Recommended gph return pump

[jtran002]

Hi Guys,
Im starting a new 180 gallon tank with a 75 gallon sump. What is the recommended gph return for it and any recommended pumps? I want to go with an external pump and prefer something less noisy because the tank is right outside of my room. Thanks

 

[banshee1]

Its hard to say without knowing what your overflow is rated for.is the tank reef ready or are you using a overflow box?

 

[JayM]

the other questions relate to how your sump is set up. Baffles? LR? skimmer? what else? does the 180 have single or dual overflows?

 

[jtran002]

Its an AGA aquarium with 2 corner overflow. The sump will be 3 baffles, 1st is the skimmer, 2nd is chaeto, and 3rd is live rock and return.

 

[stingythingy45]

JMO,

But I would shoot for 5x tank volume turnover per hour.
So 900 gph.
The Eheim 1262 Pump might work for you.

Some will say that's not enough.But it's plenty to process waste through biological means(macro-algae) and mechanical means(skimmer).
Return pumps should not be used for flow in the tank.Phs and closed loops are best for this.

 

[jtran002]

I was thinking somewhere around 1200 gph, is that out of the ballpark? Im going to have 2 mp40s for flow

 

[stingythingy45]

That will work.
But just keep in mind that for every ft. of head pressure,elbow,unions you loose a little flow.

 

[Snickers80]

Like Stingy said everyone has their own opinion. I know alot of people say 10x turnover per hour. All on what you want.

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Andy V]

Like Stingy said everyone has their own opinion. I know alot of people say 10x turnover per hour. All on what you want.

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

The people that say 10x are usually trying to get most of their flow from the return pump, which is not the best way to go about it. Furthermore, at 10x going through the sump, the skimmer will be less effective and you will have issues with microbubbles most likely.

 

[roy]

I think for return pump for your tank, a mag12 should be a perfect

In fact i think any pump will work, make sure you have a valve to restrict the flow in case the pump is too strong

 

[jamesdong009]

I try to match my return pump's GPH with my skimmer pump. Although I do have it slightly higher rated so I can run a manifold off of it.

 

[snowmaker]

You might want to consider what your tanks drains (bulkheads) can handle and remain reasonably quiet. My 120 has 1.5" drains (2) and running a Rio HF26 provided around 1100gph @4'. This set-up is virtually silent. If it had 2, 1" drains instead of 1.5" it would be a little noisy.
The Blue Line external pumps are very quiet and powerful, but IME put a lot of heat into the water.