External pump - Mag drive or Eheim?

gte539f · 12/18/2010, 05:35 PM

I'm looking for a pump to run externally for my GFO/Carbon reactor. I'm trying to decide between a Danner Mag Drive Supreme or an Eheim Universal pump. I'm leaning towards the Eheim even though it's a little more expensive. Anybody have experience with these?

Dex · 12/18/2010, 06:06 PM

I would not run Mag-Drive pumps externally, as they benefit from the cooling provided when they are submerged. No experience with Eheim pumps, so I'll let someone else handle that one..
HTH

Everyones Hero · 12/18/2010, 06:39 PM

You sure you don't mean internal because those are actually submersible pumps?

I've been using a Mag7 as a return pump for a couple of years now. It's never given me any problems but the vibrations drive me crazy. I have heard that the Eheim pumps are very reliable & they're silent. I eventually plan to upgrade to an Eheim myself.

reefermad619 · 12/18/2010, 06:56 PM

Internal, or external? Most people I know use a maxijet for their carbon/gfo reactors.

Dustin1300 · 12/18/2010, 07:41 PM

I'd go with the Eheim. I have a Mag7 and is too loud and I'm not happy with the reliability. Its less than six months old and usually soak in vinegar every 6 weeks but still will not start after power outages some times. I am so sick of pulling out, taking apart, and getting impeller spinning again...

oscar.millan · 12/18/2010, 08:01 PM

+1 on the Eheim. It took a while to bite the bullet because it's pricey, but never looked back.

Dustin1300 · 12/18/2010, 10:34 PM

I've got an Eheim that I need to work on that I can't seem to get going. I've heard of some say that they last for years but acquired this with a tank I bought off CL so I'm not sure how well it was maintained

Jackie Blue · 12/18/2010, 11:09 PM

I have en eheim pump that has been going strong for ten years. It is also much more quiet then my mag.

noobtothereef · 12/18/2010, 11:55 PM

eheim pumps are far better than mags when ran external, in fact internal as well

extreme5450 · 12/19/2010, 02:35 AM

ehiem for sure

evsalty · 12/19/2010, 02:44 AM

Between those two options .... EHEIM.....but you could also look into the Sicce Syncra line and Tunze silence pumps. the Sicce versions are far cheaper. They are very quiet pumps as well as small and efficient. The 1262 uses 60watts I believe while the Sicce 3.0 and Tunze 1073.040 use 48w and 42w respectively for similar outputs.

In this pic you can see both of my 3.0's. one in the sump and one above the sump.

mcarroll · 12/19/2010, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dustin1300

I'd go with the Eheim. I have a Mag7 and is too loud and I'm not happy with the reliability. Its less than six months old and usually soak in vinegar every 6 weeks but still will not start after power outages some times. I am so sick of pulling out, taking apart, and getting impeller spinning again...

There's something wrong with either the pump, the impeller or your dosing routine. Including the one running my skimmer, there are bazillions of Mag 7's in active duty - a habitual noise or other issue would be very widely publicized.

My Mag 7 had been run dry in a past life, which ruined the original impeller and external pump housing. After replacing those parts, it's running (submersed) dead-silent - 24/7 - again. It's never failed to restart. :-)

I would consider contacting the company and talking with them about it.

Having said all that, I do think the Ehiem is going to be an even-higher-quality pump - I had a 1250 on my last skimmer. Mag's are pretty nice too though.

-Matt

P.S. Say hello to Ball State for me.

geo11 · 12/19/2010, 10:16 AM

I've heard the mag's are a little on the loud side...the eheim is dead silent...if noise is an issue

gte539f · 12/19/2010, 03:19 PM

Does running a pump externally cause more wear and tear than if it was submerged?

I'm currently using a Maxijet 1200 to run my reactor, but I only have a 30 gal DT (no sump) and want to clean things up and move the pump under the stand...

Everyones Hero · 12/19/2010, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcarroll

There's something wrong with either the pump, the impeller or your dosing routine. Including the one running my skimmer, there are bazillions of Mag 7's in active duty - a habitual noise or other issue would be very widely publicized.

My Mag 7 had been run dry in a past life, which ruined the original impeller and external pump housing. After replacing those parts, it's running (submersed) dead-silent - 24/7 - again. It's never failed to restart. :-)

I would consider contacting the company and talking with them about it.

