Return Pump outside the sump

EllieSuz · 01/05/2008, 10:25 PM

I'm attempting to convert my sump to a sump/refugium combination. My LFS has suggested we plumb the return pump outside the sump. Among the advantages are less heat generated in the water and more room to configure the refugium. This sounds like a gigantic leak just waiting to happen. Has anyone tried that and if so, how does it work and what happens when the pump is turned off or there is a power failure? Thanks.

ThaNgBOm321 · 01/05/2008, 11:56 PM

no prob at all... done it for years... no problem,restarts when power is supplied to the pump again, no leak... if it did.. it would leak when the pump was running and would blast water everywhere...

YzGyz

bhdmc · 01/06/2008, 10:26 AM

I have a Lifereef Berlin sump for over 15 years. Returm pump and skimmer pump are located outside the sump and never had any problems. I run rubber tubing between the pumps and sump to reduce vibration from the pumps.

pjf · 01/06/2008, 06:53 PM

An external pump on a 90-degree elbow is easy to service. If you need to remove the pump, you simply lift it up and turn. Easy servicing and space savings are great reasons for putting external pumps on 90-degree elbows.

Here's my parts list:

1-1/4" thread x thread bulkhead: http://www.aquarium-supply.biz/product_p/ris11814.htm
1-1/4" strainer: http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm...detail/iid/8584
1-1/4" 90-degree Male x Female elbow: http://www.plumbingsupply.com/pvc.html#90
1-1/4" x ? threaded bushing: http://www.plumbingsupply.com/pvc.html#90 (Size bushing for pump inlet)

Do size the plumbing larger than the pump inlet. Note that I used 1-1/4" plumbing before my 1" pump inlet. Place the bulkhead low and to the rear of the sump tank.

I used my computer to draw a circle with an "X" and taped it to the glass as a guide for the glass shop. Alternatively, you can hand the bulkhead to the glass shop and let the shop figure out how to place it as low and as rearward as possible.

Briankook · 01/06/2008, 07:17 PM

In my opinion, an external pump as the return is the nicest way to plumb a system.
Here is a pic of mine:

The yellow pump is the return pump. As you can see, I included unions and ball valves so I can easily pull it offline for cleaning. This has worked very well for me.

rammin28 · 01/06/2008, 08:38 PM

hey brian what panworld is that?

EllieSuz · 01/07/2008, 12:04 AM

Thank you so much for taking so much time & effort to reply. The pictures really helped me understand the process.

Briankook · 01/07/2008, 11:27 AM

rammin28, it is not a Panworld, it is a Blueline. HTH

01/05/2008, 10:25 PM	#1
EllieSuz Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 3,858	Return Pump outside the sump I'm attempting to convert my sump to a sump/refugium combination. My LFS has suggested we plumb the return pump outside the sump. Among the advantages are less heat generated in the water and more room to configure the refugium. This sounds like a gigantic leak just waiting to happen. Has anyone tried that and if so, how does it work and what happens when the pump is turned off or there is a power failure? Thanks.

01/05/2008, 11:56 PM	#2
ThaNgBOm321 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Tx, houston Posts: 792	no prob at all... done it for years... no problem,restarts when power is supplied to the pump again, no leak... if it did.. it would leak when the pump was running and would blast water everywhere... YzGyz __________________ YzGyz = Wise Guys ohhh and cows go MOOO!!! 2nd best way is to learn from ones own mistakes but the best way to learn is from others... thx to Randy and so many other for making reefing that much easier

01/06/2008, 07:17 PM	#5
Briankook Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Reading,PA Posts: 744	In my opinion, an external pump as the return is the nicest way to plumb a system. Here is a pic of mine: The yellow pump is the return pump. As you can see, I included unions and ball valves so I can easily pull it offline for cleaning. This has worked very well for me. __________________ Brian Current Tank Info: 180 Gallon BB in wall..., 250 lbs.LR, 65 gallon fuge, 3,400W 10K XM Halides, 4, 160W VHO's on pulleys, Deltec 902 skimmer w/ozone, MAXCAP RODI autotopoff, 3 Tunzes & 1 Vortech

01/07/2008, 12:04 AM	#7
EllieSuz Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 3,858	Thank you so much for taking so much time & effort to reply. The pictures really helped me understand the process. __________________ "You can't learn this hobby one question at a time." (Mr. Tuskfish) Eileen Current Tank Info: I'm out of the hobby, but used to have a60 gal. reef, refugium in sump, Internal Mag 9 return, SC 302 skimmer, two Maxi-Jet 1200's modded, four bulb T5 Lighting, Reefkeeper Lite Controller with three PC4's, Little Fishes GFO reactor.

01/07/2008, 11:27 AM	#8
Briankook Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Reading,PA Posts: 744	rammin28, it is not a Panworld, it is a Blueline. HTH __________________ Brian Current Tank Info: 180 Gallon BB in wall..., 250 lbs.LR, 65 gallon fuge, 3,400W 10K XM Halides, 4, 160W VHO's on pulleys, Deltec 902 skimmer w/ozone, MAXCAP RODI autotopoff, 3 Tunzes & 1 Vortech

01/06/2008, 10:26 AM	#3
bhdmc Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: New York Posts: 956	I have a Lifereef Berlin sump for over 15 years. Returm pump and skimmer pump are located outside the sump and never had any problems. I run rubber tubing between the pumps and sump to reduce vibration from the pumps.

01/06/2008, 06:53 PM	#4
pjf Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,954	An external pump on a 90-degree elbow is easy to service. If you need to remove the pump, you simply lift it up and turn. Easy servicing and space savings are great reasons for putting external pumps on 90-degree elbows. Here's my parts list: 1-1/4" thread x thread bulkhead: http://www.aquarium-supply.biz/product_p/ris11814.htm 1-1/4" strainer: http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm...detail/iid/8584 1-1/4" 90-degree Male x Female elbow: http://www.plumbingsupply.com/pvc.html#90 1-1/4" x ? threaded bushing: http://www.plumbingsupply.com/pvc.html#90 (Size bushing for pump inlet) Do size the plumbing larger than the pump inlet. Note that I used 1-1/4" plumbing before my 1" pump inlet. Place the bulkhead low and to the rear of the sump tank. I used my computer to draw a circle with an "X" and taped it to the glass as a guide for the glass shop. Alternatively, you can hand the bulkhead to the glass shop and let the shop figure out how to place it as low and as rearward as possible.

01/06/2008, 08:38 PM	#6
rammin28 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Louisville,Ky Posts: 25	hey brian what panworld is that?