Mag drive pumps

[eddiekern]

I have a 37 tall tank. I need to figure out what size return pump I need, and what size pump would be best for a 10 gal refugium.

Return head = 6 feet max
Refugium head = 3 feet max

Is a mag drive 9.5 too big for the return pump?
is a mag drive 5 too big for the refugium?

I'm willing to install ball valves on the intake and return line on the display tank return pump. I'm also willing to put a ball valve on the exhaust line going to the refugium.

I'm going to split the return line going to the display tank w/ a y-joint.

Here are the prices of the pumps:
Mag 3 - $65
Mag 5 - $59
Mag 7 - $63
Mag 9.5 - $79
Mag 12 - $110

I'm going to buy the pumps soon, so any advise will be very helpful.

 

[XxKnuckleheadxX]

i would go with a mag5

 

[eddiekern]

a mag drive for the refugium or the DT return pump or both?

 

[XxKnuckleheadxX]

hmmm lets start over, do you have a diagram of your setup of how you want to plumb it?

 

[eddiekern]

I could make a rough one real fast, give me about 10 min ....

 

[eddiekern]

I didn't include the ball valves, or the return lines for the DT in this sketch. But this is the general idea.

about 6 feet of head on the return line, and about 3 feet of head for the refugium.

 

[eddiekern]

If you think I can pull this off w/ one pump and some ball valves, I'm open to creative suggestions.

 

[dcantucson]

On the return line you can do a T and then a ball valve to feed your refugium. You don't need a separate pump for that. I don't see why you couldn't use just one pump for it all.

 

[eddiekern]

would the mag drive 9.5 be excessive if I went with the one pump plumbing?

 

[dcantucson]

A return at 6 feet will give you around 720 gallons per hour which is over more than you need. You can use a ball valve to cut down the flow and also in your diagram you have two returns. I think you will be okay. You probably won't need any additional circulating pumps inside the tank, which is I think is a good thing.

 

[yote]

With what your trying to do,I think the 9.5 would probably be about perfect.

 

[eddiekern]

Thanks guys I'll be ordering the mag 9.5 today.

 

[dskirtech]

That 9.5 is a WATER MOVING PUMP!!!!

I love mine!