Too big of return pump?

cvrle1 · 05/14/2019, 10:43 AM

Currently undergoing planning for all equipment hat I want to get once I start with setting up my 120G tank, and have a question on return pumps.

Tank is 120G with most likely 40B as sump. Plan on having 5X turnaround, so looking at 600GPH. Sump will be below the tank in the cabinet, so I dont have to deal with too much head pressure. I am thinking about 4ft absolute max, and even that's more than it really will be.

Was looking at few different pumps, but not sure if they are overkill:

Jebao
DCP10000
DCP13000
DCQ10000

All of these will give me about 1500GPH, which is clearly a lot. I was thinking about using manifold at some time as well, so I will need a bit more flow for that. I can throttle down the return on the pump via gate valve, but not sure if that is best way of going about it.

With all this in mind, should I be thinking about one of these pumps, or should I get lower powered model like DCP5000, which would give me around 800 GPH.

Thanks

ryeguyy84 · 05/14/2019, 11:22 AM

All of the pumps that you mentioned are controllable DC pumps so there's no need for a gate valve just turn the pump down. I use a dcp6500 on my 90 gallon running around 40% so you could probably get away with the 8000

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

smatter · 05/14/2019, 02:44 PM

I like good ole AC pumps for returns personally. No power supply or controller to fail. Take a look at the Sicce 3.5.

cvrle1 · 05/14/2019, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smatter

I like good ole AC pumps for returns personally. No power supply or controller to fail. Take a look at the Sicce 3.5.

I was actually thinking about Sicce 5 as well. I know there are people on both sides of argument (AC vs DC) that will say one is better than the other, so still not 100% decided which way to go either.

billdogg · 05/14/2019, 03:10 PM

I use a eheim 1262 for my DT - like yours, a 120 with 40 sump. I find it to be just about perfect.

cvrle1 · 05/14/2019, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billdogg

I use a eheim 1262 for my DT - like yours, a 120 with 40 sump. I find it to be just about perfect.

Thanks for the reminder about Eheim. When I started looking into pumps a bit ago, I did have 1262 on my list of potential pumps, but completely forgot about it.

Sharpimage · 05/14/2019, 04:56 PM

I run a dct 8000 on a similar tank. At about 40% and a run a scrubber off a manifold as well.

billdogg · 05/14/2019, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cvrle1

Thanks for the reminder about Eheim. When I started looking into pumps a bit ago, I did have 1262 on my list of potential pumps, but completely forgot about it.

IMHO the best thing about the 1262 is it’s unbeatable track record. I have one that has been in continuous use since I got it in 1988. Before that it was used at my old LFS for their feeder goldfish tank. It will be the last pump you will need to buy in that flow range.

cvrle1 · 05/14/2019, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billdogg

IMHO the best thing about the 1262 is it’s unbeatable track record. I have one that has been in continuous use since I got it in 1988. Before that it was used at my old LFS for their feeder goldfish tank. It will be the last pump you will need to buy in that flow range.

Yeah I heard they are bulletproof. I guess you have it throttled down via gate valve/ball valve on your return line?

cvrle1 · 05/15/2019, 12:39 PM

Is there a "rule of thumb" when it comes to amount of pressure loss in regards to plumbing? For example, someone mentioned that I should add 2 more feet to my total of 4, and use 6 feet as total head loss.

Not sure if this really true, as there are many different ways of running return plumbing, so that would make a difference as well.

I am guessing this would be good calculator to use: http://www.reefcentral.com/index.php...oss-calculator (too bad list of pumps is really outdated)

05/14/2019, 10:43 AM	#1
cvrle1 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Surrey, BC Posts: 454	Too big of return pump? Currently undergoing planning for all equipment hat I want to get once I start with setting up my 120G tank, and have a question on return pumps. Tank is 120G with most likely 40B as sump. Plan on having 5X turnaround, so looking at 600GPH. Sump will be below the tank in the cabinet, so I dont have to deal with too much head pressure. I am thinking about 4ft absolute max, and even that's more than it really will be. Was looking at few different pumps, but not sure if they are overkill: Jebao DCP10000 DCP13000 DCQ10000 All of these will give me about 1500GPH, which is clearly a lot. I was thinking about using manifold at some time as well, so I will need a bit more flow for that. I can throttle down the return on the pump via gate valve, but not sure if that is best way of going about it. With all this in mind, should I be thinking about one of these pumps, or should I get lower powered model like DCP5000, which would give me around 800 GPH. Thanks

05/14/2019, 11:22 AM	#2
ryeguyy84 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,753	All of the pumps that you mentioned are controllable DC pumps so there's no need for a gate valve just turn the pump down. I use a dcp6500 on my 90 gallon running around 40% so you could probably get away with the 8000 Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk __________________ Current tank: 90G mixed reef. Current Tank Info: 90 gallon

05/14/2019, 03:10 PM	#5
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I use a eheim 1262 for my DT - like yours, a 120 with 40 sump. I find it to be just about perfect. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

05/14/2019, 02:44 PM	#3
smatter Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 2,055	I like good ole AC pumps for returns personally. No power supply or controller to fail. Take a look at the Sicce 3.5.

05/14/2019, 04:56 PM	#7
Sharpimage Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 324	I run a dct 8000 on a similar tank. At about 40% and a run a scrubber off a manifold as well.

05/15/2019, 12:39 PM	#10
cvrle1 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Surrey, BC Posts: 454	Is there a "rule of thumb" when it comes to amount of pressure loss in regards to plumbing? For example, someone mentioned that I should add 2 more feet to my total of 4, and use 6 feet as total head loss. Not sure if this really true, as there are many different ways of running return plumbing, so that would make a difference as well. I am guessing this would be good calculator to use: http://www.reefcentral.com/index.php...oss-calculator (too bad list of pumps is really outdated)