KIPS said:
Thanks for the help trb. I guess it is common sense now that you have opened my eyes. I am getting the mag 9.5 with it.
Plumbing Question though:
would you T the two drains into one main drain I can adjust the flow, or would you run the two directly to the sump and put valves on them seperately? Is pvc or hoses preferred?
thanks again
You do NOT want to put a valve on the drain line, that is not how you control the flow rate.
Let's say you do that and lower the flow down the drain to 600 gph.
Let's say your return pump can pump 700 gph back to the main tank.
Where do you think the water will go? It will overflow your main tank onto your floor.
If you want to control flow, control the return line.
Better yet, get the right size pump and you don't have to bother with valve and control.
What is the right size of pump?
It's anything less than the maximum that your drain can handle.
What your drain can handle is dependent on its diameter.
According to this calculator, a 1" drainline can drain 600 gph, a 1 1/4" drainline can drain 900 gph
http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/drain.php
You said your overflow box can drain 900 gph? Does it have a 1 1/4" drain line?
A mag 9.5 is rated at 950 gph, that is more than your drain can handle. You will have water on your floor.