[coopdogyo]

i am asking what is the best return pump for and aquarium that has a 600gph overflow with 4 feet from sump to return.

[jimw369]

Originally Posted by coopdogyo

i am asking what is the best return pump for and aquarium that has a 600gph overflow with 4 feet from sump to return.

Most bang for the buck IMO would be the mag 9.5 or mag 12. If you want the best pump... well that starts all kinds of discussions and opens your wallet more. Id say my dream pump for my 90 gal is Iwaki 55 RLT. Around $300

[pogodzib]

A Mag 12 would be too powerful. The best option if you have the space and can drill your sump would be an external pump, but usually for that type of flow rate people like to stick to in-sump pump. For an in-sump pump, I like Mag pumps for their reliability, but they do put off more heat than other brands of pumps. If heat is not an issue, go with a Mag 7 or 9.5. A Mag 7 may be a touch small or the Mag 9.5 may need to be valved back a little, but either one will work good. If heat is an issue for you, you may want to try a different brand. For the cost, Quiet One 4000 pumps are good, but some people have had problems with the pump not restarting after a power outage. I've never had that problem, but if you only have one return pump, you want to make sure you have a reliable pump, hence the reason why I, and probably Jim, recommend Mag pumps.

[coopdogyo]

i think i will do a 9.5 with it valved back how would i do that and how would i make sure it was at 600gph at 4 feet.

[pogodzib]

You can buy a threaded ball valve and connect it on your return line between the pump output and tank using a hose barb/ threaded fittings. As long as you don't push more water than your overflow can handle (600 gph) from your sump to the tank, the overflow will flow at the same rate as your pump. If your pump pushes too much water up to the tank and your overflow can't keep up, the tank would overflow so that means that you'd have to throttle back the pump some more. There are head loss calculators all over the web so you can compute your head loss is you want to.

BTW - I forgot to mention that Eheim pumps are good as well, but they cost more.

[Krazy]

Mag 12 is way to much for a 600gph overflow, the mag 9.5 will even be a bit much unlesss throttled back some.

a mag 7 would be perfect, especially if your using a single return.

[coopdogyo]

a mag 7 olny gives me 465 gph at 4 feet.

[jimw369]

Originally Posted by coopdogyo

a mag 7 olny gives me 465 gph at 4 feet.

I have 3 pumps Ive used T4 velocity, mag 7, mag 12. Velocity is way under what it is rated and the mag 12 runs my overflow to the max and my tank supposedly has a 600 gal overflow. I dont think the pumps I have run at the GPH they say they do. But you are right if you have to error its best to be on the slow gph end.

I can get a mag 7 for $55 bucks right now! WOW!

[coopdogyo]

i think i will go with a mag 7 but with 2 koriala 4's to make up. olny problem the outlet for a mag 7 is 1/2 and inch and my overflow is 1 inch

[gimmito]

I have a 9.5 on my 75 with a couple of tee's. One goes back into the sump and the other into the fuge for flow.

Here's a pic.

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/j...ito/TX5057.jpg

I used 3/4" pvc, but you can put a bushing for a 1" pvc for better flow.

Don't forget to put a union so you can take your pump out for maintanence !