly. Usually pressure rated pumps(blueline. iwaki, turbosea,little giant etc mag drives) make better return pumps since head pressure is often created with the lift to the tank and the plumbing . Closed loop pump sizes are dependent upon several factors such as type of coral ,aquascaping and how you are dispersing the flow in the tank. The high flow direct drive type pumps make good closed loop and are efficient at moving lots of water verses pressure rated magdrives. Reeflo and Dolphin are good choices.

 

[grouper therapy]

It sounds like you are concerned with noise so I would stick to the Japanese Iwaki. There is one other type I have heard of t4 or something like that . It is supposed to be really quite. And then there are the Eheims SILENT!!

 

[ichthyoid]

Dave beat me to it. It is very bad advice to incorporate your return pump as any of your flow in the tank so the amount of PH's in the tank is irrelevant.


How does that work? Immaculate bypass?

I guess what I was alluding to, without stating explicitly, was that most use a combination of flows. Part thru an 'external' device/circuit, which may include sumps, skimmers, closed loop circuits, trickle filters,etc. Part contained within the tank itself. The sum of these is your total system flow. The Mag 7 I mentioned was chosen as it would deliver 420-480 gph at 4-5 feet of head, less any flow loss due to plumbing loss/restriction (realistically, significantly less than 400gph). The current (pun intended) popular combination of flows through a sump, coupled with internal power heads (within the tank) is very common. Flow in the tank does matter IMO and should be dictated by tank size, coral type(s)/placement(s) and PERSONAL PREFERENCE among other considerations. Just my opinion. Others have tried and been successful using different scenarios.

 

[gametrackers]

So what would be considered to little flow? I have my little giant on the return but it returns water to my refugium and skimmer along with the tank. The 8 foot return up to the tank.

As for sound it is not a huge deal because I have my sump on my lower level and my tank on my mid level. I have my computer in my sump room and sometimes cant think or my head sounds like it is throbbing.

 

[ichthyoid]

Gametrackers;413394 wrote: So what would be considered to little flow? I have my little giant on the return but it returns water to my refugium and skimmer along with the tank. The 8 foot return up to the tank.

As for sound it is not a huge deal because I have my sump on my lower level and my tank on my mid level. I have my computer in my sump room and sometimes cant think or my head sounds like it is throbbing.

In Aquatic Systems Engineering: Devices and How They Function</em> by P.R. Escobal, he has an equation which factors in the dilution ratio. What he came up with for sizing skimmer flows is a good model for a sump as well, I think. The algorithm is:

<p style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family: Verdana">T = 9.2 (G/F)</span>
<p style="text-align:left"><span style="font-family: Verdana">Where T=time, G=total gallons of tank water, and F=flow rate (gph). The 9.2 is a purity coefficient that when used in this equation yields a 99.99% purity (or turnover). Interesting how close this falls to the 10x rule of thumb for total tank turn over.</span>

so for example,
assuming a 100 gallon tank with a target of say a minimum of 1 complete turnover of the tank in say a 24 hour period would be determined by-

F = 9.2 (100gal.)/24 hours
so
F = 38 gallons per hour,
(this would yield 1 complete turnover of a 100 gallon tank every 24 hours)

Personally, I would shoot for at least 4-6 times that amount, based on personal preference. Why? The diffusion constants of bacterial processes are not factored in, and because fish don't excrete their waste once per day, more like intermittently all day long:yuk:, etc.

So for a 100 gal tank I would use a minimum sump flow of 150-230 gph.

for more on this...