getting very angry with my lfs

[sparty059]

Ok I gotcha. I'm slightly confused now though. What do I need to pump the water back into the tank? I already have one 1400GHP and was told to put it in my tank... however, what do you mean center of my tank? I have my overflow in the center so I can't put it there... but I was going to place one on top on the side and then another on the bottom when I get the other. I just don't want a tank that'll have fish struggling to swim against a strong current. =[... It bothers me to see that... I don't think the tank looks as nice and smooth then. IMO

 

[meowzer]

Look up mag drive water pumps.....that is the type of pump that you will pump your water to the tank with.....not necessarily that brand though.....That's what I use, but I know there are other types...
Koralias won;t blow your fish all over.....the flow is dispersed....what type do you have already?
by placing them in different areas...you will have flow all over...and hopefully no dead spots....I have 5 powerheads in my tank....along with the return from the sump, and 2 canister filters with the spray bars (1 on each side)

 

[sparty059]

I don't remember, it's downstairs and don't feel like getting up to go check i'm exhausted! Should I get a Mag - Drive 3/5/or 7 for my sump input into my aquarium?

 

[dc2mlbsm]

I believe u need a Mag Drive 9.5

 

[aquaknight]

Originally Posted by Sparty059
http:///forum/post/3293498
Ok I gotcha. I'm slightly confused now though. What do I need to pump the water back into the tank? I already have one 1400GHP and was told to put it in my tank... however, what do you mean center of my tank? I have my overflow in the center so I can't put it there... but I was going to place one on top on the side and then another on the bottom when I get the other. I just don't want a tank that'll have fish struggling to swim against a strong current. =[... It bothers me to see that... I don't think the tank looks as nice and smooth then. IMO
I believe you are confusing 'return pumps' and 'powerheads.' Powerheads simply provide more flow in the main tank. To eliminate dead spots, etc, that Meowzer highlighted. A return pump, goes in the sump and pumps from the sump, back into your tank. What I also think you're confusing is that pump you already have, I think you might be thinking that pumps water out of the main tank and into the sump. That is not the case. That center section in your main tank, that's an overflow. As the return pumps water back into the main tank, water spills into that section, and drains to the sump. There is only one pump needed.
As far as the pump you already have, we'll need to know what make/model it is, to see if it's a return pump, or a powerhead.
Go back and look at my look at the diagram I drew. The drain attaches to the larger one of the connections on the bottomside of the tank here;

The return line connects to the smaller one.
For flow, generally speaking, most marine fish are very capable swimmers, compared to their freshwater-counterparts, and in the wild, they normally experience a lot of flow from waves, tidal surges, etc. At the minimum, most people say a around 10%-15% flow rate in your tank. Flow rate percentage is calculated as the flow in tank (measured in GPH) divided by your tank size. So with a 125gal, you want a minimum of around 1800gph.
Wait and show/tell us what the pump you already have is, better ordering a new one.

 

[sparty059]

This is what I have right now:
Attachment 244963Attachment 244964
I have a powerhead that is the 1400... and then I have the pump that came with the skimmer. I was under the assumption that I needed a total of 2 pumps (one for the skimmer, and another to return the water back into my aquarium, and by that, I mean to hook on a pvc pipe that will hook onto the return pipe in my O/F).
I was told I need to get another powerhead but not as powerful, maybe like 800 or something like that, I can't remember what number they had told me. But not as powerful as the 1400.

 

[sparty059]

Originally Posted by dc2mlbsm
http:///forum/post/3293510
I believe u need a Mag Drive 9.5
Did you decide to suggest the most expensive pump because I'm new to this!? I'm going to refer you to my LFS

just kidding.

 

[flower]

Originally Posted by Sparty059
http:///forum/post/3293520
This is what I have right now:
Attachment 244963Attachment 244964
I have a powerhead that is the 1400... and then I have the pump that came with the skimmer. I was under the assumption that I needed a total of 2 pumps (one for the skimmer, and another to return the water back into my aquarium, and by that, I mean to hook on a pvc pipe that will hook onto the return pipe in my O/F).
I was told I need to get another powerhead but not as powerful, maybe like 800 or something like that, I can't remember what number they had told me. But not as powerful as the 1400.

