MAG 18 too big ???

[jayhawk316]

hi. i need a return pump for my sump (located under the tank, 120g RR AGA ) and am unsure what to buy. im going to T it off and have 2 returns on each side of the tank, 4 total. i widened the teeth in the top of my overflow to allow for more flow. i want alot of flow. need an insump pump and just dont want one that my overflows cant keep up with. thanks in advance.

kert

 

[Will C1]

it all depends what your overflow can handle. you should contact the manufacturer (im shure they have a web site) and find out what it is and buy the appropriate sized one.

 

[jayhawk316]

hmmmm, so say my over flows do 900 gph, im assuming thats for each one 1800 gph total, should i take into account head loss when buying a pump? example: MAG 18, 1800gph, with head loss and a T fitting probably around 1400gph, so my overflows should be fine. am i thinking this right or is there something im missing? thanks


kert

 

[coryc]

I believe you are on the right track, but I thought that tank had 1" bulkheads for the overflows. If so the flow would be reduced to 700GPH per overflow.

Cory

 

[jayhawk316]

yes it does have 1" bulkheads. is that what determines the gph? i thought that widening the teeth on the overflow is what would increase the flow. so at 1400 gph does a MAG 18 sound like a good pump?


kert

 

[Will C1]

i use mags for my returns they are doing gret year after year, but i only use mag 8 or 9's but if ya need the flow go for it.

 

[coryc]

The teeth will restrict flow, but it's my understanding the 1" bulkheads will only handle 700 GPH in this situation. You might verify this with AGA.

The MAG1800 will still do the job, but you may have to throttle it back a bit with a ball valve. You might want to check out this article if you haven't already: http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2003/featurejp.htm

Cory

 

[Anonymous]

I use a mag 18 on my 125 AGA. I have only one return on each side and the flow seems to be perfect. Now if you have two returns on each side you will lose more to friction and piping turns.

 

[LA-Lawman]

I have phoned AGA on this issue. I have a 90g RR AGA.

You need to widen the teeth on the O/F. the bulkhead will only handle approx 700gph. I have a Durso on mine and can only get about 600gph out of it....

HTH

The AGA overflow is only rated at 550gph. you will need to use a custom standpipe to increase the flow. the float that they give you is desgined with that flowrate in mind...

The AGA engineer i spoke to said he is getting 1400gph out of his two O/F's

hth

-ben

 

[wickerj]

I use a mag 18 on my 58 gallon with dual lifereef overflows and it works great. My sump is located about 3'-4' away in a closet so I have a little more head loss than you but I use 1" flex tubing instead of the 3/4. I'd recomend you use 1" and install a gate valve right after the pump so you can slow it down in you need to.

Jeff