Too Much GPH?

[kybreos]

Hi Everyone,

I haven't set my tank up yet.. 125gallon 72*18*22 aga.
But I am slowly aquiring the equipment that i need. My question is that I have purchased a Mag Drive 2400 GPH Pump made by Supreme. And I am wondering if this is too strong of a pump for my tank. The sump is a 30 gallon long tank and the main tank has dual overflows. The tank is made by All-glass and is the twin-flo version. I plan on having at least 4 return jets maybe up to 8. Each overflow having 4 out flows- 2 on the top and 2 on the bottom. So what do you all think i should do? return the pump for a lower gph say 1800gph one or keep this one.

 

[ChrisRD]

Hey Kybreos,

Keep in mind that considering friction losses and gravity head, you won't be anywhere near 2400 GPH of actual net flow. Also, IMO Mag pumps' flow rates are overstated. IIRC those AGA overflows can handle about 600-700 GPH each.

Personally I think you'll be OK, but without a plumbing diagram it's hard to estimate your losses. Since you should be planning on unions/valves at the input/output of the pump anyway (to remove it for maintenance, etc.) you can always valve it back if it's too much.

OTOH, a Mag 18 would probably provide enough flow and it uses a LOT less energy. Check out the Pump Selection Guide in our library. There's a spreadsheet there you can download and use to estimate what your net flow will be.

Personally, I would use a regular external pump like a Blueline, Iwaki, Mak4, etc. but that's just a personal preference thing...

HTH

 

[Len]

A Mag 2400 is not too strong for your tank. The maximum output is 2400 gph, but after it makes its way up to your tank, it'll be significantly less. Just make sure you don't point the output directly at corals. Lots of GPH is a good thing, but very high velocity is not. The idea is to move as much water as you can as slowly as you can. One way to do this is to split the flow to multiple outputs, effectively splitting the flow rate between them all as opposed to having one really powerful output.

 

[Len]

Man, Chris beat me to the punch

 

[ChrisRD]

For a change...

Usually you (or Shane, the other post sniper) do that to me

 

[kybreos]

Thanks for the advice, im going to check out that chart.
Im going to try the system with the mag if it doesnt work out i'll trysomething different but atleast i'll have a backup pump lol.

 

[ChrisRD]

After a few years in this hobby you'll have lots of "backup" stuff...

 

[chefer]

I am relatively new to the hobby but recently just set up the same exact sump size and tank size. I have a cpr 1400 gph siphon overflow with a little giant 1000gph at 0 head spliting into 2 returns on both sides of the tank with 2 directional outflows to reduce a strong current. I have ball valves on both the siphon overflow and the return lines to make the ajustment and it seems to work just fine. It has only been set up for a week now and is running great. I could probalbly go up in size a little on the return as I have the siphon overflows not fully open but I prefer it this way as there is less noise comming from the overflow and youll be surprised how much water flow is moving. Hope this helps.
chefer.