best return pump for a 180gallon

[nitrofish]

I was thinking a genx/taam mak5. any other suggestions? the head height will be around 5 or so feet.

 

[paulthomas]

Blueline makes a nice pump. I haven't used mine yet. But it looks nice just the same.

 

[maurod]

Mak4 is plenty the Mak5 will push >1200gal hr and you'd need to really trust your overflows to allow that kind of flow.

Look at this page for some good pump data, it's the only one with stats on the mak4/5

http://www.reefs.org/library/pumps/

 

[nitrofish]

Mak4 is plenty the Mak5 will push >1200gal hr and you'd need to really trust your overflows to allow that kind of flow.

Look at this page for some good pump data, it's the only one with stats on the mak4/5

http://www.reefs.org/library/pumps/

thanks for the tip. how are mak pumps, any good?

 

[stevenp]

Jeff,
I use a Mak-4 for my return pump and IMO it's a lot of bang for the buck. I'm pumping 11' vertical and 14' horizontal and I think I'm STILL getting 900-1,000 gph at the display (1-1/2" pumbing on the return). I've been running the pump for a year now (without a cleaning) and it's never faulted.

It's a great pump as far as I'm concerned. The only drawback is that it's fairly noisey since it's fan cooled... but since it's in my basement it doesn't bother me. It's really not that bad, but I wouldn't want it in the display stand.

You're welcome to swing by and check it out if you want.

Steve

 

[nitrofish]

Jeff,
I use a Mak-4 for my return pump and IMO it's a lot of bang for the buck. I'm pumping 11' vertical and 14' horizontal and I think I'm STILL getting 900-1,000 gph at the display (1-1/2" pumbing on the return). I've been running the pump for a year now (without a cleaning) and it's never faulted.

It's a great pump as far as I'm concerned. The only drawback is that it's fairly noisey since it's fan cooled... but since it's in my basement it doesn't bother me. It's really not that bad, but I wouldn't want it in the display stand.

You're welcome to swing by and check it out if you want.

Steve

oh, ok I remember the pump you where useing,I didn't realize it was a mak4. it didn't seem that noisy. I think I will go with that pump then. where did your get yours?

 

[nitrofish]

oh and another question, the pump has 3/4 mpt on the inlet and outlet, im assuming you need to step it up on both ends for it to run correctly. any tips on the size I should make the inlet? and where do i find these fittings

 

[stevenp]

Jeff,
Correct, you will need to step it up on both ends. I found all the fittings I needed at Lowes in Lincoln Plaza. I'm using 1.5" both going into and coming out of the pump. I did some research and found that a 1.5" return was optimal. I've heard people say your line coming into the pump should be larger than the one going out, but I don't have any problems with the way mine is set up. It's never cavitated.