Pumps

[jag3365]

Anyone got an idea of what pumps I should get for my tank. I am getting a dual lifereef overflow, 1400 gph. So I was thinking a Mag 9.5 and Mag 7...this would give me enough pressure at about 3-4 feet. Also there will be a t line back to a fuge. thanks for any advice and help. It's for a 125 gal tank.

 

[stumpdog]

Jag-
I think that is what I rember one of the sharks having for their double overflow. What if you just decided to go with a little extra and get 2 Mag9.5s?
Jeremy

 

[jag3365]

Sounds good to me, I was thinking about that. So I could get a ball valve or someting to even out the return flow back to the tank irght? I am sure the t line to the fuge would help alieviate some of the pressure.

 

[broomer5]

Jag3365
I run a Mag7 & Mag9.5 on my 75 glass tank, along with the dual Lifereef-1400gph
I tee off of both returnlines to feed my refugium.
It's worked great for well over a 1-1/2 years now.
You've got a larger tank than mine, so the tankwater level rising up and spilling over the inner box teeth will not be as high as mine.
You may be able to get away with using 2 Mag9.5's, if you tee off of them to feed your refugium.

 

[jag3365]

You know that's a good question...I think a second pump would be a good back up right?
And Broomer I have looking at your site a lot lately. I found the article for putting together your fuge and sump, and I'd like to use that as a bluprint, it seems like it would work perfectly. Anyways I hope you wouldn't mind me asking a couple of questions when I get the parts ready for construction.
So if I have a 1400 gph overflow....what's the minimum gph pump I should get? Saying 3-4' of plumbing. Would 1 pump be better than 2?

 

[broomer5]

Jag3365
You're welcome to ask any questions you have
I don't disagree with tangsfornuttin regarding one pump being more efficient than two.
I chose to use two pumps for specific reasons.
One reason as you mentioned Jag, I have a back up.
The chances of both pumps failing or not starting up at the same time are less.
Second reason - I run the 9.5 all the time, and have a timer kick on the 7 now and then to stir things up a little more.
It's not a wavemaker by any means - just some random changes in water movement was what I wanted.
And no powerheads in the tank either - I don't like seeing them, and I don't like maintaining them.
If I want a different flow pattern - I reach in and turn the flexible nozzles on the spraybars.
Not very sophisticated - but works okay. I rarely do this unless I add a new coral specimen.
If you go with two pumps Jag, I wouldn't drop down below 500 gph on the dual Lifereef. Flowrates less than that may allow some bubble formation in the U tubes.
Bubbles accumulate and in the top curve of the U tube(s) and if allowed to grow too large - the air gap can cause loss of siphon.
I've run the tank with the Mag7 only while doing pump maintenance on the 9.5, and it works okay.
But I wouldn't run it with the Mag7 only for long periods of time.
Just not enough tankwater circulation for my tastes.