what return pump to use with 1200gph overflow?

[mos90]

i am thinking of using a 1200gph overflow for my 125 non-drilled tank. most likely i will be buying eshopps 2nd gen refugium/sump. comes with 2-1" inlets.

i have a brand new via aqua 4900 pump sitting in my spare parts drawer and was thinking of using it. flow rating is 1360 gph at 0, 1150 at 3, 1000 at 5. most likely i will be at 3ft, i think it will work out perfect.

or i could buy a mag 12.

planning on splitting the return water to each side of the aquarium and the overflow in the middle, or just about.

 

[nonstophoops]

i am thinking of using a 1200gph overflow for my 125 non-drilled tank. most likely i will be buying eshopps 2nd gen refugium/sump. comes with 2-1" inlets.

i have a brand new via aqua 4900 pump sitting in my spare parts drawer and was thinking of using it. flow rating is 1360 gph at 0, 1150 at 3, 1000 at 5. most likely i will be at 3ft, i think it will work out perfect.

or i could buy a mag 12.

planning on splitting the return water to each side of the aquarium and the overflow in the middle, or just about.

Remember that those head ratings are for straight lines with no other resistance(smaller pipes, turns, etc.). At 3 feet the 4900 should be alright as long as you limit those resistances.

If you are going to buy a new pump, buy a Mag Drive 18, not a 12. The 18 will maximize your overflow and if there is little resistance you may actually have to incorporate a ball valve to dial it down slightly.

 

[FLESHY]

I wouldnt restrict the outflow on a pump like that. Its one thing if it is on a reactor where you are using a crappy little pump, but I would be sketched out with a mag 18.

+1 to dustin's comment on head pressure. I would get the thing that came as close to 1200 without exceeding it at the height which you want to return water to the tank.

 

[nonstophoops]

I wouldnt restrict the outflow on a pump like that. Its one thing if it is on a reactor where you are using a crappy little pump, but I would be sketched out with a mag 18.

+1 to dustin's comment on head pressure. I would get the thing that came as close to 1200 without exceeding it at the height which you want to return water to the tank.

Closing a ball valve slightly isn't restricting the pump any more than putting a 90 degree turn or horizontal run does. The pump doesn't know the difference and it doesn't affect the pumps performance. Otherwise you could argue that the pump should not be used at any head height because it would have restriction on it that would cause problems. So, there is no problem if you needed to restrict it slightly. Most likely you wouldn't by the time you put the plumbing together though.

 

[Heathd]

Closing a ball valve slightly isn't restricting the pump any more than putting a 90 degree turn or horizontal run does. The pump doesn't know the difference and it doesn't affect the pumps performance. Otherwise you could argue that the pump should not be used at any head height because it would have restriction on it that would cause problems. So, there is no problem if you needed to restrict it slightly. Most likely you wouldn't by the time you put the plumbing together though.

Yup, any magnetically driven pump can have a ball valve inline on the return to restrict flow, no problem.

However, a ball valve should never be installed on the intake side, as it will burn the pump up.

 

[nonstophoops]

Yup, any magnetically driven pump can have a ball valve inline on the return to restrict flow, no problem.

However, a ball valve should never be installed on the intake side, as it will burn the pump up.

Good add on here that I did not mention. never restrict the intake. Good point Heath.

 

[FLESHY]

Touche. I still dont like it. Makes one of my pumps much louder (this at least shows you that I am doing it myself ha)

 

[nonstophoops]

Touche. I still dont like it. Makes one of my pumps much louder (this at least shows you that I am doing it myself ha)

LOL I think it's funny you seem to break all your own rules.

 

[mos90]

I was planning on adding a ball valve no matter what. Just in case. There will be a 90 split also. Mag 18 probably a better choice but maybe I'll give the 4900 a shot first see how it works. If I can't keep the overflow happy I will upgrade.

Or I could go with a 1000 gph overflow. I think the more flow the better.

 

[mos90]

I've seen that most people overpump and dial in with ball valve. I have a mag 5 on my nano sump return and I need to back it off about 25%. It does make it louder.