best pumps?

tinman383

tinman383

New Member
I am ready to buy an external pump for my 90gal reef tank. It seems that everyone that I have talked to recommends either the Iwaki or Little Giant. Are the Iwaki's with the Japanese motors worth the extra price? I am willing to spend the money on the best pump I can get. Another thing is how high do I want to go on the flow rate for my 90? I don't want to spend a ton of money and then find out that I should have gone one step up on the flow rate. Is there a maximum flow rate that I should not exceed? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
 
q

q

Member
To match your pump calculate your head preasure then find the pump to match the flow you want. ;)
I usually go one size bigger because I am like you I would rather buy a 5 dollar ball valve than have a 100 dollar pump be the wrong one.
For flow I would shoot for 600-900 gph coming back into the tank. The water flow that the corals will want will determine how much you can blast them with the return.
 
tarpon88

tarpon88

New Member
I have a 90 reef set up and I have a little giant 2MDX on it. The plumbing has a total of two 90's on it. I have only 1 return and it is running my skimmer also. If I were to do it again I would go up to the Little Giant 4MDX or 4MDQX. The price dif. in only 20$ or so. The 2 is not enough for the skimmer and the return IMO.
 
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