Mag drive pumps

[dwdenny]

Can mag drive pumps be run externally? I was thinking of building a nano with like a mag 1.5 for the return like a mini CL sort of. Sense money is a little tight for the big tank and Thought about a nano to curb the I AM WITHOUT A TANK syndrome. lol

[don-n-sa]

Yes they can, I never have, but they say external / internal on the box.

[dwdenny]

that is what I thought however marine depot has them listed as internal only. That is good to know. Thanks don-n-sa for the quick reply. I plan to have it in a small plastic dish or something just in case.

[Jimnorris]

Yes they can be use external. I once ran two Mag 24s for a close loop and they worked very well.
Jim

[villjr]

You may have to put in an extra piece in the close loop to prime the pump when you first start it up.

[dwdenny]

villjr didn't think of that thanks for that tid bit.

[MattK]

I have a close loop on my 30g that is ran by a Mag5.

[captexas]

I think the issue was that some of the pumps leaked when run externally. For some strange reason I think it was mostly the smaller pumps. Of course as it is a mag drive pump, having it in the water also helps cool the pump and prevent it from overheating, but in turn heats your tank water. I have run a Mag 12 externally on a closed loop with no problems. Just use good teflon tape on the joints,don't overtighten the joints and you should be fine.

[dwdenny]

all good things to know. Thanks everyone.

[matt]

Yep, they work external, but the smaller ones (up to mag7 I believe) are notorious for leaking. The bigger ones (mag12, 18, etc) are in a different housing that's evidently much more leak proof.

[dwdenny]

Well I might just spend the money on an Ehiem 1046 or a 1048 only 50 or so and a much better pump from what I hear.

[NaCl_H2O]

Mags, like many less expensive pumps (including Eheim) are basically just large versions of a powerhead. Some are better than others with features like ceramic shafts, and more impeller paddles, but they all wear out over time and regular cleaning/maintenance are critical to keep them from failing.

I agree the Eheim is superior to a MAG, and a MAG12+ is better than a MAG12-, but .....

If you want a dependable, last forever pump, get an IWAKI, Blueline, PanWorld style pump. You will probably pay close to 2x for the same GPH, but cost and hassle will be far less over a 5+ year period of time.

I have 10 pumps on my system including a PanWorld 30, 40, 50, 100, 200, and MAG12s ... I used to have some MAG5/7s but they have all been tossed into the trashcan, and my Eheims are kept around in case of an emergency. When time/$s permit, the MAG12s will be history.

[dwdenny]

Steve this is for a nano so all I need is about 100 or so GPH dont think an Iwaki or panworld is needed.

[NaCl_H2O]

Steve this is for a nano so all I need is about 100 or so GPH dont think an Iwaki or panworld is needed.
Oops :blush sorry, I must have gotten lost in the moment ;) Actually, they do make little PanWorlds, about 150-200gph ;)

[dwdenny]

might have to look into them that is ok but I do agree with you about the Iwaki and panworld pumps.

[NaCl_H2O]

$65 and it is so cute! (http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=PW-10PX&Category_Code=Panworld)

[dwdenny]

and they make smaller ones check out this PDF file http://www.techniquesfluides.fr/download/TDF-Pan%20World%20angl.pdf pretty neat contacting the amirican office to see where I might be able to get one.

[matt]

The smallest pan world (great idea to get one of those!) is the PX10 which puts out 150gph, pressure rated. I use this pump for kalk reactors, and it's great. It's $60 or so at premium, totally worth getting for a return pump. The next one up PX20 is around 250gph I think.

[dwdenny]

click the link above matt there is a 1px that is made as well as 2,3,4,5 then it skips to the 10px. I contacted pan world in america I hope get some more info and a distributor name.