those with mak 4 pumps good or bad?

nait002 · 02/24/2006, 09:23 AM

I'm looking at purchasing the Gen x mak 4 for a return pump from my basement sump. I was wondering if anyone has had any problems with this pump, or if anyone has anything good to say either. I'm going to order a pump this weekend and need to know if this is good pump to buy.

Drewcipher · 02/24/2006, 09:25 AM

I read a bunch of good things, so I bought one. Haven't used it yet though.

mr_alberta · 02/24/2006, 10:45 AM

I like my Mak 4. Its well built, relatively quiet, and has a fairly low power consumption. I'm not sure how much flow you'll get back into the tank though pumping from the basement.

blange3 · 02/24/2006, 10:51 AM

I'm also considering a MAK 4, but for a closed loop with a SCWD. My other choice is a MAG 12. What do you think?

nait002, where are you planning on ordering from?

mr_alberta · 02/24/2006, 10:57 AM

My Mak 4 is actually hooked up to a SCWD. I like it so far. Its ~5s alternating on the SCWD.

I didn't like the Mag 12 that I had. Its a little bit smaller than the mak 4 (but taller), and its was crazy loud if run external (and prone to leak between the face plate and pump), and it added a ton of heat to the water when run submersed. JMO of course.

coralnut99 · 02/24/2006, 11:12 AM

I have 2 mak 4's I've been runninig for over a year now. Nice quiet, and dependable motors. Run them with scwds and without. However, I also have no idea if these pumps could be used in a basement sump settup.

keeperofthefish · 02/24/2006, 11:44 AM

Quiet is not how I would describe these. Dependable, yes. Powerful, yes. But their are air cooled and the fan rusts quickly and becomes louder and louder. You don't want these in a room with a hard floor or in a small room where sound will echo. But then again, I'm very sensitive to sound and my next pump will likely be something very expensive and very quiet.

coralnut99 · 02/24/2006, 11:56 AM

I set mine on pads of 1 inch thick styrofoam. Mine have been minimal noise contributors. When I shut them down during a w/c I don't even realize they're been off. But like everything else in this hobby everyone can have very different experiences with the same product.

nait002 · 02/24/2006, 12:00 PM

well thanks for all the input. I did a head loss calculation on the Mak 4 and came up with about 793 gph. with 11.5 ft. vert and 20 ft. horz. with 1.25" pipe and 3 90 elbows. I'm planning on getting it from Premium Aquatics, they have them on special right now for $119.00 plus $8.00 for shipping.

02/24/2006, 09:23 AM	#1
nait002 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: milwaukee Posts: 663	those with mak 4 pumps good or bad? I'm looking at purchasing the Gen x mak 4 for a return pump from my basement sump. I was wondering if anyone has had any problems with this pump, or if anyone has anything good to say either. I'm going to order a pump this weekend and need to know if this is good pump to buy.

02/24/2006, 09:25 AM	#2
Drewcipher Premium Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bailey, CO Posts: 896	I read a bunch of good things, so I bought one. Haven't used it yet though. __________________ Drew I'm growing older but not up My metabolic rate is pleasantly stuck Let those winds of time blow over my head I'd rather die while I'm living than live while I'm dead--Jimmy Buffett Current Tank Info: 75 gallon, Red Sea Max, setting up a 180

02/24/2006, 10:51 AM	#4
blange3 Brewer and Reefer Join Date: May 2005 Location: Woodbridge, NJ Posts: 1,126	I'm also considering a MAK 4, but for a closed loop with a SCWD. My other choice is a MAG 12. What do you think? nait002, where are you planning on ordering from? __________________ Bill Current Tank Info: 180gal with 100 gal Sump CSS Octopus NW150, Mag 18 return, Jebao RW20, 2xMJ 900's 320w VHO Actinics and 320w overdriven T5's coming back online after a FW break

02/24/2006, 11:12 AM	#6
coralnut99 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bushkill, PA Posts: 3,632	I have 2 mak 4's I've been runninig for over a year now. Nice quiet, and dependable motors. Run them with scwds and without. However, I also have no idea if these pumps could be used in a basement sump settup. __________________ Why can't my wife see this stuff as an investment? Current Tank Info: way too much to list, and still adding more!

02/24/2006, 11:56 AM	#8
coralnut99 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bushkill, PA Posts: 3,632	I set mine on pads of 1 inch thick styrofoam. Mine have been minimal noise contributors. When I shut them down during a w/c I don't even realize they're been off. But like everything else in this hobby everyone can have very different experiences with the same product. __________________ Why can't my wife see this stuff as an investment? Current Tank Info: way too much to list, and still adding more!

02/24/2006, 10:45 AM	#3
mr_alberta Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada Posts: 347	I like my Mak 4. Its well built, relatively quiet, and has a fairly low power consumption. I'm not sure how much flow you'll get back into the tank though pumping from the basement.

02/24/2006, 10:57 AM	#5
mr_alberta Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada Posts: 347	My Mak 4 is actually hooked up to a SCWD. I like it so far. Its ~5s alternating on the SCWD. I didn't like the Mag 12 that I had. Its a little bit smaller than the mak 4 (but taller), and its was crazy loud if run external (and prone to leak between the face plate and pump), and it added a ton of heat to the water when run submersed. JMO of course.

02/24/2006, 11:44 AM	#7
keeperofthefish Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 228	Quiet is not how I would describe these. Dependable, yes. Powerful, yes. But their are air cooled and the fan rusts quickly and becomes louder and louder. You don't want these in a room with a hard floor or in a small room where sound will echo. But then again, I'm very sensitive to sound and my next pump will likely be something very expensive and very quiet.

02/24/2006, 12:00 PM	#9
nait002 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: milwaukee Posts: 663	well thanks for all the input. I did a head loss calculation on the Mak 4 and came up with about 793 gph. with 11.5 ft. vert and 20 ft. horz. with 1.25" pipe and 3 90 elbows. I'm planning on getting it from Premium Aquatics, they have them on special right now for $119.00 plus $8.00 for shipping.