Ehiem 1250 and 1048 pump users... chime in

ek9vboi · 09/27/2006, 10:42 PM

Hey guys/gals that use the Ehiem 1250 and 1048 pumps. I recently ordered my Eheim 1250 but have yet to hook it up. The problem that occurred is that it uses the metric system as a way of identifying the input and output. I read on Marine Depot that the inlet is 3/4" and the output is 1/2", so I was going to use a 1/2" to 3/4" MTP to slip fitting so it could be hard plumbed. The fitting for the outlet on the 1250 is "1/2"" but it fitting I got from Home Depo/Lowes will not fit, it is simply too big. The 1/2" will fit on the inlet, so I am thinking for the outlet it is really 1/4" and not 1/2".

My options:

1) Look everywhere to this 1/4" to 1/2" or 3/4". â€“ I gave up on that already.

2) Use 1/2" flexible hose from the pump and connect it to a 1/2" male barb adaptor. And from there it will be hard plumbed to my display tank.

Seeing that most people say go with 3/4" plumbing for the amount I am returning to the tank, will this be ok? The 1/2" piece of hose will be less then 1foot. I am sure that it will cause a LITTLE stain on the pump due to the small diameter hose. Other then that will there be any loss in GPH? Would it make my pump louder???

hahnmeister · 09/27/2006, 11:38 PM

I use the barb adapter to attach 1/2" tubing to the outlet. Sure, its not 3/4", but after you take away head pressure, its only about 200gph going through it anyways, and 1/2" tubing is plenty for that. Going up to 3/4" wont change much.

I think alot of people look at the outlet of the pump and think 'one size larger', which is often the case with Mag-Drives and some other pumps. But the outlet on the 1250 is pretty large in the first place considering the output of the pump. I just run 1/2"... it works fine. My cousin uses that as well on his 180g (all he uses for the overflow is a 1250 as well).

ek9vboi · 09/28/2006, 09:42 AM

I am disappointed after finishing the return pump. Flow is really low so I am thinking of just go to 1/2" vinyl hose connected to a U tube. Maybe it will give me a little bit more flow since its more pressure.

mnestroy · 09/28/2006, 10:03 AM

Dont tell me the 1250 is to low

Just yesterday I returned my 1262 to Marine Depot in exchange for a 1250... it should be here Friday.

In another post, i was discusing usign the 1262 and everyone said it would be to much flow.

ek9vboi · 09/28/2006, 10:22 AM

Maybe its low because I have it going from 1/2" vinyl hose to 3/4" hard plumbing with about 5 90 degree bends and then out to loc lines with 2 more 90 degrees and then out to 2 x 1/2" outlets.

I think there is a problem... thats why I might be going to vinyl hose for the return. I have to try some things, everyone says its a good and strong pump.

sjm817 · 09/28/2006, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mnestroy
Dont tell me the 1250 is to low

Just yesterday I returned my 1262 to Marine Depot in exchange for a 1250... it should be here Friday.

In another post, i was discusing usign the 1262 and everyone said it would be to much flow.

There is an enormous difference between a 1250 and 1262. I forget, this is for a 40B? I guess "too low" would need to be defined. If the pump has enough flow to move the water between the display and sump, it has "enough" flow. That is all a return pump needs to do. The thing is, in an Eheim, there aren't a lot of models. There are significant flow differences between a 1250/1260/1262. You may be in a situation where you pick one that is either on the low side or high side of the desired flow rate. I think a 1250 is a good pump for a 40B.

MJAnderson · 09/28/2006, 12:04 PM

Eric,

I bought the 1250 and thought it was too low too. I was getting film in my sump. I have a 3/4" return line, so I used the 1/2" barb and added a 1/2 - 3/4" barb and ran 3/4" flex tube.

It dribbled out of my loc line. I went back to the Mag 7. Not sure what I'm going to do now.

gary smith · 09/28/2006, 12:07 PM

hi there, what are you using these pumps for sump return or something else the 1048 is only 600 litres per hour and the 1250 is only 1200 litres per hour i have used all the eheim pumps and the true return pumps are the 1260 =2400 litres per hour and the 1262 =3400 theres also the 1264 =4500 but i don`t think thats available yet i hope i have been of help cheers gary

crispyreef · 09/28/2006, 02:02 PM

I'm using the 1250 on my DIY cal reactor and yes, I had to use a little piece of tubing so I then could hard line it.