Your skimmer comes with a pump and it attaches to it and does nothing else but makes little tiny bubbles for the skimmer to do its job. The other pump mentioned is to send water and return water from your tank to the sump. Then you need a few power heads to circulate the water and create a current. In the ocean the waves are the life and you need to duplicate that motion in the tank.
A saltwater tank may look all calm, as you watch the coral gently sway, a coral doesn’t move on its own it is swaying in the water current. Saltwater doesn’t hold oxygen well because it’s heavier and it needs the current to circulate the air from the top and push it throughout the tank.
The best power head in my opinion is the Koralia brand, it makes a wave effect instead of the jet stream of water a mag power head makes. Also it has a magnet so it stays put where you want it. A mag PH has suction cups that don’t hold because of vibration and it falls and twists out of place making sand storms, they are much cheaper for a reason.
The really nice 1400 PH you have is not the kind you need to send water to and from your sump...that is a wave making one I mentioned...you still need a utility pump for your sump, it will look more like the type on your skimmer.

 

[sparty059]

Originally Posted by Flower
http:///forum/post/3293532
The really nice 1400 PH you have is not the kind you need to send water to and from your sump...that is a wave making one I mentioned...you still need a utility pump for your sump, it will look more like the type on your skimmer.
Ok, I guess that's what I'm talking about... what power of a utility pump do I need? Is there just a general type or is there a specific one I should be getting?

 

[2quills]

Originally Posted by Sparty059
http:///forum/post/3293553
Ok, I guess that's what I'm talking about... what power of a utility pump do I need? Is there just a general type or is there a specific one I should be getting?
Yeah...get the MagDrive 9.5 or the Eheim 1262 for a return pump. Eheim is a little more expensive but it's quieter, runs cooler and has a reputation for quality. The Mags are good quality to...a little bit cheaper, sometimes have been known to have start up probs, will transfere a little more heat to the tank but all in all they are good pumps and probably one of the most popular pumps.

 

[dc2mlbsm]

Originally Posted by Sparty059
http:///forum/post/3293521
Did you decide to suggest the most expensive pump because I'm new to this!? I'm going to refer you to my LFS

just kidding.
LOL damn u caught me

... No it's not the most expensive, and I recommended it cuz you need a pump that rates at around 900-950gph and the Mag Drive 9.5 does just that

 

[meowzer]

Originally Posted by Sparty059
http:///forum/post/3293521
Did you decide to suggest the most expensive pump because I'm new to this!? I'm going to refer you to my LFS

just kidding.
LOL...They are pricey, but worth it.....I have one as I said (The mag)...IDK anything about the others...but they are supposed to be good to.....You want something that will last...and that is dependable

 

[sparty059]

Doing my leak tests on my new 20 gallon long and will be doing a leak test on my 20 tall later tonight.
AquaKnight do I HAVE TO raise my 20 tall tank? What is the benefit for this? If I raise it it will be close to an inch from the tank.

 

[2quills]

Originally Posted by Sparty059
http:///forum/post/3293608
Doing my leak tests on my new 20 gallon long and will be doing a leak test on my 20 tall later tonight.
AquaKnight do I HAVE TO raise my 20 tall tank? What is the benefit for this? If I raise it it will be close to an inch from the tank.
You may not have to...how much taller is the 20 tall compared to the 20 long? The reason for raisin one is for the plumbing to be high enough to fit over the top of the other tank in order to not have to drill both tanks and connect the plumbing.

 

[sparty059]

It looks like it's a good 3 or 4 inches higher.
Actually I think 4.

 

[2quills]

You'll probably be ok...when you get it drill for the plumbing you'll just have to install the bulkheads up high. You're going to have to try and save some room above the refugium tank to have a light. If you got a hood that came with the tank you can probably just use that for your fuge light.

 

[sparty059]

Ah darn it. I they didn't include the light for it. The person I was buying it off of the other day backed out and I ended up just buying an empty tank and only the tank. I figured I could just hang them how AquaKnight has them. Should any glass shop do the drilling or is there a specialty store or something I would have to go to?

 

[2quills]

That's ok, you can put a fuge light together for really cheap...one of those alluminum clip on lights with a 6,500k bulb will work just fine.
You'll just have to call some glass shops and see who will do it. Some local fish stores might, you can ask. I drilled my tank myself, many people do...it's not that hard, just gotta be careful and take your time.

 

[sparty059]

Yeah, I saw online how to drill, but I don't have that tool... and I'm sure it's costly. And I don't think it would be worth the money if I only use it one time.

 

[2quills]

If you already have a drill then the bit only costs about $15. Just call some glass shops...i'm sure someone around there will do it. But be-ware...they may charge you $25 a hole. That's why most opt to do it themselves.