Return Pump Question

[Alphasig293]

I will be setting up a 230 g tank with a 125 sump (actually about 80 due to drain space). With that being said, I have a question on what size of a return pump should I be looking for? I will also have two Maxspect Gyre XF 230 on each end.

Thanks!

 

[120reefkeeper]

This is one of those questions that you may get different opinions on. IMHO i would go for 10x system volume. So in your case it would be 3,100 gph. That could be 1 pump or 2 at about 1500 gph . You also have to take into consideration headloss due to verticle height , elbows , unions pipe length etc....

Some folks will tell you 3 to 5 times system volume. I like to oversized pumps a bit and the you can adjust them or tune them with a ball valve on the return line to tank.

This also all depends on how much your drains can handle. The larger the pipes the more flow you can go. [emoji4]

Another consideration is the type of piping. Pvc... flexible hose etc...

Hope this was helpful [emoji4]

 

[PedroYoung]

Also, what is the budget? Huge variability for a pump on a tank that size. I am looking at Abyzz A200 DC pump for my 180 with 75 sump. I have about 12' of head to pump against cause the sump is in the basement. They run around $1,800.

 

[GoVols]

This is one of those questions that you may get different opinions on. IMHO i would go for 10x system volume. So in your case it would be 3,100 gph. That could be 1 pump or 2 at about 1500 gph . You also have to take into consideration headloss due to verticle height , elbows , unions pipe length etc....

Some folks will tell you 3 to 5 times system volume. I like to oversized pumps a bit and the you can adjust them or tune them with a ball valve on the return line to tank.

This also all depends on how much your drains can handle. The larger the pipes the more flow you can go. [emoji4]

Another consideration is the type of piping. Pvc... flexible hose etc...

Hope this was helpful [emoji4]

+1
I always use the "10x system volume" as a minimum.

 

[redfishbluefish]

What will determine the maximum return rate is going to be the rating on your overflow.......what's that? Can't exceed that volume.


The general rule is up to 10X volume....but many sumps work just fine at 5 or less.

 

[MaiReef]

Definitely depends on your drain system. Anywhere between 3x-10x, with closer to 10 the better number.

 

[LostInTheDark]

I have a similar sized system and used an Ehiem 5000 for 6 years but just recently switched to a jebao dct 6000. Both are quiet and reliable and give a good solid turnover even with the head loss.

 

[jeffrey holloway]

I was running 15x on my 150g. removed one of the rtn pumps and backed downed to about 8. I use a reef octopus various 6, it allow me to increase or decrease thru my apex. I prefer to let my flow pumps carry the load. the slower flow thru my sump/fuge seems to keep my parameters better.

 

[Alphasig293]

The tank is drilled on the back wall 2-3". I've seen cheap pumps and pumps up to $500. So I can spend either. My head loss will only be a few feet as the sump will sit right beneath the tank.

 

[120reefkeeper]

The tank is drilled on the back wall 2-3". I've seen cheap pumps and pumps up to $500. So I can spend either. My head loss will only be a few feet as the sump will sit right beneath the tank.

I think you've gotten some great input here. So now it's just a choice of product, price and how much flow you really want.

Any particular pumps your considering??

 

[Alphasig293]

I'm looking at Reeflo and the ecotechs

 

[Adamc13o3]

I would go with the ecotechs. Way more energy efficient, a lot quieter and you can throttle them back with the controller and not have to use a valve. When you use the controller you will save power. You still may want some true union ball valves on that part of the plumbing for maintenance purposes.

 

[Alphasig293]

M1 or the L1? Plus, I can put the ecotech in the last chamber of my sump. Yeah, I'll have union valves and a check valve on the return in the event i have a power outage. That's why my 125 will lose about 30-40 g...

 

[Adamc13o3]

L1 for that size tank

 

[Alphasig293]

Sweet! Would it have enough flow to put a T and power an algae scrubber or a reactor? I also need to look for an overflow box to attach

 

[Adamc13o3]

It may. It sure about your plumbing setup.

 

[dstienmann]

I dont think the ecotech is very good with lots of head pressure, thats what I wanted from my build 2 of those but the head pressure looked like it would get killed for a basement sump, But I Did just install 2 Pentair UV sterilizers and am dialing my flow back to 225gph measured on each of the 2 retunrs. Would be nice to get rid of this power hungry Reeflo (Ill have to reevaluate once i have my chiller plumbed in)

 

[Alphasig293]

Head pressure shouldn't be an issue. The sump will be in the stand just below the tank. If ~5' is too much head pressure for ecotech, they have bigger issues.

 

[dstienmann]

I thought I read you had a basement sump

 

[Alphasig293]

The whole system is going in my basement, in a wall. I would love to put the display in my living room, but with floor joists would run parallel with the tank. I'm no engineer, but i'm pretty sure that's not ideal.