Overflow and pump

[jag3365]

I am looking at getting an overflow, preferrably lifereef suggested by many here. Ok so it's rated at 700 gph, so should I get like a mag 9.5, which is rated at 800 gph at 4 feet. So would this be a good set-up for overflow and return from sump?
Thanks for your input. Also why don't people like RIO that much?

 

[finland]

A mag 9 would be fine. You may want to add a ball valve on the return line tone down the return, just in case it is too much for the overflow. It should be ok though. Rio pumps sometimes don't seem to hold up as well as others. I have no experience with them, but that is what I have read. I use a mag pump and am really happy with it.

 

[acez28]

i use my RIO to mix my saltwater. They stop when they want to. I have to open the lid on my saltwater everyday to make sure the &@##* thing is still working. I use one on my skimmer too. If i unplug it to clean the skimmer i have to take the whole damn RIO pump apart to start it back up. Mags are much much better.

 

[broomer5]

Jag3365
What size tank and sump do you have ?
Good choice on the Lifereef overflow btw

 

[jag3365]

I will be getting a 125, non rr tank, and I am not sure on the sump size. Any suggestions for both a sump and fuge?
But is that pretty much correct, you need enough gph from the pump to counteract the overflow box....and just make sure it's rated at a higher pressure for a few feet of hose? Thanks again.

 

[stumpdog]

Jag- I too went with a LifeReef overflow and Mag pump. You could hop over to the Equipment section and find a lot of information about Sump designs and DIY projects or just do a search from here.HTH
Jeremy

 

[broomer5]

Jag3365
We always want to make sure the return pump will not pump more water up to the tank - than the overflow is capable of safely handling. If it does - the display tank may overflow the rim.
A 125 gallon tank is a pretty big tank.
If I were in your shoes, I would be looking at the Lifereef Dual Overflow and a much higher capacity return pump.
A 700 gph rated overflow will work in a 125 - but it's sort of small by most peoples standards.
Where as a dual will allow you to run up to 1400 gallons per hour - about 11 turns per hours - which is a great water turnover for most any marine tank.
Using the single overflow at only 700 gph, would put your down around 5 to 6 turns per hour. Still acceptable - but you'll need powerheads for sure.
I only have a 75 gallon tank, and run the Lifereef dual overflow on it - with a Mag 9.5 and a Mag 7 together.
Guess it's up to you - but you may want to explore using a larger oveflow and pump combo.
Especially if you're going to steal some of the waterflow for a refugium.

 

[jag3365]

Alright so I could upgrade to the 1400 gph model. and then put two seperate pumps in the sump right? Then have a T line with a ball valve to the fuge on one of the returns.
Another question I had since you;re offering so much info, what do I do with the lines when they come back from the pump. A MAG 9.5 at 4 feet is rated for 800 gph...what's a good way to get it back in? I will be getting 3 Maxi-Jet 900 Powerheads, only rated at 230 gph. Do I just split off the hose to the three powerheads?
Sorry if that seems a little nieve.

 

[broomer5]

Jag3365
The powerheads are separate components. They are not plumbed into a returnline from your return pump(s) in the sump.
Powerheads mount in the tank - normally stuck on the glass - and just suck tankwater in and shoot it back out.
To get the sumpwater back up to the display tank, many people will either run flexible tubing ( 3/4" in your case ) or hard pvc piping.
You run this line up behind the tank, back to the top of the display tank.
From there - you have a ton of choices to actually mount the end of the return line to your tank.
The easiest is to buy a directional return spout. My LFS sells them. I think most wet/dry manufacturers sell them as accessories to their filter systems.
The ones I've seen, and use on my 30 gallon tank, are black plastic. They have a barbed end fitting that the return line tubing slides over, then you use a hose clamp to tighten it down.
It's sort of a U shaped deal - that hangs on the rim of the tank, and has an adjustable flared out housing with a couple small louver things. You can turn it in different directions, and move the louvers to get the desired flow direction. They are pretty cheap - but work fine.
A lot of folks will make a DIY spraybar of some form. PVC piping and either single or multiple outlets.
Very inexpensive, easy to fab up at home, if you don't like it, toss it and make another one. Home Depot or Lowes or any decent home improvement store has most all the parts.
Best way, but most expensive is to go with something like a Sea Swirl or Tunze returnline product. These things rotate and shoot the water back into the tank - providing for excellent random water circulation patterns.
They are relatively expensive compared to other means - but they are awesome.
You powerheads then are mounted in the tank - and do what they do - independent of the sump/returnpump/returnline, spraybar/overflow system.

 

[jag3365]

Thanks for clearing that up, huge light bulb went on in my head. I understand now. I have seen those little adapters for the nozzle and I know what you meana bout making my own spray bar....man I can do more DIY stuff with this hobby than I've ever done before...this is great!