Having said all that, I do think the Ehiem is going to be an even-higher-quality pump - I had a 1250 on my last skimmer. Mag's are pretty nice too though.

-Matt

P.S. Say hello to Ball State for me.

I have a feeling they're talking about the vibrations. The pump itself is silent- it's the vibrations that I can't stand.

Mine has been running for upwards of 2 years now & I only take it out 2 or 3 times a year to clean it.

sreefs · 12/19/2010, 07:27 PM

+1 on the Eheim.

Cuban Hogfish · 08/09/2011, 10:46 PM

I'm running 2mag 7 and 2 mag 9.5 in 4 different tanks they are silent and never fail !!!
since we are on the subject and I dont know how to start a new thread......do anybody has any input on this pump I seen on Ebay? NEW KOI POND SALT N FRESH AQUARIUM WATER PUMP 4755 GPH

pmrossetti · 08/10/2011, 12:50 AM

eheim

clsanchez77 · 08/10/2011, 12:19 PM

I use Mag 7s on my current tank and on my last reef tank. I would probably not use them again. The vibration issues were worked out by setting them on filter socks. They are noisy for a submersible, but still queiter than a fan cooled external. They put out considerable heat. Also, on one, the impellers keep breaking. While replacement impellers are cheap, its still a hassle I should not have to deal with on a regular basis. One another one I have had to replace the impeller housing twice. They are poor quality.

Have not used eheim before.

wildman926 · 08/10/2011, 12:56 PM

Everyone votes Eheim, but my two are very noisy. One, 1262, is brand new, just a few months old, and the other, 1260, is used, but slightly (they are the same pump, just different volutes). I have to put them on my Eheim knock off Catalina pump stands with rubber feet to quiet them down somewhat. But it is far from being silent. I bought them due to a poll like this, and their recommendations of reliability. If I can not silence them, they are going to be gone. My Catalina Pumps were almost dead silent.

Mj75 · 08/10/2011, 01:39 PM

I use to run a Mag 5 on my old 55g. Now I have an Eheim 1262. Eheim is virtually silent. My Mag was very reliable and never had issues. But if noise is an issue (which is for me) +1 on Eheim.

12/18/2010, 05:35 PM	#1
gte539f Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 99	External pump - Mag drive or Eheim? I'm looking for a pump to run externally for my GFO/Carbon reactor. I'm trying to decide between a Danner Mag Drive Supreme or an Eheim Universal pump. I'm leaning towards the Eheim even though it's a little more expensive. Anybody have experience with these?

12/18/2010, 06:56 PM	#4
reefermad619 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: The Salty D! Sandy let go of my eggo! Posts: 1,962	Internal, or external? Most people I know use a maxijet for their carbon/gfo reactors. __________________ Fish tanks and Chevys... And my cousin's Datsun too. Some call it paranoid. I call it prepared. You have more post than I do... You MUST be right then!

12/18/2010, 07:41 PM	#5
Dustin1300 Reefaholic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Carmel, IN Posts: 5,135	I'd go with the Eheim. I have a Mag7 and is too loud and I'm not happy with the reliability. Its less than six months old and usually soak in vinegar every 6 weeks but still will not start after power outages some times. I am so sick of pulling out, taking apart, and getting impeller spinning again... __________________ INDMAS President Check out my tank in the Large Tank Forums, "A Reefaholic's 1000+ Gallon Mixed Reef System Build"! Current Tank Info: 600 Gallon DT, 140 Gallon Grow Out Tank, 125 Gallon Sump, 90 Gallon Fuge, 200 Gallon Fish QT, 15 Gallon Frag QT

12/18/2010, 08:01 PM	#6
oscar.millan Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 2,003	+1 on the Eheim. It took a while to bite the bullet because it's pricey, but never looked back. __________________ "Let the future tell the truth and evaluate each one according to his work and accomplishments. The present is theirs; the future, for which I really worked, is mine." -Tesla Current Tank Info: 180g mixed reef, 90g rimless cube.

