Pump Recommendations

[akabryanhall]

I have a 45 cube and a 54 corner that I will be getting external pumps for. I want to get about 150G per hour at tank height, what do you recommend?

 

[fsu1dolfan]

I would probably look into Eheim's for external use. I usually like Mag's but for external pumps Eheim's are far better!

 

[swannyson7]

Agreed... the Mags are known for leaking when used externally, but the Eheims are pricey. The Eheim 1250 would probably be a good size, but it's gonna cost you about $100. I've used QuietOne pumps several times and have always had good luck with them, but I've never used one externally. It's a much cheaper option that might be worth looking into if you're trying to save some $$

 

[akabryanhall]

Should I get a quiet one 1200 for both tanks?

 

[btkrausen]

I think the Quiet ones have good reviews and from what I've heard, they use minimal electric as well.

I'm currently using a Mag9.5, and it ran for over a year without cleaning, and it was like new after a quick rinse.

 

[swannyson7]

Have you heard any reviews on running them externally? i'm using a Quietone 4000 to supply my reactors and a quietone 6000 for my return, but I don't know that I've ever heard anything (good or bad) about running them externally.

 

[akabryanhall]

I'm not sold on using an external, I have heard that mags generate too much heat

 

[fsu1dolfan]

I'm not sold on using an external, I have heard that mags generate too much heat

Yeah for externals Mag's have all kind of bad press all over the place!!!

 

[Troylee]

Quietones are awesome there a tually made by sicce... mags are hot and noisy!!! Also they do get broke easy when used for external use the volutes are very fragile...

 

[swannyson7]

The pros to the Mag drive pumps are the readily available parts, though. Trying to find a new impellar for a QuietOne is much more dificult. I had the impeller break on a QuietOne 4000 high head a few years abck and I had to contact the company for spare parts. Took a couple weeks to come in, whereas you could overnight mag parts seeing as they're avaiable all over the place

 

[Troylee]

One cool trick is a mag 24 impeller fits the mag18 it's a nice upgrade if anything ever broke on the stock one..

 

[btkrausen]

I've never run a Mag externally, always internally. And I don't think they heat up the water that much unless you have a small volume of water. For example, if I run my Mag 7 in a bucket of water overnight, it'll bring the temp up from 65 to around 75 or so, but thats only in a single bucket of water. I've had much more problems with lights heating up the water than a pump.

 

[btkrausen]

Also, FWIW, I've run about every Mag below 12, so 9,7,5,3, and all have worked like a champ.

 

[swannyson7]

One cool trick is a mag 24 impeller fits the mag18 it's a nice upgrade if anything ever broke on the stock one..

You can also upgrade a 24 to a 36 with the change of an impeller.:wink:

I've never run a Mag externally, always internally. And I don't think they heat up the water that much unless you have a small volume of water. For example, if I run my Mag 7 in a bucket of water overnight, it'll bring the temp up from 65 to around 75 or so, but thats only in a single bucket of water. I've had much more problems with lights heating up the water than a pump.

I think I read somewhere that if you follow the manufacturer recomendations, it calls for expanding the line out by a factor of 2 to reduce heat issues. For example, the Mag 18 has a 1" outlet, but they recommend using an adapter to convert it to 2". Not sure where I read this, but I'll try to dig up the thread unless someone can verify that I'm not losing my mind.

 

[btkrausen]

My pump that I use to mix salt is a Mag 7, but it has a nipple for connecting to my 3/4 tubing that I use to move water around sometimes. Probably increases the heat since I'm probably restricting the pump a bit as well.

FOr my new tank, I'll be using a Mag 9 with 1 inch plumbing, which the outlet is 3/4 on the pump.

 

[Troylee]

You can also upgrade a 24 to a 36 with the change of an impeller.:wink:

I think I read somewhere that if you follow the manufacturer recomendations, it calls for expanding the line out by a factor of 2 to reduce heat issues. For example, the Mag 18 has a 1" outlet, but they recommend using an adapter to convert it to 2". Not sure where I read this, but I'll try to dig up the thread unless someone can verify that I'm not losing my mind.

that goes for most pumps like a atb flowstar has a 1" inlet and outlet but they recommend using a 1-1/2" outlet to get the proper flow and less wattage draw..... darts are the same they should have a 2" outlet or a 1-1/2" split into two 1-1/2" returns.....

 

[swannyson7]

Glad I'm not imagining things!

 

[btkrausen]

Thats good to know, I've never heard of that in 6+ years of reefing.

 

[greg0385]

in my opinion i would go a little bigger than you really need that way in the future you could tee off to maybe a gfo reactor or something else without having to purchase another pump or restricting the flow from sump to DT. im trying a external swimming pool pump out to see if it holds up or fails. its very quiet and very strong. the pump claims to hold up in saltwater but there is only one way to find out once i get done with my build.

 

[swannyson7]

in my opinion i would go a little bigger than you really need that way in the future you could tee off to maybe a gfo reactor or something else without having to purchase another pump or restricting the flow from sump to DT. im trying a external swimming pool pump out to see if it holds up or fails. its very quiet and very strong. the pump claims to hold up in saltwater but there is only one way to find out once i get done with my build.

I would disassemble the pump to check for metal parts. If it has metal parts, it may hold up in saltwater for a while, but it'll eventually rust and fail.