Siffy · 09/28/2006, 02:24 PM

ek9vboi,

Are you certain the output is metric? I ask because mine looks to be 3/8" when measured, but I haven't found anything usable (constructed of reef safe material) in that size.

ek9vboi · 09/28/2006, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Siffy
ek9vboi,

Are you certain the output is metric? I ask because mine looks to be 3/8" when measured, but I haven't found anything usable (constructed of reef safe material) in that size.

From looking at the dr. foster and smith website/mag. the tubing is in metric. But from what I have been reading, people have said 3/8" as well.

As for my return, I am going to do 1/2" all the way up to the u-tube. this will eliminate 5 90 degrees, barbs, ball valves and unions.

ek9vboi · 09/28/2006, 03:17 PM

Did I mention I have 2 outlets?

crumbletop · 09/28/2006, 03:29 PM

I use a 1250 as a return pump on my 90. My guess is it is pushing about 160 gph into the display and thus back through the overflow. Film in the sump does develop over time but goes away during my biweekly water changes. That may change once I get my new skimmer going in there. I have never really worried about the thin slime layer in the sump, though. I don't have any problem algae, and have never had any cyano. My pH is fine and my nitrate and phosphate are 0 so I never thought much of it.

jmp998 · 09/28/2006, 04:06 PM

Re: 1250 outlet size

I bought a 3/8" MPT to 1/2" barb adapter to screw into the outlet on mine and it fits perfectly.

skyfireblaze · 09/29/2006, 11:50 AM

Concerning plumbing up the 1250, with its effects on flow rate, here's my 1250 flow rate test thread.

Also, if you want to get really "crazy" and use metric fittings, here's some more info -- Jon's notes on metric fittings for the Ehiem 1250.

Hope this helps, or at least wasn't a waste of your time ...

Mike75 · 09/29/2006, 11:39 PM

Interesting reading. I've been looking at getting two Eheims - one for a Reef Devil, and one for a return on my 58. Possibly a 1048 and a 1260, though it would be nice if a 1250 would do the trick. Not to hijack the thread, but does anyone have any thoughts about this?

ek9vboi · 09/30/2006, 12:00 AM

Thanks for the info... jack away, all yours now.

09/27/2006, 10:42 PM	#1
ek9vboi Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South FL Posts: 3,027	Ehiem 1250 and 1048 pump users... chime in Hey guys/gals that use the Ehiem 1250 and 1048 pumps. I recently ordered my Eheim 1250 but have yet to hook it up. The problem that occurred is that it uses the metric system as a way of identifying the input and output. I read on Marine Depot that the inlet is 3/4" and the output is 1/2", so I was going to use a 1/2" to 3/4" MTP to slip fitting so it could be hard plumbed. The fitting for the outlet on the 1250 is "1/2"" but it fitting I got from Home Depo/Lowes will not fit, it is simply too big. The 1/2" will fit on the inlet, so I am thinking for the outlet it is really 1/4" and not 1/2". My options: 1) Look everywhere to this 1/4" to 1/2" or 3/4". â€“ I gave up on that already. 2) Use 1/2" flexible hose from the pump and connect it to a 1/2" male barb adaptor. And from there it will be hard plumbed to my display tank. Seeing that most people say go with 3/4" plumbing for the amount I am returning to the tank, will this be ok? The 1/2" piece of hose will be less then 1foot. I am sure that it will cause a LITTLE stain on the pump due to the small diameter hose. Other then that will there be any loss in GPH? Would it make my pump louder???

09/28/2006, 12:07 PM	#8
gary smith Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: skinningrove Posts: 22	hi there, what are you using these pumps for sump return or something else the 1048 is only 600 litres per hour and the 1250 is only 1200 litres per hour i have used all the eheim pumps and the true return pumps are the 1260 =2400 litres per hour and the 1262 =3400 theres also the 1264 =4500 but i don`t think thats available yet i hope i have been of help cheers gary __________________ g w smith Current Tank Info: 100 gall marine

09/28/2006, 02:24 PM	#10
Siffy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: AL Posts: 1,047	ek9vboi, Are you certain the output is metric? I ask because mine looks to be 3/8" when measured, but I haven't found anything usable (constructed of reef safe material) in that size. __________________ "When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True Story." Current Tank Info: 29g Mixed Reef with Metal Halide

