Need some ideas for new return pump

[blakedeffenbaugh]

I hope this is the right place for this, if not please let me know and I'll put it somewhere else. I have a 65gal mixed reef (with rocks it's about 55-60 total gallons with sump) and I'm needing a bigger return pump. I'm in the process of redoing it and it will have mostly sps in it but still a few lps pieces. So my question is what pump should I go with, a mag drive 7 or 9.5? Right now I have a MP40 in it and a cheaper smaller power head to help stop dead spots. Any help would be awesome.

 

[Mufasa31]

I think a 9.5 will be too much.

They recommended a 9.5 for my 90 but I had a unused 7 laying around. I used the 7 with no problems.

If you have a refugium in your sump, you do not want an extremely high flow rate through the sump. If you restrict the flow a bit, you are wasting watts.

 

[YodaHart]

Ditch the mag pump and get a Jebao DC return pump. They are awesome and can be dialed to exactly what you need. As the pump ages or you add reactors you can ramp it up.

 

[blakedeffenbaugh]

I don't have a refuge just straight sump so no worries there. I know my pump is undersized and I think it has to do with a lot of my algae problems, that's why I'm not sure which I should do be aide I don't want to over power it but I don't want to under do it either lol.

 

[blakedeffenbaugh]

Where can you buy the jebos at? I've heard about their pumps but never seen one and I don't know much about them.

 

[gtbarsi]

They are on amazon, ebay, and reef radiance usually has a sale going on.
Reef Radiance posted this link on 1/7 http://reefradiance.com/holiday-blowout-sale.html, I am not sure if it is still going on but they have the DC3000 return pump there for a good price.

 

[kschweer]

I recently installed a jeabo dc6000 on my tank and really like it so far. Incredibly quiet, runs cool and moves a lot of water. The adjustments are very convenient and I really like the soft start and the feed option. I have been running it a little over a month and a half.

 

[dcmartinpc]

I would also look at the RLSS Waveline series. The newer design is much better than the Jebao, Diablo, Etc. IMHO... I run a DC12000 on my closed loop and love it!

Don

 

[3Twinklets]

Since pump do lose power over time, I would go with the bigger pump. You can always install a gate valve if the pump is not adjustable.I have recently ordered a DC6000 myself after much thought. We shall see how well it performs .I have over 8' of lift.

 

[bitumenman]

A piece of advice when installing a return pump. Install a back flow preventer (check valve), this will aid you in the chance you have a power outage and your display flows back into your sump making a huge mess because you didn't think to close the valve. Very big mess.

 

[blakedeffenbaugh]

Thanks a lot guys I really like the sounds of the wavelines. So then that brings up would the dc4000 be the right one? Or would I need the 6000?

 

[JMSKI333]

A piece of advice when installing a return pump. Install a back flow preventer (check valve), this will aid you in the chance you have a power outage and your display flows back into your sump making a huge mess because you didn't think to close the valve. Very big mess.

Or you can leave room in your sump for a backflow. I like to put my return nozzle near the surface of the water so the siphon breaks fast.

I reccomend an Ehiem return pump. I have a 1262 on my 90 and it is bullet proof. Zero issues.

I am moving my sump to my basement though and I am looking at the Reef Octo Diablo DC pumps to give me the head pressure I need. Check them out.

 

[kschweer]

I would say the 4000 should be a good fit for you depending on how much head pressure you are working with. As far as check valves go, they are great in theory, but can and more than likely will fail at some point. The only sure fire way to keep your sump from overflowing in the event of power outage is to keep your return just under the surface of the water. You can then calculate how much water will come back before air is sucked into the return stopping the siphon and designing your sump to be able to handle that amount of water when the pump is shut down.

 

[blakedeffenbaugh]

My power has went out three times in the past month with no messes, I always keep my return around the top of the water for this exact reason. The pump will have about 4 foot of travel from pump to the back of the tank so not much.

I'll have check into ehiem as well, those are the only canister filters I use and love there product.