Hi all, looking for some suggestions on my setup. I'm upgrading to 2 210 gallon megaflow tanks with aqueon durso returns from my 125 and 75 freshwater wih fx5 canisters . This is my first time going with a wet/dry filter, (have an eshopps 300 wd). After much research, I'm not sure if I should go with 2 mag 9's, 1 for each overflow return, or go with a single mag 18 t'ed into both returns for each tank. From sump to the top of the tank it will be about 5' or so. I plan to run heavily stocked freshwater ca/sa cichlids so I want to make sure I get a good turnover rate. I also plan to run 1 fx5 filter with the wet/dry to help with mechanical filtering since I already have one in service. I've even considered a single mag24 though I'm wondering if that would be too much flow?? Thanks for the help!
return pump suggestion for 210 gallon megaflow tank
- Thread starter Aquatic Nut
- Start date
I'm running a Herbie overflow in my Megaflow, with 2 into 1 drain controlled by a pvc gate valve. For return it's a single Mag 18 which is perfect for this setup. I never gave much thought to two returns mainly cuz with the Herbie overflow the return holes in the Megaflows are used as emergency drains. My Mag 18 goes to a pvc spray bar.
If you're gonna be running an fx5 in addition to the sump, I would really consider choosing a pump with a lower gph and really allow the water to have contact time with the media. High turnover is great for mechanical, but not for bio filtration. With sumps that I use along with canisters I aim for 3-5x turnover an hour.
Just a different point of view from the school of though that has preached that more turnover is always better. This is not always the case
Just a different point of view from the school of though that has preached that more turnover is always better. This is not always the case
Mags are pretty inefficient pumps. As Dave R mentioned, look into Laguna pumps; in many cases you can get the same or even more flow as the Mag on half the watts. The lower power consumption can add up to some serious cash savings over time.
Below is a comparison between the Max Flo 2000 and a Mag-Drive 1800:
Max Flo 2000 moves 1,360GPH @ 6' head on 80 watts
Mag-Drive 18 moves 1,125 GPH @ 6' head on 150 watts
So the Max Flo gives you 17 GPH per watt whereas the Mag only gives you 7.5 GPH per watt.
You can get more flow while using ~50% less electricity with the Laguna.
You could jump up to the Max Flo 2400 that does 1,664GPH @ 6' head on 84 watts, but I'm not sure if that will overpower your drains. I agree with SWKs comment about turnover. If you use the FX5 more for mechanical, there really isn't a need for super high turnover through your sump.
Here's Laguna's product catalog if you wanted to check it out- (see page 19 for the Max-flo flow chart): http://www.lagunaponds.com/lagunaeng/careguides/LagunaPond-GTWG-2013-English.pdf
Good luck with your new setup!
Below is a comparison between the Max Flo 2000 and a Mag-Drive 1800:
Max Flo 2000 moves 1,360GPH @ 6' head on 80 watts
Mag-Drive 18 moves 1,125 GPH @ 6' head on 150 watts
So the Max Flo gives you 17 GPH per watt whereas the Mag only gives you 7.5 GPH per watt.
You can get more flow while using ~50% less electricity with the Laguna.
You could jump up to the Max Flo 2400 that does 1,664GPH @ 6' head on 84 watts, but I'm not sure if that will overpower your drains. I agree with SWKs comment about turnover. If you use the FX5 more for mechanical, there really isn't a need for super high turnover through your sump.
Here's Laguna's product catalog if you wanted to check it out- (see page 19 for the Max-flo flow chart): http://www.lagunaponds.com/lagunaeng/careguides/LagunaPond-GTWG-2013-English.pdf
Good luck with your new setup!
Thanks for the help guys. I will take a look at the Lagunas, how quiet are they? I didn't put much consideration into watt usage until now, I will look into this some more. I was originally going to use only the wet/dry filter though I've been reading that mechanical filtration on them is weak. Maybe I'll run the wet/dry first and if needed I'll add the fx5 later, luckily I already have it, lol. So it would seem that I'm better off using only 1 return pump for both overflows vs 2? I'm not sure if any head pressure is added running only one pump for 2 megaflows?
I may have to get me a Laguna pump when mines die, although it may be awhile. I like the cost savings.
Glad to help...I like talking about pumps and filtration.
In regards to your lower electric bill, I did the math; assuming you pay the national average for electricity of $0.11 per KWHr, you would save ~$66 per year by going with the Max Flo 2000 over the Mag Drive 18.
I'm running the largest Laguna pump and it is very quiet. Noise level, efficiency and reliability were my main concerns when I was looking into which pump to use. In the research I did and now in my own personal experience over the past 2 years, Lagunas rate really well in these categories.
In regards to running 2 pumps, you could go with 2 Max flo 1350s. They do 679GPH @ 6' head on 75 watts each.
There would be no added head by using two pumps and the redundancy of running two pumps is nice- you would just have to decide if it's worth the extra initial cost to purchase both pumps and the added electricity cost of running two pumps.
I'm not sure you really need the FX5, but other than the additional cost to run it (about $50 per year using the same assumptions as before), it wouldn't hurt.
BTW, I used 6' of head in all my examples because even though you said you only have a 5' rise from your sump to the top of your tank, friction loss from the plumbing will add at least 1' of head.
Good luck!
I like the Laguna pump and may go with that one. I'm trying to look at others on the market also before I make a final decision. Anyone have any input on eheim, rio and sicce pumps?
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