Return Pump, In or Out?

[duc]

I am wondering if I should make mine an external or is internal the norm.

[NaCl_H2O]

With a 125g, and internal is probably just fine. Unless you have lots of other heat load (Halides) a good quality submersible is fine. I ran a Eheim 1261 on my 125g for over a year with only minimal maintenance.

[Shark_Bait]

Mine is currently an internal (Mag7) and I really don't have a heat problem yet. But am getting ready to start a refugium (get ready for the questions) that will have an external.

[DeletedAccount]

I have one of each (on different tanks).

[dow]

Internal... for now, at least. might change with the new tank. I haven't decided for sure.

[Polkster13]

I have both.

[::pete::]

Im switching to all external!

[jaded]

In my very recent research into this same topic I found that almost everyone started with internal pumps but moved to external as soon as they could. I'm going to say that I find myself in exactly that boat. I'll be running external as soon as all the parts are in!

[Polkster13]

Well, I guess I should clarify my post. I started with an internal system (135 berlin) for my home and I have recently started three new systems for my new business (1200 gallon, 300 gallon and 200 gallon) and all of these will have external pumps (as soon as I get them all plumbing done). If I could, I would change my original system in my home to an external but that would require replacing the tank. Since I have spent so much on the new business, it will be a while before I can replace this system.

[duc]

My new pump goes both ways :lol so I think I will make it external, cant hurt. I plugged my sump so the only complication is draining it or lowering it enough to connect it.

[eric]

The new setup is going external, existing has one of each and I plan to convert the submersed one to an external in the near future.