How many GPH pump for a 125g with dual overflows?

[rayman45]

is it straight up 3ft? because i have a check valve, ball valve and a UV Sterilizer plus one elbow, which counts as head loss for me. but in your case...i think your little giant is no little giant.. it must have a very powerful drive inside.... compared to a car.. you got a great torque in it. i'll cosider little giant in my next tank if that's the case.

i gotta go get 2 check valves and 2 ball valves...
do u need to close your valve at all?

 

[eh1421]

my little giant 4mdqx just plan rocks
and to tell the truth i am actually pumping about five foot straight up then 90 degrees 3 foot over then 90 degrees 1 foot over and 90 degrees down
and yes it kicks arse
i would suggest this pump to anyone

mike

 

[ewurm]

If you keep monsters then I recommend a pair or trio of AC 110's.

 

[rkc772]

i gotta go get 2 check valves and 2 ball valves...
do u need to close your valve at all?

i only use one ball valve and one check valve. the ball valve is a union ball valve placed right where the pump is then a check valve to avoid siphoning/backflow. i do not need to close the valve since the check valve does that when i turn the pump off. the ball valve is always open unless i need to detach the pump or if ever needed to reduce the gph of the pump(which i did not need to do). you can put some ball valve in the drain if you want (some people do it but i just don't have the space so i did not put any.

why do you need to get two check valve? save it and just use one right after the ball valve you can put the check valve.

 

[xxblwn408]

I have a mag-drive 1800 on my 150g with dual 600gph overflows. I have a ball valve on the return, and it runs great. Bigger is better IMO.

 

[rayman45]

I have a mag-drive 1800 on my 150g with dual 600gph overflows. I have a ball valve on the return, and it runs great. Bigger is better IMO.

do u need to restrict it at all and how tall is the entire setup

 

[rayman45]

i only use one ball valve and one check valve. the ball valve is a union ball valve placed right where the pump is then a check valve to avoid siphoning/backflow. i do not need to close the valve since the check valve does that when i turn the pump off. the ball valve is always open unless i need to detach the pump or if ever needed to reduce the gph of the pump(which i did not need to do). you can put some ball valve in the drain if you want (some people do it but i just don't have the space so i did not put any.

why do you need to get two check valve? save it and just use one right after the ball valve you can put the check valve.

my line switches into 2... ill tank pics real quick

sorry for small **** pic... cell phone

 

[xxblwn408]

do u need to restrict it at all and how tall is the entire setup

I do restrict the flow a little. The total height of the stand and tank is 55".

 

[rayman45]

ooo..

well my pic sucks..

but it breaks right into 2 sides... then goes up then to each side

 

[rkc772]

one draw back about restriction on flow is that it creates heat on the pump... compared to a car... braking and running at the same time. mag drive 18 has a 3/4" in/out.. i made the pipes 1" to lessen the stress and it goes way better in flow rate. 1" pipe divides into two 3/4" on the end tip.. totally cutting restriction. i talked to danner (manufacturer of mag drive) they told me it would better to get a bigger pipe like 1" to 1 1/4" for the mag 18 and for the mag 24 and 36 i would go for a 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" at least. if you calculate it right you don't need to restrict the flow rate. as i said earlier... i have two 1" drain with overflow rim of 22" and my pump is mag 18 it's around 3-3.5 ft up. it's perfect no restriction needed. spend some time calculating before doing the final touch.. once the plumbing is done it's hard to change here and their. you also need to consider the capacity of your wet/dry and sump.