return pump recommendations for 36g

Privitor · 04-03-2008, 11:52 PM

can some one recommend a good return pump?

i have a 36g tank and a 10g sump with 3.5' water travel.

i was thinking if getting a Danner Model 3 Mag-Drive Pump (350 gph) off eBay ((click ebay for link))
i know i need a minimum of 180gph and this one says its 350 and i think that would be perfect...

any thoughts??

**Phurst** · 04-04-2008, 12:02 AM

I think that would do fine. Mags tend to run a little hot though. You could spend a little more and get anice Eheim 1250.

PhotoJohn · 04-04-2008, 01:34 AM

or you could get a small out of tank pump

rroselavy · 04-04-2008, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phurst

I think that would do fine. Mags tend to run a little hot though. You could spend a little more and get anice Eheim 1250.

+1

I've got a Eheim 1250 pump on my skimmer, and a Eheim 1260 as a return that came with my Elos tank. Solid build, easy to dissassemble/clean, quiet and relatively low wattage. Can be installed in or out of the sump.

Privitor · 04-08-2008, 02:25 AM

OK
so i didnt some reaserch and i think im going to get the Eheim 1250 it says it can be internal or external...
but i was wondering if i should use this inside or outside the sump?

also if i use in in the sump, the pump is 7.1"L x 3.8"W. so how big should the chamber be that it might set in?

**Phurst** · 04-08-2008, 09:20 AM

I prefer internal personaly, just for ease of setup, and since i had a bad experience mounting a Mag pump externaly. In a 10 gal sump, I'm thinking you're going to want to give it a decent sized section of the sump. What kind of layout are you thinking about doing? Is it going to be just a sump, or a sump/fuge? What other equipment do you need to fit in there?

rroselavy · 04-08-2008, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Privitor

OK
so i didnt some reaserch and i think im going to get the Eheim 1250 it says it can be internal or external...
but i was wondering if i should use this inside or outside the sump?

also if i use in in the sump, the pump is 7.1"L x 3.8"W. so how big should the chamber be that it might set in?

The Eheim 1250 comes with barbed fittings that screw into the intake(end) and the outlet (top). Alternatively, the intake can be covered with a supplied grill that snaps onto the end. The grill allows water to enter from the top, sides and bottom, but is closed at the end. The pump also has thick plastic mounting flanges that stick out the sides at is base, which also affect the overall dimensions.

So, with the grill (without the intake fitting) I would estimate that the pump could fit into a space as small as 6" x 4" (lets say 5"x7" just to be safe). However, your return section of the sump needs to be big enough to accommodate the backflow when you turn the pump off.

Melev's site is a pretty good primer on Sump design.

I do not have a closed loop on my tank, or any other reason to use the 1250 externally - but I like the idea of having a return pump in my sump in case a leak should develop at the fittings. I use silicone tubing and secure it with zip ties at the barbed fittings just in case.

HTH

rroselavy · 04-08-2008, 02:22 PM

The 1250 (317 gph) has a head pressure rating of 6'7". If your plumbing rises 3.5+ feet, the output of the pump is reduced to nearly 200gph. You may want to splurge for the 1260 which would get you more like 450gph at a 3.5 foot head. Not sure...perhaps others can chime in here...

**CarmieJo** · 04-12-2008, 06:18 PM

Head loss always must be taken into account. Most manufacturers have charts on their website to help.

rroselavy · 04-13-2008, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CarmieJo

Head loss always must be taken into account. Most manufacturers have charts on their website to help.

My numbers were based on the Eheim 1250 and 1260 charts.

Privitor · 04-13-2008, 12:30 AM

correct me if im wrong but dont you need to go for at least 4-5x the gallon right?
it woul give me 180gph so even with the head loss the i would need AT LEAST a 200gph! which would be right at what i would get doing 5x with the 1250.
or maybe i would double it with the 1260??

what would be better? mores always better right??

**Phurst** · 04-13-2008, 01:25 AM

Just as long as your return can handle whatever flow you pump to the tank. You can always increase flow IN the tank with powerheads.

**CarmieJo** · 04-13-2008, 01:33 AM

It is desirable to not have all of your tank turn over through your sump. For instance I am in the 20x vicinity but only about 10x is through the sump, the rest is from my Koralias. What is the head loss? For instance in my 54 the pump has to move water up about 4' and through a 90*~ bend before it gets back into the tank.