2 pumps or 1?

Hello, I am setting up my sump for my new 125 tank... and I can't decide if 2 Danner 9.5 submersible pumps or 1 Iwaki 40 rxlt external pump would be better??? I've heard the danners would create more heat, but the Iwaki might be louder... Oh yea I should tell ya this is my first sump setup.. Thanks in advance for any info.

 

I'm only using 1 mag 9 for my 120.

 

But does the mag 9 give you enough water flow and turn over rate?

 

It is advisable to not use your return pump to provide flow in the DT. 8x to 10X the volume of your SUMP is the recommended flow rate at head for a return pump. This allows your skimmer and filtration equipment to be closer to their peak efficiency. Closed loops and circulation pumps are far more efficient for flow in the DT with circulation pumps being the most efficient of the group.

 

Pump alternatives

I have a 125 with a 30 gal sump. I have a Little Giant 4 MDQX-SC that has been in use for over 13 years with NO maintenance. It is an external pump that is plumbed by a bulkhead fitting through the side glass of the sump. It is very quiet pump that introduces no heat and induces no electrical currents into the system. Appropriately placed ball valves can isolate the pump, sump, or tank as needed for maintenance/repairs/cleaning. At 6ft of head it pumps 1080gph which gives approximately 8 complete water exchanges per hour. They cost about $200 on line.

 

I have that pump running as the main return pump on our 100 gal system, and it's a nice pump, altho not the quietest I've run (the 3 MDQX-SC that is on our 60 gal is MUCH more quiet than the "4"). Great reliability tho.

On that same 100 gal, I'm running the Iwaki in question as a closed-loop pump, and I can't even hear it. It has an internal fan that some say makes some noise, but as I said, I can't hear it, and the fan keeps the pump cool.

If you go for a submersible pump, I really like the Sicce Syncra Silent (you'll likely want the 5.0) or an Eheim 1262. Both are pretty silent and reliable. I use the smaller Sicces on all of our AIO setups.