Calling pump gods

K, in the next phase of my build before I buy need suggestions. I decided on the octopus turbine 3000 for a return (non needle wheel) Alot of people give it great reviews plus its only 50 bucks so buying 2 of those, now I come to my next question. I have a via-aqua reactor and will be buying a 2nd reactor but since the pumps suck I want a pump that can run both but be restricted. They will be branched off from 1 line to 2 so 1 will run carbon at a high flow and the other phosphate which runs at a snails pace. Im goign to make a restrictor for the pump but I need to know a good pump I should buy to run both and reduce the space needed in my sump.

 

bump

 

I don't know for sure, I think almost any pump that can push 400-500 gph should be fine, I think a maxijet 1200 may work although don't quote me on that since you're splitting it, it might be a little on the short side. If anything you may want to overestimate it though since you're going to have valves on it to regulate the flow to each side.

Also, are you sure about running carbon at high flow and phosphate at low? AFAIK carbon should not be tumbling as it can break apart. GFO on the other hand I believe should be gently tumbling otherwise it can cake up and form a solid mass relatively easily.
It may depend exactly what type of carbon and which phosphate media you're using but just wanted to raise that since the products I use are the opposite from how you mentioned.

 

I like the idea of running a manifold off the return pump for stuff like reactors and re-circulating skimmers.

~Will.

 

I do too.

 

ya carbon has to be at a higher flow than phosphate, the phosphate needs just a gentle flow thru it and slightly higher with carbon. Thats why i wanna kill 2 birds with 1 stone

 

First off, carbon should not be at a higher flow than GFO in reactors. They run at the same pace. Reactors are designed to have a certain flow run through them to operate at maximum efficiency, regardless of your media.
I would invest in a better return pump and run a manifold off of the return line. This way you can just use the one pump to power everything. Saves money on electricity, is quieter, and helps reduce potential heat issues. Really the only way to go IMHO.

 

I also just looked up the octopus pump. It says it is for skimmers. What is it's max head height? I can not find that listed info anywhere. Flow at head? If it's a skimmer pump and not pressure rated, it most likely won't even work as a return pump.

 

its a quality pump, not a cheap one. Reef octopus makes them as a turbine and not a needle wheel. They are the same as the ocean runners and have heard great things from people that are using them. Max head is going to be 8ft. I want a seperate pump to fun the reactors.

 

Ive always been told by locals that are very knowledgeable that a higer rate of flow is needed for carbon and a very low flow for phosphate. I go from what I hear from trusted people and if thats the case that they both use the same flow then I will do that, I just want to eliminate 2 single pumps and run a larger one and dial it back to suit the reactors. Ive been back and forth on numerous pumps and from what ive heard these are the new school ocean runner pumps and people that have had them will keep using them do to low power consumption and low heat compared to a mag drive pump.