Return pump

Madmax275 · Jan 31, 2019

I will be starting up a standard 220 gallon mixed reef once and I am just curious of what size pump I need for the tank? I have 2 overflows and I want an internal pump. this is the one i am looking at but did not know if it was big enough.

Jebao DCQ Series (3500-10000) Adjustable Wave Pumps w/Controller

https://www.amazon.com/Jebao-3500-1...8914465&sr=8-1&keywords=jebao+DCQ+series&th=1

Sarah24! · Jan 31, 2019

Hello,

I have a 240 gallon tank and honestly that would not be enough at all. It depends if you will fish only or mixed reef but I run two return pumps from current usa models 3100 and they are 3,100 gph. I run them now because my tank has grown at 65%. I have one per over flow and I am not sure that one little one would or could run both over flows even at full power. It would not be good on it, and you may have to replace it sooner.

Madmax275 · Jan 31, 2019

ok thanks i would like to just run one pump

mtraylor · Jan 31, 2019

I agree thats a bit too small. Do you want to run anything from a manifold as well other than returns?

I run my 255gallon mixed reef with 100gallon sump with a manifold to run my reactors with a vectra l1 externally

Madmax275 · Jan 31, 2019

What kind of return pump would you guys recommend then. I want to take to keep it to one return

RobZilla04 · Jan 31, 2019

Installed the DCP-10000 on a friends 125 dual over flow and that sucker moves water! We left it set at 45%, split the return with a "T" and then one 90 elbow on the far end to turn up to the bulkhead. Haven't done any head pressure or flow rate calculations, but the turnover is far greater than the skimmer is rated for.

At the end of the day, turning over more water through the sump than the skimmer can handle is just overkill IMO. Admittedly when I started the hobby a few years ago I thought more turnover has gotta be better. As my knowledge and experience has expanded, I learned there is no need for all that.

https://www.amazon.com/Jebao-Sine-Water-Return-DCP-5000/dp/B01MTVJ0T6/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1548936080&sr=8-3-fkmr0&keywords=jebao+dcp12000&th=1

TexasTodd · Jan 31, 2019

Always better with two pumps if you have room. Keep flow if one fails and also while cleaning one at a time.

mtraylor · Jan 31, 2019

Is it just for return only or are you lookjng to run reactors? One dc return pump in range of 3000gph will service returns and manifold. So in that range will work well. If just for return at the moment you can always reduce power which is nice. It would be a great pump to strart with that will give u room to grow.

Pntbll687 · Jan 31, 2019

What type of drain is in the overflow?

If they are durso style, which come in many pre drilled tanks, they are usually rated to handle about 700gph.

Madmax275 · Jan 31, 2019

mtraylor said:
Is it just for return only or are you lookjng to run reactors? One dc return pump in range of 3000gph will service returns and manifold. So in that range will work well. If just for return at the moment you can always reduce power which is nice. It would be a great pump to strart with that will give u room to grow.

Yes just for the return to the tank. I am not going to run reactors

Jonreefer · Jan 31, 2019

whats your overflow rated for. No need to go silly amounts of flow if its just a return. I usually only run around a 3-5x turnover so anything in the 700-1000 would be perfectly fine for just turn over and getting it down through the sump for heating and any fuge running or skimmer

mtraylor · Jan 31, 2019

Madmax275 said:
Yes just for the return to the tank. I am not going to run reactors

Ok. Then you would want to find a pump rated around 1700-2000gph range

Thingsibuild · Jan 31, 2019

Go with two smaller pumps. Then when one pump breaks while your not home your tank doesn't crash. One coral/fish cost as much as one pump.

jda · Jan 31, 2019

If you are going to run Jeabo stuff, then two is a good idea since they can break down at any time. If you want to just run one pump, then a Fluval or Laguna at the correct GPH are good and will last a decade or more.

RobZilla04 · Jan 31, 2019

Thingsibuild said:
Go with two smaller pumps. Then when one pump breaks while your not home your tank doesn't crash. One coral/fish cost as much as one pump.

jda said:
If you are going to run Jeabo stuff, then two is a good idea since they can break down at any time. If you want to just run one pump, then a Fluval or Laguna at the correct GPH are good and will last a decade or more.

Three years going strong with a Jebao. With Amazon prime I can have another in two days. Most systems can go much longer than that with no circulation through the sump filtration. Just my .02

If ya got the money for a brand name, by all means get one. When my Jebao dies ill consider one. But for $100 I was good if it only lasted a year or two.

galantra · Jan 31, 2019

Many good points on here but like the others say more would be better. In my opinion I stay 5-7x turn over rate And each fitting you add add 1 ft of head pressure so knowing that is important too.

Going with two or one pump is your opinion. I understood the logic of having two pumps but always come down to how you want it.

Thingsibuild · Jan 31, 2019

I don't care what you run for a pump. If it stops working and you are not around it will crash your tank. I had it happen. My heater was in sump, tank got cold slowly lost it all.

galantra · Jan 31, 2019

Thingsibuild said:
I don't care what you run for a pump. If it stops working and you are not around it will crash your tank. I had it happen. My heater was in sump, tank got cold slowly lost it all.

I don’t think you can say “it will crash your tank” about the return pump it’s all about how your tank is setup I always kept heaters in the sump and always kept one in the corner overflow. But that’s me not everyone has everything only in there sump

jda · Jan 31, 2019

There is a lot of "pennywise, pound foolish" thinking on this thread. How much do people think that decent pumps cost? A Laguna 2000 is $179 on eBay... one failure from a $100 jeabo and you are more than this.