Submersible return pumps

[RockoC87]

This is to ask input and feedback on pumps used for returning water from sump/refugiums. I have a 100 gallon tank that I am setting up with two 1 1/2" overflows on top and a calfo overflow attached to the tank in front of the 2 overflows. and going to use a 55 gallon tank as my sump/refugium and add baffles, for divided areas for the refugium, isolation area, and skimming with a new rs135 euroreef skimmer. I want to use a quality pump and split it into two return lines coming in both sides of the aquarium. I plan to have a mixed reef with some soft and hard corals, hopefully a few acros, and some medium to large fish. i have heard iwaki pumps are good, but i want to get advice from fellow reefers on brands, quality, etc. thanks

[NaCl_H2O]

An Iwaki (or several look alikes) are external pumps. For a submersible I like Eheim's, but the fiitings are odd sizes and take a little extra work to get a good seal on the hose.

[MissT]

You'll get a lot of varied opinions on this subject, but the Magdrives are tried and true, Eheims run cooler but you'd probably want two of them. I, personaly, like the Mag pumps because they last a long time, are tried and true and simple. Eheims are good pumps too, but it's all in experience and preferance.

[RockoC87]

well in anyones opinion, is it better to go external or no? cause it seems more difficult if you needed to service the pump or something. more permanent. positive and negatives?

[MissT]

if you plumb the external using unions and valves on both ends, it's simple to take apart and service. do the plumbing right, and you wont have any problems.

[Fish4life]

External is the way to go. Much less heat and IMO vibration (when plumbed right).

[alton]

I agree with Fish4life external keeps the heat out of the tank and Panworld is your best bet. If you decide to go with Mag pumps just remember they advertise MAg 12 1200 GPH but at a 5' lift they are more like 500 gph at best. I had a mag 18 on my 75.

[Fish4life]

just a spin off from alton's post. Panworld is basically an iwaki with a better price tag.

Hope that helps,

Kurt

[caferacermike]

There are some externals that generate a lot of heat. I forget what brand it was but it was listed here on MAAST. Seems the resins used to make the pump generated a lot of friction thus heating the tank to 90F.

[RockoC87]

So should i just buy a quality powerful in-sump return pump? It seems a lot easier than to drill a hole in the side of a tank for an external.

[MissT]

It's all about preferance and it's also situational. If heat isn't a huge issue, go with a submersible. There aren't many external pumps that are as affordable for the size tank you have. If it was a 100 gallon plus, it might be a different story, but you're looking at like a Mag 9.5, which shouldn't give you any serious heat issues unless you're combining it with metal halide lighting, and no ventilation fans, etc.

[Belowh20]

Mag drives are good pumps at a decent price. One thing I would look into if you decide to submerse one of these pumps is replacing the metal screws on the pump housing with nylon screws. The metal more or less will start to rust over time and its just a good safety precaution to keep it out of your tank.

Another thing you might want to consider is plumbing the outside diameter of the pump, instead if the inner fittings. You probably won't run into the problem on a mag 9.5, but if running a larger mag they will sometimes build up enough pressure to act as an injector nozzle and fill your tank with a nice bubble cloud.

Eheims are rock solid, but somewhat pricey and not so adaptable.

[alton]

Custom Sealife made the T1 through T4 and now someone bought them out. I believe Jason carries these. They heat your water 2 to 4 degrees warmer than with other pumps. So why would you use a pump like this? Because there is no noise! If you have an office and the temp stays at around 70 degrees it is the best pump you could find. My boss has had his for seven years with not one problem and since he is so picky it is perfect because no noise. Panworld pumps are made by an ex-engineer of Iwaki's, but are better. Also when you use a submersable pump you are adding voltage to your tank, so will have to install a grounding probe.

[dow]

Another thing about the Mag pumps... You can easily plumb them external if you want to. I've got a Mag 18 on my closed loop, and it works great.

Of course, I should have left more room behind the tank so it would be easier to get to. That's something to think about if you do plumb one external. You need plenty of room around the pump to work the valves and unions in order to remove the pump for cleaning. Next time there'll be more room and less skinned knuckles.

[theedprado]

I use 2 mag 7s on most of my tanks, one for each overflow. This way if one pump goes out I have a back up. I Like the Iwakis, but they are a little expensive, 3 times the cost of the two mags.

[caferacermike]

Eheims are also able to be plumbed external. I'm a huge fan of Eheim. I have probably about $6,000 worth of their equipment. I bought a Sequence Dart to try out as my first external.