[saltylee]

i have just ordered a 100 gallon from the lfs. the tank will have a 1 1/2" bulkhead for the overflow and a 1" bulkhead for the return. my question is, how much flow can a 1 1/2" line handle? the return pump i have been looking at is the mag-drive 18 which with 4-5' of overhead puts out about 1200-1400 gph. secondly, my sump will be an old 55 gallon. the mag 18 can be used externally, doese my sump have to be drilled or can the pump pull the water over the side of the tank and then push it up the return line? the pump can also work in the sump, but i want to run it externally for heat reasons. i am trying to get out of needing a chiller. my house stays around 76 degrees in the heat of the summer.

my next problem is lighting. i am going to use an icecap retro-fit kit. at first i am going to install three 60" 80w t5's. later after the tank is cyled and i have more $$ i'll add four more. the add claims that the icecap ballasts "overdrives" each bulb to 100w. i don't really know about all that. i have no idea what bulbs i need either. is this enough light? i want to be able to keep most anything. the tank is 60"x20"x20" i think. will seven t5's do it?

[ksreefbuilder]

Ok, the mag drive 18 is an awesome pump and does have tons of pressure, but does have to be cut back to keep in line with the overflow rate. I tried over and over to use the mag 18 because I loved it, but it just has too much power without dual overflows. The mag drive 12 will work fine though, that is what I use now. The mag 18 is just too much of a pump. I tried it my self, and it just pumps way to fast, without putting a ball valve on it, and then that leads to problems. If you cut the flow back the pump will only last about 6 months before burning up. Also as far as heat issues you can put the mag pumps in your sump if you want, the heat transfer is the same with mag drive pumps weather submerged or external. I tried that also.

[saltylee]

well the tank is still at the manufacturer being drilled it isn't supposed to ship for two weeks, i could still have them put another overflow. do you think two 1 1/2 inch would do it.

[ksreefbuilder]

It would be close, but it should work great with double overflows. You would be a lot closer anyway, you get around 600gph on each overflow, and with the 4-5 head it will have to pump it should be fine.

[saltylee]

i called the lfs today and had them change the 1.5" overflow to a 2" i think that should be adequate for 1500-2000 gph.