Submersible vs external sump pump

mskvarenina · 01/20/2014, 08:41 AM

I'm probably answering my own question here but are there any advantages or disadvantage of using a internal vs external pump? I know the external pump will put less heat into the tank but is there anything else?

My sump will be in the basement and I'm looking to pump 10-15 feet back up the tank.

sculptor · 01/20/2014, 12:19 PM

Most internal pumps except the biggest mags will not be able to pump up 15'.

Dmorty217 · 01/20/2014, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sculptor

Most internal pumps except the biggest mags will not be able to pump up 15'.

+1 noise would be the other. You should look at pressure rated pumps if you want to keep the pump on the smaller side

julie180 · 01/20/2014, 07:05 PM

No chance of a leaks if your pump is already in the water.

syrinx · 01/20/2014, 07:14 PM

Either is fine. External pumps such as iwaki or little giant are very reliable if cleaned and oiled. I have two iwakis that are from 97 and 98 that are just as strong and quiet as day one. I high quality internal pump like ehiem or magdrive can also be quite reliable. For basment use- I tend to always use external-because the whirring noise does not matter. I have never had a purpose built external pump leak- but ones that can be used either way- are best used in water. Most water leaks are not from the pump, rather from the plumbing to it. A mag drive (like my 18) can put all the water out of the sump and on the floor in short order, if a fitting gives way!

mskvarenina · 01/20/2014, 08:38 PM

I had 2 nikce Iwaki's from my last tank (over 10 years ago). Not sure if I can find them but if I can, maybe a quick cleanup and brush change and I'll be all set to go.

dppitone · 01/21/2014, 02:10 AM

In large part they are the same and can do the same things with the same specs. The practical differences are apparent, heat, leaks, space usage in the tank, accessibility.

01/20/2014, 08:41 AM	#1
mskvarenina Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 286	Submersible vs external sump pump I'm probably answering my own question here but are there any advantages or disadvantage of using a internal vs external pump? I know the external pump will put less heat into the tank but is there anything else? My sump will be in the basement and I'm looking to pump 10-15 feet back up the tank.

01/20/2014, 07:14 PM	#5
syrinx Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: champaign Posts: 3,160	Either is fine. External pumps such as iwaki or little giant are very reliable if cleaned and oiled. I have two iwakis that are from 97 and 98 that are just as strong and quiet as day one. I high quality internal pump like ehiem or magdrive can also be quite reliable. For basment use- I tend to always use external-because the whirring noise does not matter. I have never had a purpose built external pump leak- but ones that can be used either way- are best used in water. Most water leaks are not from the pump, rather from the plumbing to it. A mag drive (like my 18) can put all the water out of the sump and on the floor in short order, if a fitting gives way! __________________ My views are based on 49years as an aquarist, 25 years as a pro reef consultant, 10 years of owning a LFS, and the results of thousands of customers tanks. But I am always learning.

01/20/2014, 12:19 PM	#2
sculptor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: North Carolina Posts: 54	Most internal pumps except the biggest mags will not be able to pump up 15'.

01/20/2014, 07:05 PM	#4
julie180 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Raymore, MO Posts: 2,556	No chance of a leaks if your pump is already in the water.

01/20/2014, 08:38 PM	#6
mskvarenina Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 286	I had 2 nikce Iwaki's from my last tank (over 10 years ago). Not sure if I can find them but if I can, maybe a quick cleanup and brush change and I'll be all set to go.

01/21/2014, 02:10 AM	#7
dppitone Registered Member. Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Queen Village, Phila. Posts: 1,697	In large part they are the same and can do the same things with the same specs. The practical differences are apparent, heat, leaks, space usage in the tank, accessibility.