return pump for my system
 

I just ordered up a new tank from golds (much to my wifes dismay). The tank is going to be approx 96 gal in a cube type shape. I am planning on a 25-33 gal sump and am not sure on the return pump i want to use. Would prefer to have an inline setup but might have to go in sump, so am looking at something that doesnt get too warm. Anyone have any suggestions out there?

I think for to run skimmers, heaters, etc. in your sump you only need about 5-7x turnover per hour for the sump. So for 96g + 20g (estimating water vol for sump) - 10% (for live rock etc.) you'd want probably about 104*6 (we'll just say "6" times turnover since that's the average of 5 and 7) = ~625 gals/hour at about 5' head (guesstimating the average head pressure for a sump return line).

Playing around with RC's head loss calculator and assuming 3 90 degree elbows, 2 45's for good measure, 1" piping, 5' vertical and 0.1 horizontal, I get 684 gallons per hour out of a Mag9. A Mag7 gave me 401 gallons per hour. So ... all said and done I think if I was looking for a submersible pump for that setup, I'd look at a Mag9.

RC's head loss calculator: http://reefcentral.com/calc/hlc2.php

Unfortunately they don't list all pumps, just a lot of common ones.

Another submersible you can look at is the Rio Hyperflow, I have one on my 30x30x20 cube, it seems to do the trick pretty well. I forget which model now. The 26HF I think?

good pump summary http://www.reefs.org/library/pumps/

right on- thanks guys- i have been tinkering with rc's head loss calc and was wondering on size and perhaps some first hand exp of pumps. Good stuff to know

Consider the Eheim 1260 or 1262.

Here's their headloss chart:

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...nformation.asp

More $$$ than Mags but the Eheims use a less electricity, produce a lot less heat and can be run internally or externally. Plus they are dead silent and have a bullet-proof reputation.