Return Pump to use

[kanegan]

Hi gurus,

How do I determine which pump I need to power the return from sump? Any recommendations?

Pictures of the tank

[comycus]

Hi gurus,

How do I determine which pump I need to power the return from sump? Any recommendations?

Pictures of the tank

Best is to ask the person you bought the tank from. It doesn't look like a 3.5x2x2 anyway, what are the dimensions of the tank?

[Solo77]

Hi Bro, based on your pic, the previous owner is using an ehiem pump. I think you should go for 1262.

Best is to ask the person you bought the tank from. It doesn't look like a 3.5x2x2 anyway, what are the dimensions of the tank?

[kanegan]

Hi Bro, based on your pic, the previous owner is using an ehiem pump. I think you should go for 1262.

hi bros,

Its 3.5 by 2.5 by 2.5. And you have sharp eyes, the original pump is ehiem 1262 unfortunately someone else beat me to the sale.

What I want to know is how you determine the output requirement for new tank setups...

[RockyBoy]

Eheim 1262 should be ok.

My tank is 3x3x2.5 and using eheim 1262 for 3 years now...

[zorden]

Eheim 1262 should be ok.

My tank is 3x3x2.5 and using eheim 1262 for 3 years now...

u keeping SPS or LPS?

[kanegan]

i haven't decided yet

[kanegan]

I got the actual dimensions of the tank

42" x 24" x 30"

Online calculators say it will hold just under 500l

assuming i need 10x turn over, isn't 1262 undersized?

[teebs]

I got the actual dimensions of the tank

42" x 24" x 30"

Online calculators say it will hold just under 500l

assuming i need 10x turn over, isn't 1262 undersized?

Will ur chiller be connected to the return pump or will it be run seperately? If it is run seperately, then a 1262 for the return and another 1262 for the chiller will be sufficient.

[pokmingsheng]

Will ur chiller be connected to the return pump or will it be run seperately? If it is run seperately, then a 1262 for the return and another 1262 for the chiller will be sufficient.

i just bought a 1262,

use it for my return pump which will have to flow thru Coralife 3X UV and chiller before going up into the main tank...

the water that flows out still seem strong..

by the way i'm having a 2ft cube...

[teebs]

i just bought a 1262,

use it for my return pump which will have to flow thru Coralife 3X UV and chiller before going up into the main tank...

the water that flows out still seem strong..

by the way i'm having a 2ft cube...

The difference between a 2ft cube and a 3.5 x 2 x 2.5 is huge...

[kanegan]

No chiller planned at this point so....

I am hoping to have a simple eco-friendly system here.

So I would like an energy efficient pump.

[teebs]

In this case, you can consider the Rio HF26 pump.

5700l/hr(120cm head); 4940l/hr(230cm head) Max head : 430 cm, 120W.

[RockyBoy]

u keeping SPS or LPS?

both

[zorden]

both

then i guess my OCR 6500 will be an overkill

[RockyBoy]

then i guess my OCR 6500 will be an overkill

There are different school of thoughts for the return pump size capacity.

Mine is not so fast return pump because I want my sump's filtering mechanism to extract as much stuffs as possible as my pump to my skimmer is less than 2000l/h, my fluidised phosphate and carbon is less than 400l/hr, more contact time for my cheato able to absorb the nutrients from the water, my filter wool size is not so big and I double the wool layers to absorb more dirt, so too fast will make the water overflow.

Most importantly is to have lots of internal circulation in the main tank to water movements to prevent old tank syndrome.

[kanegan]

old tank syndrome?

[RockyBoy]

Due to sheer laziness... spoil the pump, spoil the reef...

Do open up and service your return pumps at least once a year...

[kanegan]

Any reason why Rio is not popular with reefers even though it is so much cheaper?

[sherman]

Due to sheer laziness... spoil the pump, spoil the reef...

Do open up and service your return pumps at least once a year...

Annual maintenace is important for most pump.

[comycus]

Any reason why Rio is not popular with reefers even though it is so much cheaper?

Quality is better. You need something reliable as your return. Not to say Rio is cmi, just not as reliable and long lasting.

btw, how are you planning to keep your 3.5x2x2.5 cool if you don't use chiller? 10 fans blowing on the water surface? evaporation rate will be crazy, not to mention the noise from the fans. If you want to keep FOWLR, the fishes can still survive at higher temperatures, but still advisable to get chiller for a tank your size. If you're keeping sps and using MH lights... then no amount of fan blowing will work.

[kanegan]

Quality is better. You need something reliable as your return. Not to say Rio is cmi, just not as reliable and long lasting.

btw, how are you planning to keep your 3.5x2x2.5 cool if you don't use chiller? 10 fans blowing on the water surface? evaporation rate will be crazy, not to mention the noise from the fans. If you want to keep FOWLR, the fishes can still survive at higher temperatures, but still advisable to get chiller for a tank your size. If you're keeping sps and using MH lights... then no amount of fan blowing will work.

I see. Ok.

No fans or chillers at the moment. You should not see me using MH lights ever.

Will let the tank run first and monitor the temperature first

[Solo77]

ya, reliable pump names so far i heard are ehiem, RD, OR........think ehiem seems to be most reliable from feedback i gathered...and those were made in germany one....the new one made in china, hopefully quality stays.