Quick! Need a recommendation for new pump in my 180 gal.

[Sashaka]

I need to order a new pump today. I have a temporary one that will get me through a few days, but the flow has been terrible since I set up the inline nitrate pellet reactor. What brand and what size should I get? My sump is not drilled, so it has to be a submersible. The chamber for the pump is narrow, so it can't be too big. I can't find my ruler, but I'd say it's about 5" wide.
Here are some specs and pictures of my sump connections:

40 gal glass tank (standard size) with about 5" wide pump chamber
About 5 ft head to top of the tank and another 6' of head horizontally running inside stand above sump not including elbows or Ts
Inline nitrate pellet reactor (newly installed and the cause of my flow issues)
two 45 degree elbows at returns
one 45 degree T elbow on pump
one 45 degree T elbow on pellet reactor to main PVC tank line and a 45 degree connection on both intake and outtake of the pellet reactor itself
I think that's all of them. I do have an unused 45 degree T in case I want to hook up something else later.

Sorry about the messy tank pics. It's tank maintenance day (weekends) but I'm lazy when it comes to cleaning the sump area and I haven't quite figured out how to clean the 2 side chambers as they are so deep and narrow. In addition, the skimmer has it's own pump, but it's been over skimming since treating for spirulina weeks ago and causing a lot of salt creep...even after two water changes of 25% and two at 40%).

Suggestions for pump model and make please! I am horrible at math and figuring out flow and proper pump size. I don't want to rely just on a manufacturer or seller to advise me.
Thank you!

 

[Sashaka]

I just came across the following info as I've been researching: "If you have two 1" drains you are only able to process about 1920gph, if you have two 1.5" drains you could process about 4200gph". I guess that limits me to what is the largest size gph pump I can get, right? It's been a few years since I set this tank up, but I believe it had 1" drains. I'll have me son check under there for me tonight when he gets home to be sure. I have a hard time getting under there myself.

I also came across Mr. Saltwater Tank's recommendation to check into the Water Blaster pumps for cool and quite running. Anyone know anything about these pumps? I was thinking about this one: https://premiumaquatics.com/products/water-blaster-hy7000-pump.html
or should I go with the next highest gph because of the Ts, elbows, and head?
https://premiumaquatics.com/products/water-blaster-hy10000-pump.html although I'm a little worried about the second choice because of the small pump compartment in my sump. I'll need to measure for sure.



Thanks!

 

[Sashaka]

Ok, sorry. I only had a limited time to wait for answers today and needed to get an order out today. I ordered the hy7000 pump. I'll try to give a review on it once it comes in, is setup, and is going. In the meantime, this is the review I used to help me decide if anyone is interested: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1822299

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

Sorry for the late reply options would be the Core 20 pump or the new Aqua Medic pumps both are small for the amount of water they move.

 

[Sashaka]

Sorry for the late reply options would be the Core 20 pump or the new Aqua Medic pumps both are small for the amount of water they move.

Thanks for the response. I'll look into them for backups or to replace the one I just ordered for sure! Thank you!

 

[Sashaka]

I ordered the hy7000 pump

I need some advice. I've installed the new pump and it pumps great! However, it works soooo well that it drains my sump. I over estimated the size pump I needed. I had to dial the flow down by about 3/4. I know this is really hard on a pump. The water exiting the tank just cannot keep up with the pump, so I had no choice. What should I do? I've thought of three possible answers and really need help making a decision. Which idea would work best to fix the problem or increase the flow of water exiting the tank but still have enough pump left to hook up another reactor in the future if I want one?

A: Send the pump back and order the next size smaller.
B: Get a larger tee and hose for the sock that connects the two gravity fed down flow hoses from the tank (The plumbing in the two tower overflows cannot be increased in size, nor can the bulkheads, so would changing out the tee really help that much?)
C: Lose the tee altogether and have two separate hoses going into the sock

As I mentioned earlier, I'm really bad at figuring out correct plumbing. I could use some expert advice. Pretty pleeeeease!

 

[JoshH]

Deleted

 

[Sashaka]

Can you elaborate on this? You have two separate corner overflows that you've tied together with a T? If this is the case than separating the two and not joining them together with a T will double the flow coming down to the sump....

Yes, if you look at the picture I posted earlier of my sump area, there is a tee connecting the two black drain hoses from the two side overflows into my sock. The white pvc hooks to the two returns. Is this what you would recommend over returning the pump then? I've never seen two hoses in a sock before, so I was worried that I'd end up draining too fast. Is it common to plumb this way?
Thanks for your quick response! Your help is greatly appreciated!

 

[Sashaka]

Can you elaborate on this? You have two separate corner overflows that you've tied together with a T? If this is the case than separating the two and not joining them together with a T will double the flow coming down to the sump if you want to run dual full siphons that is...

@JoshH, The dual full siphons are going strong and have corrected the issue. It's not pretty and it's more crowded in my sump, but it's working well. Thank you!

 

[JoshH]

Deleted

 

[Sashaka]

Hey I'm glad they are working for you! You could add the T With a 2 inch outlet and it will have almost the same effect. It will be slightly more restrictive though than two separate outlets

My son suggested a larger tee as well. For now, the dual outlets are working well to keep the high flow I want for my tangs and I don't need to dial my pump down. Maybe this summer when I have a bit more time to mess with the setup I will try adding a larger T and see how that works out. Aesthetically, it would be better and a single outlet would free up some room in the sock too. Thanks again for your help. ;Happy

 

[PYRU]

Well you don't want a ton of flow through your sump. You want to throttle it with a valve on the discharge unless you have a dc with controller.

I have essentially the same tank (210). What I did was turn all my predrilled holes into drains. 2 primaries and 2 emergencies. Run the return over the back.

I tie my drains together as well3 but I up the size before doing so. I wouldn't tie my only 2 drains together. If you have a clog then you're done. Ideally you want a giant bean animal or at least 4 drains on a tank this size.

Hope I understood you correctly

 

[Sashaka]

Well you don't want a ton of flow through your sump. You want to throttle it with a valve on the discharge unless you have a dc with controller.

I have essentially the same tank (210). What I did was turn all my predrilled holes into drains. 2 primaries and 2 emergencies. Run the return over the back.

I tie my drains together as well3 but I up the size before doing so. I wouldn't tie my only 2 drains together. If you have a clog then you're done. Ideally you want a giant bean animal or at least 4 drains on a tank this size.

Hope I understood you correctly

This is a great idea! I didn't think of using all the predrilled holes for drains. I do like the Shadow Synergy Overflow. Maybe I'll go in that direction once summer comes and I have more time to play with better plumbing. Thank you for the suggestion!