Just pump it

I just picked up a chiller this weekend for the tank and the LFS let me use a 1/5HP until the 1/3 hp came in the store (reefsparky beat me to the chiller at the LFS lol). I want to run the chiller through the main return line for the purpose of it will have a better location for ventilation if I do it that way. I currently have a coralife 790 external for the return. I have been thinking that it’s not strong enough for a return pump lately anyway. I wanted to replace it with an external pump that would be strong enough to account for the head pressure of the chiller as well as the head pressure that it takes to get the water to the main tank. Possibly even run the protein skimmer as well if possible. I enjoy the silence of the coralife pump that I currently have though.

I was wondering if anyone might have any suggestions of a good pump to look into

 

Look into some of these;
Dolphin Aqua Sea
Reeflo
PanWorld


Luna

 

Thanks Luna, how do i decide how many GPH i will need?

 

You really need to do your homework on this one. You must take into account the following;

1. How many feet of pvc/hose you have? In total. That means return line, skimmer, chiller etc etc.
2. Every 45 & 90 elbow equals to 1' of head.
3. How many gph does your skimmer need to work properly.


Luna

 

so at this point i am right the coralife pump is just not strong enough to give me the proper flow that i need. Even though its currently just acting as a return pump

 

To run everything that you want?................no Is it enough for what you have now?.......I guess, only you can answer that Q.


Luna

 

i am having a nitrate issue currently, i do not over feed and i recently converted from a bioball situation to a fug set up, replaced the protien skimmer because i did not feel the other one was working properly. its been aroung 2 weeks and i am not noticing a drop in the nitrates. I am now just thinking that its an issue with the flow through the fuge. My fish look amazing and the easy corals I have look awesome. i have had them for 2 months now and i am wanting to start adding more corals. I am just trying to trouble shoot so that the tank will be healthy. i would rather fix it now than later after a issue could occur.

 

If you recall my thread, I mentioned that one of my options was to upgrade my pump. If I would have done that, I would have gone with the Little Giant 4-MDQX-SC. It's $216 at Marine Depot, and pumps 800 GPH at a 10' head. If what I read is correct, about the 1/3 HP JBJ Arctica chiller contributing approximately 6' of head to the equasion, this would be my pump of choice.

I'm sure you could find a used one on eBay if you wanted.

I love the Little Giant I have, but it's too small to run through the chiller. It's the 2-MDSC. It only pumps about 435 GPH at 4'.

 

2 weeks is too soon to notice a change. Wait a month or so.


Luna

 

Was worried about my Rio being quiet too.. but the chiller is louder so it nixes all that lol.