What pump for my new 120?

[weaglereefer]

Alright, time to start thinking about equipment for this thing, since I wanna add a few items, and have to deal with dual overflows.

I want to have enough pumping power to handle the following requirements: chiller (causes appx 6ft of head is what I calculated), skimmer will need 180-240gph, gfo and carbon will need their take as well, figure 150gph between them. Stand will be approximately 40", so it's looking like just over 5ft of pumping height is required. Plumbing will be 3/4" vinyl tube to the manifold of T's which will be 1" PVC, and reduce back to 3/4" vinyl. Any/all plumbing through the chiller is 3/4" vinyl as well.

Currently I do not believe an external pump will fit my needs as I'm planning to use a 40b for my sump (36x18 footprint), and rob the extra space for a separated electronics compartment (doesn't share hot humid air with the sump's side of the cabinet, it will get it's own fans and vents).

I am not opposed to running two pumps, but it would be 2 return pumps max, even if they're different rates (was thinking maybe 2 Eheim pumps?). One would run from the pump through the chiller and return to the tank, the other would handle all the needs of the manifold and then return to the tank. Any issue with that?

Looking to have the turnover between 450gph and 650gph, so any combination of 2 pumps in that range would fit the bill. If one pump, it would need to be able to pump appx 850gph (low estimate) to 1050gph at (higher estimate) with 11ft of head pressure if my numbers are accurate. If two pumps, one needs to do appx 400gph at 11' (chiller side) and the other needs to do 450-650gph at 5' (manifold side).


Thanks!

 

[weaglereefer]

So anyone have any suggestions? I'll be picking up my sump soon and want to get planning this thing.

Sump will have the drain/skimmer feed on the left side, return in the center, fuge on the right side. Drains will empty into two "bubble towers", and will have T's to allow the drain to be rerouted to a filter sock if I want to polish water. Skimmer I'm looking at is internal, so the skimmer feed can be removed from the list of things fed by the manifold, and I guess that drops 200gph off my needs.

At this point I'm not opposed to external pumps, but would like to run one if I go that route. Feed will be 1" vinyl to the PVC manifold, constructed of 1" T's, then down to 3/4" vinyl to return to the tank.

Bulkhead out the center of the back of the tank, with the pump mounted behind the sump (how often do external pumps need servicing?) so I'd need to drill that hole. Then I want to mount two float switches directly to the back glass, no brackets or wires showing, just nice and clean. How small do glass drill bits come?

So, looking for an external pump in the 850ish gph range at 11' of head, any ideas?

 

[rbredding]

Why don't you think an external pump will fit your needs? external pumps are SOOOO quiet compared to internal pumps (and don't add heat to the water column directly).

I've heard really good things about the Velocity series of Blueline pumps (marine design has had them in a couple of their "drygoods" display tanks and they are nearly silent)


if you set the pump 90* to the end of the tank, it will take up only 5"-6" or so.. (I've got a 90 plumbed in between my sump and the return pump and it doesn't create any problems - just increase the size of the pvc feeding the pump)

I've got my electronics on one side of the cabinet (opposite the sump) and because the back of my cabinet is open, I havent had a problem with any of the electronics (no spray, no film, no effect on the inside of the boxes... yet)

I'd run 1.5" tubing to the manifold (internal diameter of 1" tubing is 3/4" and will decrease water volume when you upsize to the 1" tee manifold)

 

[rbredding]

That being said, I have a http://www.bluelineaquatics.com/products/water_pump/hd.html">BL 40HD-X</a> that I'm not using since the upgrade to the Reeflo Snapper


it won't do 850 @ 11' though..

 

[drnecropolis]

I was running a Mag 12 with a SWCD and it was great!

 

[markl]

Mine has a mag 12 untill my barracuda gets here and I can plumb it in downstairs in the sump room.

 

[gmpolan]

I run an external blue line on the 150 and it is amazing as well as quiet....

 

[jbadd99]

After doing all my research I chose an Eheim pump as they seem to be reliable and don't add as much heat when used internally as a Mag pump.

I ended up with the 1262 for mine. I downloaded a head loss calculator that I'll provide you the link to when I'm close to the 'puter. It worked out perfect after I added the 1262 specs to it.

 

[weaglereefer]

Yeah, I used a head loss calculator and it said I'd need a Mag 24 to be in my target area with 1" pipe, and a Mag 18 would do it with 1.25" pipe.

I stated that I'm not opposed to an external at this point. I am trying to fit EVERYTHING (except the chiller) inside the stand on this build, from the electronics which will have their own sectioned off part of the cabinet, to the top off container, to the skimmer (internal), CA reactor, CO2 tank, and kalk reactor. Space is at a premium with this build. I've got a few tricks up my sleeve to utilize some space

I'm looking at an Aqua Euro EU55. 1141gph max, 1046gph at 4', with a max head of 26', so it may fit the bill, waiting on a response from the manufacturer.

 

[drnecropolis]

I had an 18 on my 180, and it was throttled back at least 50%..

I running the same 12 on the new tank..

 

[weaglereefer]

Yeah, Doc, but if it's a single pump it will be running the manifold to feed reactors and have to run through the chiller. If I weren't running through the chiller I'd probably just keep my Mag 9 and upgrade to larger pipe.

 

[drnecropolis]

Very true...

Chillers react the same as an extra 6' of head...( give or take


I so spaced on the additional items being fed.. My bad Jeff

 

[weaglereefer]

Yup, 6' is what I calculated with a stopwatch and a 5g bucket after 5 trials. No longer going to have to feed the skimmer, but will feed carbon and gfo reactors and now a fuge (which I guess replaces the skimmer in the original design, but could be fed independently with a Mag 2 if needed).

 

[rbredding]

setup an external pump for the return/manifold and use a smaller, internal pump for the skimmer (maybe you can run UV off it also since it could just loop from/to your sump)

that way you can "manage" your pump energy output.. (only run the chiller and UV pump during the day - unless the temp jumps over X*)

 

[weaglereefer]

Alright, well anyone keeping track or interested, the Aqua Euro 55 will pump 52 l/min at 3m with 1" pipe. That comes out to around 825gph so I think we have a winner!