Sump/Return Pump Question

Inedaan · #1 03-22-2011, 12:16 AM

Over the last... several... months I have been collecting pieces to set up a new aquarium. I have a 50G Tank and a 20G Sump currently and an Eheim 1262. Question is, is that an incredibly high amount of flow, and will the eheim be fine in 8"ish of water?

phi delt reefer · #2 03-22-2011, 12:31 AM

you dont even need that much but yeah it will be fine. You will need an ATO to keep your water level consistent though. You can put a valve on the pump to turn it down OR tee it off to run some reactors and divert a portion of the flow.

Inedaan · #3 03-22-2011, 12:36 AM

The pump was bought before the tank as I was originally going for a 70g tank. Do you think it would be better to get a smaller pump or throttle it back one way or another?

ScubaSteve · #4 03-22-2011, 01:16 AM

Just stick a valve after the pump and you can throttle it back and find your sweet spot

phi delt reefer · #5 03-22-2011, 01:32 AM

you will have some head loss and depending on how you set-up your plumbing further losses from 90's and what not. Just throttle it back or tee it off to recirculate back to the fuge or a reactor. You dont need to downgrade

lastlight · #6 03-22-2011, 01:41 AM

The 1262 is certainly a little louder than their smaller models. It's certainly more than enough flow. I run one on my 110g system.

George · #7 03-22-2011, 04:55 AM

1262 is probably too big for a 50G. You can throttle it back using a valve but why waste all the power. Buy a proper return pump with about 3x-5x turn over of your display tank counting all the head loses.
FYI I am using a 1262 on a 180G.