Looking for a Return Pump for Sump

I'm in the process of putting together a sump system. I just got the tank all set which is about 12 gallons. The Overflow box is a CPR CS50 Overflow Box which has a 300gph flow rate. Now the last items I need are a return pump and tubing.

I've been looking at the Mag 7 Pump. The distance it needs to pump is a little less than 3 feet so at that it looks like the flow rate would be around 500gph. Is that too much? I wish there was a Mag 6 pump because a Mag 5 def seems too weak. Does anyone else have another suggestion for a quality return pump where the overflow runs at around 300gph?

On a side note, I've heard people using spray bars in their DT for the return line. Is this the best way? What methods do you guys use for an end attachment on the return line, if any? That part seems to have me confused since I don't see many options for returning water to the pump.

I'm new to the sump concept and just finished reading Powerman's article so that def. helped but moving all this water around sure has me worried when I'm not there in case of a power outage :-X

Thanks!

 

Is your return going to be the only flow in the tank, or do you have any small powerheads? That much flow through your sump might give you microbubble issues, regardless of if there are proper traps. I think you would be much better off with a mag 5, but if your running a skimmer and/or a reactor off the return a mag 7 might be the better choice.

have you looked into locline for your return plumbing? it gives you loads of flexibility for flow directionality.

~Will.

 

I have 2 Koralias 1s as well as a AquaClear 20g powerhead in my tank already. I have a AquaC Remora HOB filter which I plan to place in the sump because of microbubble issues, the skimmer runs off a maxijet 1200 pump. So I would think I have enough flow in the DT as it stands now. Edit: It's a 46gal tank btw.

So even though a Mag 5 will be only able to pump at around 350gph max you think that would be enough? I will glad spend less money I just am not sure if its enough. And if I bought a larger one, couldn't I adjust it to a slower flow or are these set to 1 rate with no adjuster?

Microbubbles are one of my primary concerns so I would like to keep that to a minimum. As for the locline, those modular hoses look good especially since you can attach a spray module which is ideally what I'm looking for I think.

Thanks for the quick reply btw!

 

or a 12 gallon tank, a mag 5 should work well for you.. I used a mag 9.5 on my 30 gallon, and I could have done much better with a mag 7..

 

now I'm confused . . . are you saying your using a HOB filter on the display tank and the sump, or the aqua C is your skimmer?? all your really going to need is the return pump and a couple powerheads in the tank, no need for the HOB filters at all, save those for a quarantine or hospital tank just in case.

dont worry too much about matching the return with the drain, the tank will only drain [through an overflow] what is being pumped out of the sump. If microbubbles are a concern I would definitely go with a slower route through the sump. you could get the mag 7 and plumb a ball valve or a gate inline with the return plumbing to adjust the flow. what size sump are you using, and what does your layout of baffles look like?

~Will.

 

The Aqua C Remora is a HOB Protein Skimmer that I have been using on my DT but since it creates a decent amount of microbubbles, I am going to move it to my sump in the hopes that it will be reduced. I've heard of others who have moved the Remora to the sump and it cleared up the micro bubbles. I've had the thing running probably for 3 months now and it still produces the bubbles. I have a preskim box which did help but its so big =/.

So what I get you're saying is don't worry as much about matching the gph for feed/return because you can manipulate that through the plumping?

And the sump is a 3 compartment system with a microbubble catcher (basically foam).

 

For something in the 300 GPH range I am a big fan of the Eheim 1250:
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2741

I have 2 of them. Quiet, durable and reliable.

 

ditch the foam, it will only become another thing to keep clean. three baffles next to each other routing water under the first, over the second, then back under the third should stop the majority of any bubbles you get from the skimmer / drain section of the sump.

this was kind of a hard concept for me to grasp when I was first starting out (lol @ plumping). if you have a overflow rated at 300gph and a return of 100gph you will not have a flood to deal with. your display will only drain what you are supplying it from the sump if its through an overflow. if you just had a hole in the bottom for a drain then that would be a different story.

~Will.

 

The Eheim 1250 looks like it beats out the Mag on everything including cost haha. Well considering the tax refund is coming I think I can splurge ;D. I would prefer one that is quiet and all the reviews hold up to what you say Matt. Thanks for the input I think I may purchase the 1250 and then use some of the locline tubes to create a return feed.

As for the baffle setup, it's probably easier to just give a link to the product: Reef Sump - 10 to 75 Gallon - 18 in. x 10 in. x 16 in. | Wet/Dry Aquarium Filters | Filters | Aquarium - ThatPetPlace.com

I'm hoping that foam filter will block out most of the micro bubbles from the skimmer.

Thanks!

 

did you already buy that? a 10 gallon tank has similar dimensions and you could DIY a better sump and save your self around $100.

~Will.