Equipment - return pump

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return pump

Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Equipment
Forum Description: This is the place to ask question about reef equipment.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=52112
Printed Date: July 30 2026 at 9:51pm
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Topic: return pump

Posted By: jason10012
Subject: return pump
Date Posted: October 24 2011 at 8:35am

Hello everyone,

I'm looking to get some ideas on the size of the return pump for my set up. I will be setting up a 95g aga wave front with a 1" bulkhead and a 3/4" return bulkhead that will be draining into a 30g sump/refugium though a durso standpipe. Someone recommended me to get a rio 32hf which is rated at 1500 gph at a 4 foot head. The head height the pump would have to overcome is approximately 5 feet.

Am I correct in thinking that a rio 17hf (840gph @ 4')or a rio 20hf (990gph @ 4') would be the more correct choice? or should I go with an entirely different return pump considering a 1" bulkhead is typically only rated for 600gph?

This is my first marine tank and I'm trying to take my time and do it right so any advice or thoughts are appreciated.

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30 gallon nano

Replies:

Posted By: BillyC
Date Posted: October 24 2011 at 9:24am

In my opinion you are correct in your thinking. You can always restrict flow or divert the flow into the sump if necessary.

Not sure if you thought about this or not but it's highly recommended to have an in-line valve with your return pump so that you can control how much water is being pumped into your tank.

Also, if there is any way for you to "T" off the return line somehow and just seal the unused end with a cap or valve, you may find this extremely useful in the future for applications such as a water change hose, feeding another piece of equipment (chiller, sterilizer, frag tank, etc) or anything else. I just recently plumbed my new tank and I'm sure most would agree that leaving your options open for modification and maintenance is an awesome idea. Another great you can do when setting up your return pump is making sure it is easily removable for maintenance by using a pvc union/valve.

Posted By: jason10012
Date Posted: October 24 2011 at 5:38pm

BillyC wrote:

Thank you for confirming what I was thinking theres so much information out there that sometimes you get a lil overwhelmed I guess you can say. And yes I was planning on putting a union in for maintainance and was going to plump in a gate valve with a "T" so that I could direct water flow back to the sump if needed but your comment is something I havent thought about and I'll add an additional "T" with an end cap so that I can add anything in the future and save me alot of time and work trying to reach under the cabinet

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30 gallon nano

Posted By: MIK3B
Date Posted: October 24 2011 at 7:31pm

All good ideas - Gate valves are sweet and so much better than ball valves for most applications, just wish I could find some locally!

I also like a clear check valve in line. Might taper the flow a bit, but good piece of mind for me since I run my sump really full to maximize my water volume.

Maybe you could go for a larger bulkhead, or Y it into 2 for more flow? The bulkhead restriction was something I was worried about on my 300 back in the day, so I ended up drilling 2 extras.

Personally, I've never had the best luck with Rio's - had 2 go bad on me over the years, but then again I wasn't as good about maintenance as I am now either. I was always pleased with the Japanese motor Iwaki's and also ran like 20 of them at one of my jobs for years with zero problems. Great pumps, well worth the money. But I know others have head better luck with Rios, they are probably a good value for the money, which has been my experience with the Mag Drive pumps, of which I am running 2 right now internally.