Ideal return pump flow

Coralgurl · #1 10-12-2012, 04:15 AM

What is the ideal return pump flow? I have a mag18 and I used the RC calculator to figure out my flow and it came out to 854 gph with 9.75 feet of head pressure. My over flows can handle this no problem, just wondering what's ideal? I'm thinking of changing out the pump as its really noisy and it's not vibration, I've lifted it off the glass and it's just as loud.

gregzz4 · #2 10-12-2012, 04:29 AM

Is this on your 180g with a sump ?

Ideal flow is apparently 6.1x tank volume through your sump
This is for skimmer efficiency
I'm not sure if that is total system volume or just the DT, but I would assume it's for total gallons

Coralgurl · #3 10-12-2012, 04:39 AM

Ya, on my 180 with sump, sump has approx 45-50 gls of water. At 6.1x ideal would be 1,098 gph without sump volume but taking into consideration the lr displacement. I've read through other threads on pump recommendations so I'll be looking for a new one.

Thanks

gregzz4 · #4 10-12-2012, 04:58 AM

I gather from, the 1,098gph you're calculating, that this only based on an empty 180, which probably still wouldn't hold a true 180g
My 75g only holds 62.75g ( 61 tank and 1.75 overflow box ) after 1" of sand and maybe 65lbs of rock

If your 180 holds only 165ish gallons, and your sump is 50 ( to be generous ), you would need a flow rate of over 1300gph

Maybe someone else has a better idea ...