Pump upgrade advice

S

Slovak

I have a 72-gallon bowfront tank, total system volume about 90 gallons; I have some hard corals, but it's not SPS crazy. I will be adding a 29-gallon bowfront as my show refugium. Currently I run a Mag 7 (700 gph, 60W) as my return. I plan on upgrading the pump, then split the return. I am leaning toward the Quiet One. Would the 4000 (1017 gph, 50W) be sufficient, or should I consider going with the 5000 (1330 gph, 110W) model? Thanks!

Peter...
 
I would leave the Mag and then run the quiet one on a closed loop. That much flow through the sump causes skimmer efficiency issues, micro bubble issues, (being able to drain enough issues, etc.
 
I should mention that I have 2 modded MJ1200's in the main display. I was planning to put another one in the refugium. I might trade my MJs for the new Koralia or the Vortec.

I hear you on the high flow through the sump. I was just concerned whether a Mag7 would be sufficient to turn over 120 gallons of system volume. At 4 ft of head it pushes about 450 gph.

Peter...
 
@Slovak wrote:
I hear you on the high flow through the sump. said:
I think he's talking mainly about the amount of flow through a sump that size creating issues.

I was just concerned whether a Mag7 would be sufficient to turn over 120 gallons of system volume. At 4 ft of head it pushes about 450 gph. said:
You really should not try to maximize your tank turnover rate with the return pump, you should use a closed loop or PH's of some sort(vortech etc) to do that.

Cheers!
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450G through your sump is fine. Even on the high side. 3-5 times is recommended. Slower soesn't hurt much. Faster causes issues!
 
My sump is a 29-gallon with baffles, only filled about half-way, thus I am guesstimating it at 18 or so gallons of additional volume.

If I am hearing everyone correctly, 3-4 times turnover rate within the system should be sufficient. Then use powerheads/closed loop for additional flow inside the tank/display refugium.

I didn't think the Mag7 would be sufficient, but you might have convinced me otherwise. I might still get the Quiet One for energy/heat savings reasons as well as the noise issues.

Peter...
 
@Slovak wrote:
My sump is a 29-gallon with baffles said:
So the last line is certainly valid. How is you fuge/sump setup? Do you T off the return to feed the fuge or what? Basically you want about 400GPH going through your sump. Do it with the smallest pump possible as iot will be the quietest and most energy efficient.
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I don't have it set up yet... this is an upgrade coming over the next couple of weeks. My sump is set up as: intake, skimmer, bubble trap, return. I might change the baffles a bit to accommodate filter media/heaters. In general though, the sump will stay a sump. My fuge will be set up for show next to the main tank. I plan to T-off the return pump, with most of it going to the display tank, and some of it going to the fuge. The fuge will then empty back into the sump, most likely the return area so as not to go into the skimmer.

Peter...
 
Ya perfect, sounds good. you should easily be able to get away with the quiet one 4000 run a T with 300-400 GPH to the fuge and would still leave you plenty for the return.

The Mag would also work though I think if you don't want to spend the money!
 
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