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Return pump for a tech 120

Y

ynotme4886

I am looking for recommendations for a submersible return pump for my new tech 120.

I know quite a few people here have them so what do you use on yours?

The tank of course has 2 drains and the return lines are plumbed into 2 sea swirls instead of the standard loc line.

I am probably going to feed the fuge from the return line as well but am only in the planning part of the process.

Although if I just go with the sea swirls and dont plumb them through the return holes in the overflow I can use the 2 smaller return holes as drains...one for the fuge and one for a external skimmer. So many choices.

So what does everyone use??
 
Brando457

Brando457

I initially started using a mag 18, but that was too much flow. I switched to a mag 12 and so far it has been a great pump. I don't hear any noise really coming from it and I have very sensitive ears.

Also another member on here 9supra runs 2 x 1262 Eheim one to each return and loves them. His pumps are super quiet and you cannot hear them at all.

I would recommend either the mag 12 or eheims.
 
Phyl

Phyl

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
We used a mag 12 with a mag 18 impeller. Made it a Mag 15 roughly and was the perfect amount of flow given the head loss we had.
 
Y

ynotme4886

Phyl said:
We used a mag 12 with a mag 18 impeller. Made it a Mag 15 roughly and was the perfect amount of flow given the head loss we had.
Click to expand...

That sounds like an option. The sump is right under the tank but to get to the swirls they go a few inches higher than the regular outspout. I think the swirls are 800 or 850gph max each.

If I decide to run a line off of the return to the fuge then should I go with the 18 instead of making a hybrid 15?
 
JRWOHLER

JRWOHLER

I have a Mag 12 on mine, you don't lose much head room with the tech stand. I actually T'd it of for a TLF reactor because I wanted to cut down on the waterfall sound. Think the stock dursos are little deep. With it in the living room I wanted it as quiet as possible.
 
A

Audi0s

Im running an 18 as well on my 75, and I had planned on t ing it off into my skimmer, but I might just let it be the return. It is tons of flow though, almost seems too quick for my refugium. I guess well see when I get one going in there, I just added rock today. The impeller mod seems like a great idea.
 
C

concept3

everyone's recommended a Mag which I've used before (Mag 5 on a 75). But I'm gonna go out on a limb and also recommend the Eheim pumps, they run cooler than the mags and are pretty quiet. Cost is a drawback though.
 
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