fluidized bed filter question

[touchofgrey]

I have a couple of questions concerning a specific fluidized bed filter. I have 2 Red Sea Merlin 120 fluidized bed filters (old-school, I know!) that I'm setting up. These filters are brand-new/old (probably close to 15 years, but never used. Unfortunately, I don't have the boxes for them any more. Does anyone know what size pump is needed to obtain proper fluidization? I have a 700gph pump that came with the tank, but if I can go a bit smaller I'd like to do that. I want to run 1 pump with a "Y" to split flow to the 2 Merlins. I also do not want to run a submersible pump; I'm trying to keep all equipment out of the visible area of the tank- the entire setup will be in the cabinet under the tank, pulling water out of 1 overflow and dumping back into the other overflow (freshwater 180gal setup, overflows on opposite ends of the tank).

I'm also going to be running (2) 125gph canisters with UV; I've been reading about UV and planted tanks- should I not run the UV units?

Thanks in advance for any feedback I get. Merry Christmas!
Kelly

 

[flyfishfan1966]

Set up a sump and run the FS filters in there.
Keeps em out of the tank and allows for flexibility.