How many pumps do I need?

I purchased a 120 gallon tank and am wanting to purchase the pump and skimmer next. I want to do reef and fish with a sump that has macro algae and rock and maybe sand. I thought I had the pump figured out that I was going to get. ...around 1500 gph at 4 foot head height but then I saw where someone had said they had one pump hooked up for their return and ANOTHER ONE on the skimmer ! How many pumps do you have to have? I'm so confused. Please help. Also, I am very interested in getting a pump that uses low wattage and any suggestions would be fantastic. I have such a hard time googling it for some reason.
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THERE ARE TWO overflows.

48X24X25 - From the top of the tank to the bottom of the stand is almost 54 inches.

Are powerheads pumps? Do I only need one pump, one skimmer, and either 2 powerheads or a wave2k, a heater or chiller and thats it? If I don't have money to blow is the wave2k a waste of money or will it make my fish and animals happier?? WAVE2K!
Leah

Oh, and the reason I mentioned the skimmer is because that is part of the confusion. Someone said they needed to know what kind of skimmer I am getting before they can tell me what kind of pump to get. ?

 

The links dont seem to work for me.

As for powerheads, I would check out the Water Pumps & Wavemakers: Hydor Koralia Water Circulation Pumps they are low wattage and amazingly creative (who needs to spend 400$ on a vortech)

One of my buds uses them on his 100gal reef, I have them on my 55 and I love them. The magnet makes them very mobile.

For a 120gal (since they don't use a jet stream, high turn over but dispersed over a larger area than most power-heads) I would say maybe 4 of the #4s. Or a combo of 4s and 3s... I have a #2 and #3 on my 55 and the #2, although gets the job done, does seem a bit weak...though you can tell there is massive overall water movement. If I would do it over again, I probably would get 2 #3s.

 

Hmmm...i just reread your post...i feel as though you are not looking for powerheads but external pumps for sump action?? heh...

 

I fixed the pics....sorry. I will reply to posts tomorrow. I'm going to bed. Thank you all so much !!

 

after you have your morning coffee and read this, try and stay away from powerheads (submersible pumps) and go with external pumps. less problems, less heat exchange and more reliable. have one pump designated for your main tanks supply, look at head pressure to figure out which one to get. i prefer little giant and gen-x external pumps. every skimmer has a specific amount of flow needed to operate correctly. dont waste your time with the wave2k.

pictures didnt work

 

both actually. I'm trying to figure out what to buy next: pump, powerheads, skimmer, and such. Thanks for the great info

 

WOW, got some funding eh!!!!
Your rock set up will determine where the "power heads" are located.
Flow, now that is something!
This is the forum for you.
Look around here and ask before you put moisture to that tank.
some call me frank

 

Frank, funding is slowing creeping in. lol. I'll be ready to buy 2 or 3 pieces of equipment within the next month. I really don't know about the rock though because I'm not setting this tank up until I move again in September. I just want to get some equipment ready. When I move I want to set the tank up. In fact I'll probably set the tank up BEFORE I UNPACK !!! and let it get to cycling. LOL funny, huh? I'm so excited and can't wait !!!

 

I think you REALLY are doing it the right way and I give you Karma for your patients!!!!!!!!!!

 

Thanks. I really needed someone to say something nice to me. I'm on the verge of a saltwater aquarium break down. LOL. ....or as someone here said yesterday that made me laugh when I was falling apart "Querium" LOL. I called to enquire about a tank in the newspaper and they didn't have the area code and I guessed at it and called and the man said, "I didn't put no querium in the paper". ppphhh. It was silly. I laughed so hard and was glad I accidently called him because I was close to tears over the "querium". Now we're saying querium instead of aquarium ;D he he. Thanks for the smile you gave me, cuttingras.

Ok, here's one more question. sigh. I just heard about "closed loop system". Is this cheaper/more expensive in the long run or initial cost? Is this better for water quality? Does it matter what kind of fish or coral I want to decide this? I don't know what coral I want but I have an IDEA of the fish I want:
yellow faced jawfish
seahorses
ocellaris clownfish
blue jaw tilefish - (very active lives on bottom - so probably not with the seahorses, right?)
blue powder tangs
regal tang,
other tangs,
racoon butterfly fish,
Angel Fish
I realize I can't have these fish together and am also thinking about using my 75 gallon to do the seahorses. I am most in love with occelaris clownfish and blue powder tang and am aware I can't tackle this until later on...just trying to plan ahead. Also, I am developing a real problem with wild caught fish because of some horror stories I've read recently. I hope I am at least going to be able to find the BPT tank bred as I know I can find the clowns. If anyone knows of captive bred blue powder tangs PLEASE give me the link. ....or even for the regal tang (blue)... I haven't seen any of these fish captive bred except clowns.