wave maker?

[segraves1]

yeah,sounds about right to me.That will bring you to a 40x turnover which is about what i use in my moderate flow LPS tank.

LMAO..in your MODERATE FLOW LPS TANK? How much do you consider a "high flow tank"?

[dakar]

LMAO..in your MODERATE FLOW LPS TANK? How much do you consider a "high flow tank"?

High flow can only be obtained through the use of a jet turbine engine driving a 21 pitch propeller :D

[segraves1]

High flow can only be obtained through the use of a jet turbine engine driving a 21 pitch propeller :D

LMFAO......


I keep reading everyone saying "Seio pumps are the best".......but all I can find for Seio pumps are in tank circulation pumps (though there is a 2600gph pump....).....is this what everyone is using?

I'm looking for a really good return pump (or pumps) for my 150gal.....what do I use?

[davejnz]

I wouldn't say that SEIOS are the best,they're just affordable.I think the $$$ Tunze pumps probably are considered the best in-tank pumps/powerheads.
As for your return/flow rates for the tank,Dont worry about the "x"turnover rate.Depending on the footprint of the 150,10 outputs/sources for water movement might be enough.I'd go with a MAG 18 or QO6000(affordable pumps)for a "really good"one,the Japanese Iwakis are considered one of the best.Look for something thats gonna do 1200ish@4-5'head.Split the sump return into 2-1"-600gph outputs/returns.Then I'd buy an external pump to use for a closed loop return manifold.Something about 3000gph after plumbing restriction/head loss.You could plumb 8 outputs on the return manifold,each flowing about 365gph.That would give you 10 outputs,each of which will be capable of moveing alot of water at low velocity.

[dakar]

David hit it right on the head.... the Seio pumps are cost effective, they move huge amounts of water and so far they have proven themselves to be reliable for constant running. The initial investment is easier on the wallet, if they were to need replacing every few years I think I'd come out ahead. As far as I know the M2600 is currently the largest powerhead on the market for water movement.

Tunze would fall into more of a premium setup, but you are looking at some substantial cash for them, but the controllers and such allow some pretty cool effects.

[segraves1]

ok....so tell me if I'm understanding this.......

a 1200gph return pump from the sump, split off to 2 returns in the tank (2 inputs)....(or I guess I could just use 2, 600gphs...1 on each return....and then I have "backup" if one pump dies while I'm out of town the other keeps running)

a 3000gph external pump (or 2 1500gphs) just cycling water out and then back into the pump through 8-10 inputs.....

if need be, some intank pumps to move extra water around

[davejnz]

Read this thread on my 75,i have a closed loop with return manifold.You have 2-1.5" bulkheads as feeds/intakes to the closed loop pump.Then on the return of the pump,you plumb a return manifold which has 8 outputs(T fittings).
edit-that pic was way too dark in the thread,i brightened it up a bit so you can see the basics of a return manifold.
http://www.captivereefing.com/showthread.php?t=973

[davejnz]

Seagraves,disregard the QO6000,its not strong enough(800gph with 1" pipe) even with 1.5" plumbing(1000gph).The MAG18 only does 948gph at 4' head from the sump,useing 1" pipe and dual outputs(you plumb up to the top of the tank,install a T fitting,then plumb over to the corners.From the corners,use elbow fittings to go inside the tank,then elbows to go down into the water.Once the outputs are in the water,you can use 45's as nozzles and can swivel them if you don't glue them).When i ran the pump #'s,I used this style of plumbing arrangement(4-elbows,1-T,4-45's,and 4' of vertical head from sump)to come up with the total head loss/flow rate.If you use 1.25" pipe,your flow jumps from 948gph to 1168gph.With 1.5",your up to 1236.64gph isn't enough of an improvement to validate useing the larger,bulky 1.5" pipe.

[segraves1]

so you guys are all using "in tank" type pumps (submersible pumps)? why those vs. external pumps?

I had been looking at using something like the TurboSea 1090 or equivalent.......my thought process says external pumps would have higher flow and last longer due to their design being based on industrial pumps (but I could be entirely wrong in this case)......

what’s the best way to go and why?

[davejnz]

I've seen submersible pumps 8yrs old and still running strong.The Japanese Iwaki's external pumps are known to give many years of service too.I think the biggest reason why most use submersible,magnetic driven pumps is there efficiency and they're much more affordable than externals.