200 DD Design Questions

btkrausen · Apr 3, 2011

Currently doing my build in another thread, and wanted to run these ideas by you guys to see what you think.

Currently, I have a MAG 9.5, do you think this is enough turnover for a 200? Would you think I would be better off with like a Water Blaster 7000?

For the tank, I've read that the overflows aren't sufficient to run a lot of water for turnover. Do you think it would be ok to run 1 out of 4 1 inch holes for a return, and then run 3 out of 4 of the 1 inch holes for returns?

Thoughts?

jrm03 · Apr 3, 2011

Run all 4 as drains, possibly 1 or 2 as back up with sea swirls for returns?

barbianj · Apr 3, 2011

Do you think it would be ok to run 1 out of 4 1 inch holes for a return, and then run 3 out of 4 of the 1 inch holes for drains?

If you use 1-1/2" return line up to the tank, a Mag 9 should be enough. Two 1" drains would be sufficient.

btkrausen · Apr 3, 2011

Thanks. The Mag 9.5 has 3/4 inch outlet, but I wanted to get a pump with 1 inch outlet to use this molded pvc manifold I was gonna get. If the Mag 9 is enough then I'll just plumb the manifold part as 1 inch, with the rest as 3/4 inch to keep pressure to the tank.

This tank will be a fish only for now as well...not sure if that makes much a difference.

barbianj · Apr 3, 2011

btkrausen said:
Thanks. The Mag 9.5 has 3/4 inch outlet, but I wanted to get a pump with 1 inch outlet to use this molded pvc manifold I was gonna get. If the Mag 9 is enough then I'll just plumb the manifold part as 1 inch, with the rest as 3/4 inch to keep pressure to the tank.

This tank will be a fish only for now as well...not sure if that makes much a difference.

Nope, nope, nope, plumb 1-1/2" from the pump to the tank. http://www.reeflopumps.com/images/tips.pdf Look at the friction loss chart on the right. Look at the difference in friction from a 3/4" pipe to a 1-1/2" pipe. That will slow your return rate down dramatically. It doesn't matter what the outlet of the pump is.