Overflow and return pump question

[mikee002]

I'm considering drilling my 65 gallon tank for overflow and returns from glass holes.com. 2 questions...

Can I get away with 1 return, or would 2 be better. I'd prefer to only have 1, less holes to drill and possible less to go wrong, weakened glass, etc?

Second question... If I go with the 700gph overflow, would the 700gph mag-drive pump be okay to use with it, or is it possible that it'd outflow the overflow? I'd assume that it would probably deliver less to the return than the full 700gph because of friction loss and elevation loss, etc.?

Last question... Is the mag-drive a good pump, or are there better options, keeping budget friendliness in mind.

 

[mcarroll]

Consider not drilling the tank at all and using an in tank system like Tunze's Reefpack 500. (The 250 model is probably undersized, depending what you have planned.)

If you drill, keep in mind that you don't need much flow.....between 120 GPH and 300 GPH of actual flow would be plenty.

So multiple overflows might be called for, but would probably be "extra". Flow wise, one will be more than adequate.

The Mag series of pumps are tough as nails, though the Model 7 may be a bit much – most likely a Mag 5 (delivering 325GPH at 5') or even Mag 3 would do it.

I wouldn't hesitate to use a Mag, Quiet One (even the newer Chinese ones), Sicce, Eheim...

 

[mcarroll]

(Overkill on your return pump doesn't buy you anything but bigger power bills, so sizing it correctly is worth some effort!)

 

[mikee002]

Consider not drilling the tank at all and using an in tank system like Tunze's Reefpack 500. (The 250 model is probably undersized, depending what you have planned.)

Thanks for the advice. Ideally it'd be awesome to not have to drill. Quick searching around and I'm not finding a ton of info and reviews about the reefpack.

And yea... The 250 looks right at the upper limits of my 65 gallon. I'm not planning on a heavily stocked tank... But everyone probably says that when starting.

 

[mcarroll]

Unless you were expressly setting out to have a lightly stocked tank, I'd go with the bigger one.

 

[beaslbob]

just a comment on the 250gph/700gph.

Those are with the water being pumped back at the same height. If your pump against a 4' height the 700gph pump only returns something like 250-300gpm working against that height.

my .02

 

[mikee002]

Anyone have experience with the jebao dct series DC pumps. The flow is definitely overkill, but they're adjustable which seems like it'd be good for tuning. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SQX5CEW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_gbfsyb4EK8WKC