how much flow is too much?

the return would be in the room over from me so unless its real noisy i woudnt worry and im lookig at the iwaki now....so noise isnt really an issue on returns, let me know whats going on

 

iwakis are tried and true,very reliable...i think there are 2 different kinds like american and japanese....one is better than the other so research that before making a offer...japanese is better IIR

 

do you have any reactors to run? you could get a higher gph pump and run reactors off a manifold

 

its the japanese version of the iwaki 70rlt....and no reactors, atleast as of now

 

I also have 10X going through my sump, but its a 30 gal sump and actually wider than my DT (55 gal DT), so the velocity is not too much.

What you could do is divide the sump in 3 sections. One side for the skimmer, the other side for a 'fuge, and the middle is the return. Split the overflow piping and valve both sides so you can control the flow. Slow down the 'fuge side considerably more than the skimmer.

And I like the spray bar. I actually installed one on my 55. Much smaller scale though (only 525 GPH and 3/4" piping):

 

look up the flow chart for that pump and see if it fits your needs. i think youll be much more happy with the iwaki if the flow is right. i thinks its a 1500gph pump but i dont know what the flow is at your HH....then you could put a eductor on the return line and it would be like a 4000+gph powerhead

 

would you be able to drill a center chamber for an external return though?

 

sounds good, ill look into it

 

I don't see why not? It should not matter whether you drill closer to the side or the middle AFAIK.

 

the vibration from an external pump wouldnt be too much on the long side of the tank?