Plumbing Head Loss - Mag 7 Users

I was thinking about using a Mag 7 as the return pump from my sump to my main tank. The vertical height is appx. 4.5 feet and horizontal plumbing is less than 3 feet. I am using 0.5" PVC piping with two [45 degree elbows] going into a [Tee] which splits to two different [90 degree elbows] and then two more [90 degree elbows] returning to the tank.

My question is, is the Mag 7 powerful enough with the head loss? It says a max flow rate of 700gph, but at the 4.5 feet vertical, it cuts it down to around 460GPH without any of the elbows and head loss taken into consideration.

I have already bought all the elbows and piping for the 0.5" PVC which matches the Mag 7 and I forgot to include the elbows in my calculations. :-/ And now the Mag9.5 has 3/4" diameters.. URGH!!!

Any thoughts? Anyone using a Mag 7 as a return pump? Will it work?

 

yes... and im using 3/4 inch. youll be fine.

 

Hey Monkey, you're using 3/4" with a Mag9? Or a 3/4" PVC with a Mag 7?

 

So I was talking with a few other reefers and they have told me that a Mag7 is TOO MUCH FLOW? I was told the water in the sump needs time to go through the skimmer. Since my sump is a 10 Gallon, I should not be moving the water that much. So a Mag 3 is the way to go. Any thoughts?

 

5'xs the total systems water volume through the sump per Hr will be the average to shoot for.. But yes whoever told you to allow the water enough dwell time to let the skimmer to do its job is a good source to listen to. Many seem to think the more you can run through the sump the better .. The main tank is a 47 and you may need the 9.5 ? But since you have the 7 and the bull headed tee I think you will be fine with its use I'd also add valves at the outlet from the tee as you will never balance the outputs with out them one will blast and the other will suffer. And the valves will decrease GPH delivery volume also. You may have to increase the tee to a 1in and use bushings on the outlet to reduce static pressure. Maybe a 1.1/4 tee ?

 

Thanks Tangster, but a Mag9.5??? The other person I was talking to was saying a Mag 2 or even a Mag 3, which may be pushing it already on having too much flow.

I don't currently have the Mag7. I wanted to get my facts straight before purchasing the return pump. I do have 1/2" piping, but that's really cheap and can be replaced easily.

I was told to you at least 3/4" piping, so I will most likely have to replace all my PVC pipings anyway. And instead of using rigid PVC, I was thinking about just getting the SpaFlex Flexible PVC, which was save me time and flow and head loss on the elbows, tees, and 45 degrees. hehehe.. didn't mean to rhyme.

Anyway, any additional thoughts?

 

why cant you put a ball valve on the return?? Im using a mag 9 which is prolly to much for my tank but with the ball valve i adjust how much flow is cycling through the tank.. I think my mag has an adjustable output gauge on it as well...


Heres a pic of mine

 

Along the same thinking... if I put a ball valve on the output pipings... wouldn't it cause the Mag 9.5/7 Pump to overheat since it is essential pumping harder then needed, causing some (minimal perhaps) water to be pushed back toward the pump? Like it is pumping into a smaller Inner Diameter, so it is working harder?

 

A mag 9 will not be to much at all.These aquarium pumps are so overly rated by the manufacture its a selling point.. A mag 9 at 4.5 ft and a few 90's on 3/4 pipe will not deliver much more then 300 to 400 GPH Tops and with a Bullheaded tee and tow outlet you will be fine not any need for a valve either just more restriction. I ran a 37 gal Flat back hex reef for a couple of yrs with that pump and it was perfect.. I had a RIO 3300 on it but that died.

 

I'm soooo confused now.. so many conflicting opinions...

Will the Mag 9 (or even the Mag7) allow for the AquaC Remora HOB to perform well if I'm hanging it off of the back of my 10 Gallon Sump?