Return pump questions

terryagi · 05/15/2009, 10:11 PM

My Mag7 return pump for my 40g breeder has stopped working correctly. While spinning, the impeller rattles inside of the housing and occasionally stops for a second or two before continuing. It's less than a year old

. Anyway, I need a new one ASAP. The only pump brands locally available are Pondmaster/Mag Drive and Eheim. I'm thinking about getting an Eheim as I've read that they are of better quality than the Mag Drives. What do you think?

My main question, however, would I do better getting a pump whose rating matches my skimmer pump's rating (325 gph Coralife Super Skimmer 65) and getting another powerhead for inside the tank? If not, what rating would you suggest? BTW, the pump will need to push 5' vertically.

Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

ddinox64 · 05/15/2009, 10:37 PM

Just get a new impellor or shaft for it. I read too that some people super glue the impellor to the magnet to remove the play in it. Be careful not to glue it to the shaft though.

Tylt33 · 05/15/2009, 10:38 PM

Depending on your needs I would look at an Eheim 1260 or Eheim 1262. Or, Quiet One 4000. Three of the most efficient pumps on the market. I'm replacing my mags with those pumps atm.

username in use · 05/15/2009, 10:46 PM

+1 for matching it to the skimmer.

terryagi · 05/16/2009, 07:53 AM

Thanks for the suggestions.

If I match the new pump to the skimmer pump, do i match the return pump's pre-head loss rating or the post-head loss rating?

sjm817 · 05/16/2009, 08:26 AM

Although matching sounds like a nice idea, I'm not sure it is all that important. If the drain flow and skimmer GPH match, there is no way to ensure all the drain water is processed by the skimmer anyway. You would have to have a very specific sump and skimmer design to do that.

IMO, a Mag7 is big for a 40B anyway. An Eheim 1260 despite the ratings would have considerably more flow. The 1250, quite a bit less. What type of overflow do you have?

terryagi · 05/16/2009, 08:56 AM

I have a 1" standpipe

sjm817 · 05/16/2009, 09:00 AM

Ok. If you want more or the same flow that you have (you can dial it back), you can use a 1260. If you want a lot less flow, the 1250. Those are your Eheim options. The pumps will last a very long time and are also a heck of a lot quieter.

For a Mag, I think you know the options. Another Mag7, or cut back to a Mag5 or 3.

05/15/2009, 10:11 PM	#1
terryagi Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 143	Return pump questions My Mag7 return pump for my 40g breeder has stopped working correctly. While spinning, the impeller rattles inside of the housing and occasionally stops for a second or two before continuing. It's less than a year old . Anyway, I need a new one ASAP. The only pump brands locally available are Pondmaster/Mag Drive and Eheim. I'm thinking about getting an Eheim as I've read that they are of better quality than the Mag Drives. What do you think? My main question, however, would I do better getting a pump whose rating matches my skimmer pump's rating (325 gph Coralife Super Skimmer 65) and getting another powerhead for inside the tank? If not, what rating would you suggest? BTW, the pump will need to push 5' vertically. Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

05/15/2009, 10:46 PM	#4
username in use Sciencing Daily Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 6,560	+1 for matching it to the skimmer. __________________ Joshua "With fronds like these, who needs anemones?" - Albert Einstein Current Tank Info: multiple nano's sprinkled around the house

05/16/2009, 07:53 AM	#5
terryagi Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 143	Thanks for the suggestions. If I match the new pump to the skimmer pump, do i match the return pump's pre-head loss rating or the post-head loss rating? Last edited by terryagi; 05/16/2009 at 08:17 AM.

05/16/2009, 08:26 AM	#6
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	Although matching sounds like a nice idea, I'm not sure it is all that important. If the drain flow and skimmer GPH match, there is no way to ensure all the drain water is processed by the skimmer anyway. You would have to have a very specific sump and skimmer design to do that. IMO, a Mag7 is big for a 40B anyway. An Eheim 1260 despite the ratings would have considerably more flow. The 1250, quite a bit less. What type of overflow do you have? __________________ - Scott

05/16/2009, 09:00 AM	#8
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	Ok. If you want more or the same flow that you have (you can dial it back), you can use a 1260. If you want a lot less flow, the 1250. Those are your Eheim options. The pumps will last a very long time and are also a heck of a lot quieter. For a Mag, I think you know the options. Another Mag7, or cut back to a Mag5 or 3. __________________ - Scott

05/15/2009, 10:37 PM	#2
ddinox64 Moved On Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Ca. Posts: 1,327	Just get a new impellor or shaft for it. I read too that some people super glue the impellor to the magnet to remove the play in it. Be careful not to glue it to the shaft though.

05/15/2009, 10:38 PM	#3
Tylt33 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Chico, California Posts: 1,755	Depending on your needs I would look at an Eheim 1260 or Eheim 1262. Or, Quiet One 4000. Three of the most efficient pumps on the market. I'm replacing my mags with those pumps atm.

05/16/2009, 08:56 AM	#7
terryagi Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 143	I have a 1" standpipe