Jared I just joined the external pump club until now i have used in sump Mag pumps for my main flow and don't have any real complaints. With my new 180g tank I have an Iwaki 1173 doing about 1300 gph after head loss. The pump came with the tank and it makes a god awful noise from the internal motor. I've ended up making a little case under the tank out of the dense green foam you can get at fabric stores and with the stand doors closed you can't hear it.