Submersible vs. External pump

Stoneyman · Dec 9, 2014

Hey bros. This is sps related i promise. I have a 180 gal sps reef. Lately ive been having problems with my main pump and microbubbles. Every couple months i have to climb into the cabinet and pull out the main pump and scoop out a couple snails which cause the bubbles. Major pain and im worried the microbubbles are adversely affecting the reef.

So im contemplating changing out the dry external pump for a submersible main pump. Gonna be a task changing plumbing but having it in the sump would give it easier access for cleaning and hopefully eliminate microbubbles. Curious to know what type of main pump my fellow stick addicts use for their reefs.

maxxin69 · Dec 9, 2014

My SPS in the making is using the Fluval SP4 on my 120 and I've happy with the results. It's dead silent and pumps out a good amount of water. But I have been hearing a lot of good things about DC pumps, may want to give them a look.

Rob Top1 · Dec 9, 2014

Two Reeflo Barracudas on a 240.
Why not put a strainer on the pumps intake line. I feed mine with a 2" line that chocks down to 1.5 right at intake. I took a foot long piece of PVC, capped it, Dilled a bunch of 1/4" holes in the cap and used a miter saw to cut slits down the pipe. No restricted flow no snails either

MrDJeep123 · Dec 9, 2014

There is nothing wrong with microbubbles in the tank. As long as it's not 24/7. Here is a reefer who injects them on purpose at regular intervals. BUBBLES

Stoneyman · Dec 10, 2014

Rob Top1 said:
Two Reeflo Barracudas on a 240.
Why not put a strainer on the pumps intake line. I feed mine with a 2" line that chocks down to 1.5 right at intake. I took a foot long piece of PVC, capped it, Dilled a bunch of 1/4" holes in the cap and used a miter saw to cut slits down the pipe. No restricted flow no snails either

Dam dude thats a freaking fantastic idea. Thanks!

Stoneyman · Dec 10, 2014

MrDJeep123 said:
There is nothing wrong with microbubbles in the tank. As long as it's not 24/7. Here is a reefer who injects them on purpose at regular intervals. BUBBLES

I think it bothers me more than anything

.

JMSKI333 · Dec 11, 2014

+1 on micro bubbles not being an issue. Think "waves in the ocean".

But to answer your question, I use an Ehiem submersible pump about to upgrade to a DC pump because I am moving my sump to the basement and need more head pressure. The only time I get micro bubbles is when my sump level gets low enough that my return sucks air. I agree that they are unsightly.

reefndude · Dec 11, 2014

Been using Jaebo DC 9000 for over a year now. Been a very good pump so far...0 complaints from me

scardall · Dec 12, 2014

Gee thats easy. External pump always. it doesn't heat the water, more reliable,higher head pressure and height.I have one that is 10+ years old and still going.

SteveO83 · Dec 13, 2014

Ive been researching the componenets for my next tank. And looking at external pumps i see externals are extremely expensivr compared to internal witht the same gph ratings. Am I missing something

rayn · Dec 13, 2014

I have always been internal, for fear of leaks. But my new build utilized a external pan world. I was worried about noise, but it is silent. No heat transfer either.

choff · Dec 13, 2014

I'm plumbed and run both. I have a reeflo external that I run late spring to early fall and then cut over to an internal pump for the winter to pick up as much heat as I can to minimize my heaters running with a basement sump up here in new England.

scardall · Dec 15, 2014

There are pro's and cons. Internal: Impellar replacements and locks up if stoped External: Never replace impellar(I have a "GEN-X" that is 14 years old). Some one mention cost. Well internal are cheaper and are fine for a start, but for Long term external are the way to go.

So get a GEN-X external pump, Great price and Spec's.