Internal vs external returns?
- Thread starter Tabasco1
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Devonjevon
Active Member
One advantage to external is that they don't add as much heat to the water that internal pumps do.
Disadvantage many sumps are not setup for external pumps and have to be drilled. It's not hard but it can be scary if u never tried it.
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Disadvantage many sumps are not setup for external pumps and have to be drilled. It's not hard but it can be scary if u never tried it.
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GrouperStupor
Active Member
My internal is a lot quieter than my external. But my external moves much more water for having about the same rating. It cost a little more too, but seems to be a much more quality build than the internal. I don't use my external anymore. Until I need to move gobs of water, I'm sticking with internal. If you have a large system, I think you may have to go with external. I'm using two internals in my main system with more than one tank (220 or so gallons). I didn't have room for an external. Even a lower end external would probably handle my job easily.
And yeah, the plumbing was much eaiser for the internal.
And yeah, the plumbing was much eaiser for the internal.
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I have a 120 gallon tank (150 gallons of water) with a mag 18 (internal) for my return. I also have a reeflo (external) for a closed loop.
I have not noticed that the mag 18 adds any heat to the tank. If it does it's just less time my heater has to run so I would count that as a plus anyways.
Safety? I'm not sure. I would assume there is less change of stray electricity getting into the system via an external pump. But if it isn't plumbed correctly it could be a terrible nightmare.
I have not noticed that the mag 18 adds any heat to the tank. If it does it's just less time my heater has to run so I would count that as a plus anyways.
Safety? I'm not sure. I would assume there is less change of stray electricity getting into the system via an external pump. But if it isn't plumbed correctly it could be a terrible nightmare.
Devonjevon
Active Member
Bulk reef supply has a good comparison between an external pump in a 5 gallon bucket and a mag 18. The heat given off by the mag drive was impressive. I had a mag drive 18 a my return then switched to external. I actually for the first time had to install a quality heater solved all my heat issues. If your tank runs hot and your on the line about having to need a chiller I'd advise a external. People complain about noise but if you use pads under your pump and a short line of vynal tubing after the pump to cut on vibrations you shouldn't hear much difference. Of course you get what you pay for. I like the fact that my reeflo dart pump. It runs my return my uv sterilizer my ozone generator my skimmer and my biopellet reactor. I have only about 8 inches between my tank and my wall but my pump fits nicely.
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Fragtastic Reef
Active Member
I personally like the in sump pumps vs going with external. Less problems and worries about leaks, and some brands of externals actually put a bit of heat in the water also.
mcarroll
10K Club member
Unless your external pump is also plumbed outside the tank stand they add heat more or less according to the watts they draw like anything else. Only in this case the heat travels through air to the tank instead of through water as it would with a submersible pump. The heat issue is mostly a myth.
Personally, the only time I'd use an external pump is when forced to by the installation - and I'd first think really hard about changing the installation if possible. In general, they are big, expensive and noisy when compared to similar submersible pumps. IME, they also fail more quickly, too. If I had to use a direct-drive pump, I'd probably look at Dolphin first.
I think the real differentiation is actually between magnetic drive pumps - all submersibles and externals like Iwaki's - and direct drive pumps like Reeflo's and Dolphin's. Magnetic drive pumps seem to be more quiet and reliable, IME.
-Matt
Personally, the only time I'd use an external pump is when forced to by the installation - and I'd first think really hard about changing the installation if possible. In general, they are big, expensive and noisy when compared to similar submersible pumps. IME, they also fail more quickly, too. If I had to use a direct-drive pump, I'd probably look at Dolphin first.
I think the real differentiation is actually between magnetic drive pumps - all submersibles and externals like Iwaki's - and direct drive pumps like Reeflo's and Dolphin's. Magnetic drive pumps seem to be more quiet and reliable, IME.
-Matt
kkiel02
Active Member
When an external leaks it ruins your house. When an internal leaks it ruins your...nothing. Jk but that is the reason I will never do external. Even on my 500 gallon setup I just run two sicce 5.0.
strange33w
Well-Known Member
I have used both and with my new build I needed a little more water movement so I went with an external (reeflo dart). Is has been real quit for me but I added a 2 inch foam pad under it so that probably is helping. I think the heat transfer is a little less as my old tank ran about 1.5 to 2 degrees hotter with a mag 12. I did have a little leak issue but was easy to fix. I did like the peace of mind of not having a hole in the side of my sump that the internal provided in my old system. But only needing one pump to power my reactors and also be my return is nice.
