Pump and Return Questions

[Nck8485]

So I'm slowly gathering all the stuff I need to set up my first saltwater tank but I have a question when it comes to the return.

First, I need recommendations on a return pump. It'll be in my bedroom so quiet would be nice. I need it to be around 1200-1500 GPH, and it'll be travelling about 4-5' up to return to the tank. Not sure on if I'm hard plumbing or going for flexible hosing yet. One that was recommended to me was Lifeguard Aquatics Quiet One 5000 but after looking up reviews it seems pretty mixed on if they are good or not.

Second, I'm not exactly sure how to plumb the return to my tank. I will be drilling holes for the overflow and I can purchase a return kit to where I drill another hole for the return, but would it be easier to just let it curve over the lip of the tank rather than having to drill all these holes? It's my first time ever drilling glass so I'm a little nervous about it as it is.

If you can show pictures of your return and if you drilled or if yours goes over the back of your tank I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.

 

[Reefing Madness]

What is the GPH you want after head loss??
Quiet One 6000 will have what you are looking for at 5' of head loss, not the 5000, that one will only have 1041gph after head loss
http://www.lifegardaquatics.com/products/

 

[twilliard]

DC pump for sound quality

 

[twilliard]

Here is my return

 

[Reefing Madness]

You got a hole drilled in the side of that return line somewhere so that it doesn't siphon all your tank water back into the sump when the power goes out?

 

[twilliard]

Yes the top hole is the starting point of breaking it. The other holes are there to make sure the siphon is broke completely so no more water drains.
I have a big reserve on my sump to take all the water it passes

 

[kschweer]

What size tank are you setting up. Normally a turnover rate of about 5-10 times tank volume is recommended. The majority of the flow in the tank should come from power heads. I would also recommend a dc pump. They are very quiet.

 

[Reefing Madness]

 

[Nck8485]

What's a DC pump?

Tank is going to be 120 gallons with a 40 gallon sump.

I bought the 3000 kit from glassholes, http://www.glass-holes.com/3000-Overflow-Box-Complete-Kit-gh3000kit.htm which says it runs best between 1000-2000 gph so I'm assuming I want a return pump that matches that. So I could aim for just 1000 gph for the overflow and return and then make up the rest of the flow in the display tank with powerheads.

 

[Reefing Madness]

http://www.fish-street.com/jebao_dct_water_return_pump