Hi i am new to Saltwater and got a 220 gallon tank i got a Skimz Sl200 Leopard Internal Protein Skimmer what size return pump do i need. My tank is not drilled so it will go from an overflow down to the sump and then come back up that way.
What size return pump do i need
- Thread starter Summer Mowry
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CC13
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1) What kind of corals are you planning to keep?
2) Do you want your pump to be internal or external?
3) Do you want your pump to be AC or DC?
4) Do you need the return pump to be silent or is some noise allowed/tolerable?
Post a couple pictures of your tank and the sump area so we can see what space your working with
Summer Mowry
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This is the best photo I have at this point still waiting on some strong people to take this big tank out of my truck!!!
I would like the pump to be as quiet as possible as the tank will be in a living room. I’m not sure what corals I want just that I will be adding them - so much to learn still. Focusing on getting equipment first. I’m not sure on AC vs DC looking for advice. Also trying to not break the bank
I would like the pump to be as quiet as possible as the tank will be in a living room. I’m not sure what corals I want just that I will be adding them - so much to learn still. Focusing on getting equipment first. I’m not sure on AC vs DC looking for advice. Also trying to not break the bank
CC13
Valuable Member
This is the best photo I have at this point still waiting on some strong people to take this big tank out of my truck!!!
I would like the pump to be as quiet as possible as the tank will be in a living room. I’m not sure what corals I want just that I will be adding them - so much to learn still. Focusing on getting equipment first. I’m not sure on AC vs DC looking for advice. Also trying to not break the bank
Honestly for a tank your size I would go with a Reeflo Dart. Super reliable and has the power you would need. They are AC powered - only caveat is they are not silent but they are external so they don't transfer any heat into the water from being run.
If you want perfectly silent you can look to Red Dragon or Abyzz pumps. They are DC and can be controlled (ramped up and down) with a controller like the Apex or GHL and are built to also transfer as little heat as possible into the water.
CC13
Valuable Member
Reeflo Dart only comes in one size:
https://premiumaquatics.com/products/reeflo-snapperdart-hybrid-external-water-pump.html
Red Dragon:
https://premiumaquatics.com/products/red-dragon-3-speedy-150-watt-10v-connection.html
It might seem like overkill, but the trick in my opinion to save money is buy the best return pump you can, and run all your reactors as well as the main display tank off this one pump. That way, you have the smallest amount of heat being transferred to your system from excess pumps. The cost of running and buying a chiller would be far more in terms of upfront cost (buying the unit), and then the continued cost of electricity to run the unit.