12/18/2010, 10:34 PM	#7
Dustin1300 Reefaholic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Carmel, IN Posts: 5,135	I've got an Eheim that I need to work on that I can't seem to get going. I've heard of some say that they last for years but acquired this with a tank I bought off CL so I'm not sure how well it was maintained __________________ INDMAS President Check out my tank in the Large Tank Forums, "A Reefaholic's 1000+ Gallon Mixed Reef System Build"! Current Tank Info: 600 Gallon DT, 140 Gallon Grow Out Tank, 125 Gallon Sump, 90 Gallon Fuge, 200 Gallon Fish QT, 15 Gallon Frag QT

12/18/2010, 06:06 PM	#2
Dex Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: CA Posts: 82	I would not run Mag-Drive pumps externally, as they benefit from the cooling provided when they are submerged. No experience with Eheim pumps, so I'll let someone else handle that one.. HTH

12/18/2010, 06:39 PM	#3
Everyones Hero Registered Member. Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Leonardtown, MD Posts: 1,154	You sure you don't mean internal because those are actually submersible pumps? I've been using a Mag7 as a return pump for a couple of years now. It's never given me any problems but the vibrations drive me crazy. I have heard that the Eheim pumps are very reliable & they're silent. I eventually plan to upgrade to an Eheim myself.

12/18/2010, 11:09 PM	#8
Jackie Blue Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Elgin, IL Posts: 333	I have en eheim pump that has been going strong for ten years. It is also much more quiet then my mag. __________________ How am I doing? Well I got ten fingers and toes. Current Tank Info: 120 Gallon. Custom made refugium sump 30 gallons.

12/18/2010, 11:55 PM	#9
noobtothereef Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: council bluffs iowa Posts: 1,530	eheim pumps are far better than mags when ran external, in fact internal as well

12/19/2010, 02:35 AM	#10
extreme5450 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Midwest Posts: 388	ehiem for sure

12/19/2010, 02:44 AM	#11
evsalty hmmmmmm Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NW Mesa, AZ Posts: 3,531	Between those two options .... EHEIM.....but you could also look into the Sicce Syncra line and Tunze silence pumps. the Sicce versions are far cheaper. They are very quiet pumps as well as small and efficient. The 1262 uses 60watts I believe while the Sicce 3.0 and Tunze 1073.040 use 48w and 42w respectively for similar outputs. In this pic you can see both of my 3.0's. one in the sump and one above the sump.

12/19/2010, 10:16 AM	#13
geo11 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 81	I've heard the mag's are a little on the loud side...the eheim is dead silent...if noise is an issue

12/19/2010, 03:19 PM	#14
gte539f Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 99	Does running a pump externally cause more wear and tear than if it was submerged? I'm currently using a Maxijet 1200 to run my reactor, but I only have a 30 gal DT (no sump) and want to clean things up and move the pump under the stand...

12/19/2010, 07:27 PM	#16
sreefs Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Pa Posts: 754	+1 on the Eheim.

08/09/2011, 10:46 PM	#17
Cuban Hogfish Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Tampa Bay,Fl Posts: 7	I'm running 2mag 7 and 2 mag 9.5 in 4 different tanks they are silent and never fail !!! since we are on the subject and I dont know how to start a new thread......do anybody has any input on this pump I seen on Ebay? NEW KOI POND SALT N FRESH AQUARIUM WATER PUMP 4755 GPH

08/10/2011, 12:50 AM	#18
pmrossetti Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Cali. Posts: 3,199	eheim

08/10/2011, 12:19 PM	#19
clsanchez77 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Metairie, La Posts: 822	I use Mag 7s on my current tank and on my last reef tank. I would probably not use them again. The vibration issues were worked out by setting them on filter socks. They are noisy for a submersible, but still queiter than a fan cooled external. They put out considerable heat. Also, on one, the impellers keep breaking. While replacement impellers are cheap, its still a hassle I should not have to deal with on a regular basis. One another one I have had to replace the impeller housing twice. They are poor quality. Have not used eheim before.

08/10/2011, 12:56 PM	#20
wildman926 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: CTX Posts: 2,904	Everyone votes Eheim, but my two are very noisy. One, 1262, is brand new, just a few months old, and the other, 1260, is used, but slightly (they are the same pump, just different volutes). I have to put them on my Eheim knock off Catalina pump stands with rubber feet to quiet them down somewhat. But it is far from being silent. I bought them due to a poll like this, and their recommendations of reliability. If I can not silence them, they are going to be gone. My Catalina Pumps were almost dead silent.

08/10/2011, 01:39 PM	#21
Mj75 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 75	I use to run a Mag 5 on my old 55g. Now I have an Eheim 1262. Eheim is virtually silent. My Mag was very reliable and never had issues. But if noise is an issue (which is for me) +1 on Eheim.

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