What size pump do I need?

[wkjames]

For my 210 gallon tank, with a goal of somewhere around a 100 gallon sump. there will of course be liverock, sand, etc. It will be a mixed tank, heavy on fish and softies. I will probably have a few hard corals, but not many. Whatever pump(s) I inevitably choose will most likely be in-sump, and need to push a 4-5 foot head. I have a 1250gph I was going to use, is it enough? I know everyone has a favorite brand, and I'm not so concerned about brand names at this point. I would really like a GPH or LPH type answer. Thoughts?

[civil]

Is there any way you can go with an external pump? They are more reliable and introduce less heat into the tank.

For internal I like the Eheim but I'm not sure thay make something that large. Also consider what the overflows can handle, to much over them will be loud.

[mtfatwork]

1250 is fine. On my 220 with 150 sump I will only be pushing about 900 gph.

[MNGold15]

I am doing a mag 24 on my 210, because it will have about a 5-6 ft head and I am also putting a ball valve and the pump will t-off to both overflows.

[superman]

Are you figuring in your head loss from pipe angles? for a 210 gallon tank your head loss will be more than just 4-5 feet. Considering the amount of livestock that will fit in a 210 gallon tank, and the lesser reliability of submersible pumps compared to most external pumps, I would go with an external pump like a sequence, blueline, panworld, coralife etc. Submersible pumps are more prone to failure, or giving you a shock. In my opinion it is not worth having a huge reef tank ran with a cheap submersible pump when you will have thousands of dollars in livestock hinging on cheap equipment. It is not difficult to drill a sump, or have someone drill it for you, so don't let that be a deterrent.

[wkjames]

Excellent advice all... probably 5 90degree angles to consider. but back to the basic question: GPH recommendations?

[David Grigor]

1000gph +/- a few hundred. Just enough to keep the skimmer feed and water heated. All the rest of the circulation should be within the show tank.

Like others mentioned. Best to stay away from submersable especially getting into the larger sizes. Larger the submersable the more heat and less effecient.