09/28/2006, 03:29 PM	#13
crumbletop Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 4,718	I use a 1250 as a return pump on my 90. My guess is it is pushing about 160 gph into the display and thus back through the overflow. Film in the sump does develop over time but goes away during my biweekly water changes. That may change once I get my new skimmer going in there. I have never really worried about the thin slime layer in the sump, though. I don't have any problem algae, and have never had any cyano. My pH is fine and my nitrate and phosphate are 0 so I never thought much of it. __________________ "Misers get up early in the morning; and burglars, I am informed, get up the night before." - GK Chesterton Current Tank Info: 90 gallon AGA RR. 20 gal sump. 6x54W T5. AquaController Jr.

09/29/2006, 11:50 AM	#15
skyfireblaze Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 754	Concerning plumbing up the 1250, with its effects on flow rate, here's my 1250 flow rate test thread. Also, if you want to get really "crazy" and use metric fittings, here's some more info -- Jon's notes on metric fittings for the Ehiem 1250. Hope this helps, or at least wasn't a waste of your time ... __________________ Jon Current Tank Info: 37g (24"x18"x21") - Eheim 1250 Return Pump - Deltec AP600 Skimmer - 250w MH & 2x24w T5 (Maristar) - 2 MaxiJet 1200's (for now) - Tunze Osmolator ATO

09/27/2006, 11:38 PM	#2
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	I use the barb adapter to attach 1/2" tubing to the outlet. Sure, its not 3/4", but after you take away head pressure, its only about 200gph going through it anyways, and 1/2" tubing is plenty for that. Going up to 3/4" wont change much. I think alot of people look at the outlet of the pump and think 'one size larger', which is often the case with Mag-Drives and some other pumps. But the outlet on the 1250 is pretty large in the first place considering the output of the pump. I just run 1/2"... it works fine. My cousin uses that as well on his 180g (all he uses for the overflow is a 1250 as well).

09/28/2006, 09:42 AM	#3
ek9vboi Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South FL Posts: 3,027	I am disappointed after finishing the return pump. Flow is really low so I am thinking of just go to 1/2" vinyl hose connected to a U tube. Maybe it will give me a little bit more flow since its more pressure.

09/28/2006, 10:03 AM	#4
mnestroy Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Aurora, IL Posts: 2,216	Dont tell me the 1250 is to low Just yesterday I returned my 1262 to Marine Depot in exchange for a 1250... it should be here Friday. In another post, i was discusing usign the 1262 and everyone said it would be to much flow.

09/28/2006, 10:22 AM	#5
ek9vboi Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South FL Posts: 3,027	Maybe its low because I have it going from 1/2" vinyl hose to 3/4" hard plumbing with about 5 90 degree bends and then out to loc lines with 2 more 90 degrees and then out to 2 x 1/2" outlets. I think there is a problem... thats why I might be going to vinyl hose for the return. I have to try some things, everyone says its a good and strong pump.

09/28/2006, 12:04 PM	#7
MJAnderson Premium Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: East Bay, CA Posts: 2,633	Eric, I bought the 1250 and thought it was too low too. I was getting film in my sump. I have a 3/4" return line, so I used the 1/2" barb and added a 1/2 - 3/4" barb and ran 3/4" flex tube. It dribbled out of my loc line. I went back to the Mag 7. Not sure what I'm going to do now.

09/28/2006, 02:02 PM	#9
crispyreef Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: North Bay Posts: 1,189	I'm using the 1250 on my DIY cal reactor and yes, I had to use a little piece of tubing so I then could hard line it.

09/28/2006, 03:17 PM	#12
ek9vboi Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South FL Posts: 3,027	Did I mention I have 2 outlets?

09/28/2006, 04:06 PM	#14
jmp998 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 97	Re: 1250 outlet size I bought a 3/8" MPT to 1/2" barb adapter to screw into the outlet on mine and it fits perfectly.

09/29/2006, 11:39 PM	#16
Mike75 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: North Cumberland, RI Posts: 87	Interesting reading. I've been looking at getting two Eheims - one for a Reef Devil, and one for a return on my 58. Possibly a 1048 and a 1260, though it would be nice if a 1250 would do the trick. Not to hijack the thread, but does anyone have any thoughts about this?

09/30/2006, 12:00 AM	#17
ek9vboi Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South FL Posts: 3,027	Thanks for the info... jack away, all yours now.