Question on Best pump for 3/4" sea-swirl

[chris]

I just installed my 3/4" sea-swirl last night. My return pump was a mag-12, but the flow was too much and it started knocking corals off (also sea-swirl recommends only using a pump up to 850gph on this model).

I took the mag-12 off and put on a mag-7, but now it seems as if I don't have enough flow.

Which is the best pump for this model and what pump is the quietest/most reliable?

Thanks for your help,
Chris

[phistio]

split the difference...mag 9

but first try checking the flow control. you should be able to limit the amount of water inducted through the intake

[chris]

Thank you. I was actually thinking about a mag 9, but then thought about how much more money I was throwing away on a new pump when I have two perfectly good ones.

Think I will take your suggestion and try to get a valve to reduce flow on the mag12. It shouldn't hurt the pump by restricting the flow somewhat should it?

Thanks,
Chris

[phistio]

minor reduction of the flow shouldn't hurt, but if you're cutting more than half of the flow, the impeller will overdrive, causing wear on the pump motor.

my opinion however, is not to restrict the flow...reason being, i've read that seaswirls can clog, and eventually seize the sweeping motion...is moving the output to a location further from your corals an option? if it isn't then i would try a ball valve, or inching valve.

good luck!

[ssgibby]

on another note. whenever you reduce the amount of water the pump moves, make sure you reduce the output, never the input

[chris]

Thanks for all the replies. We decided to use the mag 12 and split the return - one to the seaswirl and another to the regular return. We also had to reduce the flow from the pump a bit.

Now I'm trying to get a ReefTec and figure out some kind of standpipe to reduce the noise. It got really loud. Which I still don't understand, because we have always had the mag 12 on it.

Just as a side note - my corals aren't reacting any different after the sea-swirl than they were before. Guess time will tell. But I sure don't miss all those powerheads!

Cheers,
Chris

[phistio]

i think most people would swear by their "durso standpipe"

seen here:

http://www.rl180reef.com/frames.htm

[chris]

Thanks. I was thinking about that one, but have heard several ppl complain that it gets plugged up. There is another one that is similar but has a cap on top that I was thinking about going with. Will probably try both and see which works better. PVC doesn't cost that much, it's just a pain getting it in there.
Chris