Return Pump size on a 240

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nmadsen4

Plecostomus
MFK Member
Dec 16, 2008
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phoenix
Alright so i've read a bunch of threads and my head is spinning. I just want someone to tell me what to get.

I have a 240. (8x2x2)

1.5" drains in each corner and 1" returns in each corner

The overflows are 6x6" squares built into each corner.

One of the drain hoses is about 3' and the other is 6'

What size pumps do i need? My thoughts were 2 Mag 9.5's?? or should i get Mag 7's?

The sump itself is an old 80 gallon that i resealed myself and I put a plastic 3 drawer tower inside of the tank. I cut holes in the top to fit the bulk heads and drilled holes in each drawer to create a trickling effect.

I realize that somewhere in the millions of threads there is probably my answer but I'm getting frustrated looking for it.
 
My mag 9 only moves about 700gph at head. So that would put you in the realm of 1400gph with two. I would almost consider a pair of mag 12's since your drains can handle it and that would put you closer to 10x turnover.

You'll maybe get 450 or 500 per pump with a mag 7 provided you use the correct diameter piping.

I think mag drives are an excellent choice if you're ok with paying a few bucks extra on the power bill.

2 pumps are always better than one. If a pump breaks down its no big deal


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Mag 12's hmmm. ok well thank you for the response. Your mentioning of 'correct' diameter piping has given me another question to ask. What should i use to connect the pump to the bottom of the bulk head?? For that i was thinking just 1" tubing because I already have a 3/4" fitting that connects to the bulk head. I'm a super rookie when it comes to sumps so tell me if i'm crazy. Also what size is the Out hole on the pump? will 1" even fit over it?
 
My 9.5 has a 3/4" threaded male outlet, I'm not sure on the 12, but it may be the same.

The magdrive pumps are designed to run with 1.5" plumbing. Danner even states it in their manuals. It's not 100% necessary especially since you are returning it into a 1" bulkhead, but large volume return plumbing does give the pumps their impressive flow curve.

If you want to move a large volume of water you gotta use large plumbing. Some types of pumps generate more pressure and can flow more water through smaller pipe at a higher pressure. From my experience magdrives move a high volume of water at a lower pressure. The technology is kind of dated but they do remain a very reliable and economical option.

Your 2 1.5" drains would have no problem handling a pair of mag 12's especially if your running 1" return plumbing. The only thing is your gonna be using 250 or so watts to run the pair. There are more energy efficient options like the jabao dc pumps or laguna max flo pumps.

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Awesome, thanks again. The cheapest I can find at the moment is around 130 bucks on Amazon. Where are you guys buying these pumps?
 
I'm using a Jebao 9000 DC pump on my 240 right now. 2 smaller pumps would have been better, but this one is doing the job just fine. Uses less wattage than the Mags, has a cool controller that lets you adjust the flow, and I bought it off amazon for around $130 with free prime shipping!
 
Pair of Laguna Max-Flo 960's?
 
Never heard of a Laguna. How do they compare with Jebao or Mag's?
 
I'm running a laguna maxflo 2900 on my 235. Dead silent and very efficient, power usage is comparable to the dc pumps(if I remember correctly).
 
Either the Jebao (I've not used personally) or the Waveline models (I have 10000 II and 12000). I believe the Jebao is designed after the Waveline. I don't think you can go wrong with the Waveline - it's also a DC pump and quiet compared to some that I've heard running.
 
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