External Pumps

scottsr · 08/25/2009, 12:53 PM

Right now I use a RIO 3100 for my return pump; I am considering changing over to an external pump to cut down on the heat. I need 600gph return and I was looking at a EHEIM 1260 hobby pump, it pumps 635gph and can be used externally. Has anyone used these? Do they still transfer heat to the water? Is it worth the effort to switch? My water temp in the return area is 82F, DT not sure, need to monitor it. I will have 2 90s in the return and I saw a head loss calculator that I can't find now.
Scott

MIKE HUNT · 08/25/2009, 05:03 PM

Eheim's are known as one of the best , they are virtually silent. The connections are metric so you have to use rubber tubing to connect. Mags make a decent pump for a low price. I reccommend Sequence pumps. Ocean Runner is another pump you should look at.

Palancarpets · 08/25/2009, 05:07 PM

Make sure you try to match your pump the the head pressure you need. See if you can find a pump curve chart on the pumps you are considering.

billdogg · 08/25/2009, 06:27 PM

IMO, the 1260 will not be enough, If you want to go eheim, go with the 1262 - after headloss, you'll be right in the ballpark. That being said - i run a 1262 in sump. I have a dart on closed loop that is DEAD silent

James77 · 08/25/2009, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by scottsr
Right now I use a RIO 3100 for my return pump; I am considering changing over to an external pump to cut down on the heat. I need 600gph return and I was looking at a EHEIM 1260 hobby pump, it pumps 635gph and can be used externally. Has anyone used these? Do they still transfer heat to the water? Is it worth the effort to switch? My water temp in the return area is 82F, DT not sure, need to monitor it. I will have 2 90s in the return and I saw a head loss calculator that I can't find now.
Scott

The Eheims are water cooled pumps, whether in or out of the water. If you see any effect at all on the temp, it will be very small.

James77 · 08/25/2009, 08:01 PM

The ones that do not tranfer heat are usually fan-cooled, so they add a bit of noise.

scottsr · 08/26/2009, 10:13 PM

Who sells an external pump that has a fan?

Typlus5 · 08/26/2009, 11:14 PM

Iwaki...the fan is at the rear of the pump and blows air over the body...at least on the MD55 RLT I have for sale.

scottsr · 08/26/2009, 11:29 PM

How much $ and gph?

Macimage · 08/27/2009, 08:43 AM

The Iwaki's use a lot of electricity. I would recommend the Reeflo Gold Series external pumps.

mcrist · 08/27/2009, 11:54 AM

Most of the Iwaki pumps are pressure rated and they do consume more electricity but are built to outlast any tank. ReeFlo pumps are great pumps too but designed to be more energy efficient and tend to require more maintenance. If you don’t need the pressure rated pump then I agree that you can look at ReeFlo. I also love Eheim’s pumps and since they can be placed in or out of the water you have a lot of flexibility for the future. If you want a top of the line pump then look at Red Dragon.

scottsr · 08/27/2009, 01:56 PM

I have not been able to find a reeflo pump that goes as low as 600gph.

mcrist · 08/28/2009, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by scottsr
I have not been able to find a reeflo pump that goes as low as 600gph.

The lowest flow model that I am aware if is the Snapper. It’s rated for 2500 gph but you can dial back the flow and it doesn't hurt these pumps. I've never done it myself but I have a lot of people that do it. The only thing that would concern me is that you would be dialing it back a lot so I would contact the manufacturer first.

08/25/2009, 12:53 PM	#1
scottsr Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 112	External Pumps Right now I use a RIO 3100 for my return pump; I am considering changing over to an external pump to cut down on the heat. I need 600gph return and I was looking at a EHEIM 1260 hobby pump, it pumps 635gph and can be used externally. Has anyone used these? Do they still transfer heat to the water? Is it worth the effort to switch? My water temp in the return area is 82F, DT not sure, need to monitor it. I will have 2 90s in the return and I saw a head loss calculator that I can't find now. Scott

08/25/2009, 05:07 PM	#3
Palancarpets Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Lake Charles, Louisiana Posts: 177	Make sure you try to match your pump the the head pressure you need. See if you can find a pump curve chart on the pumps you are considering. __________________ Louis

08/25/2009, 06:27 PM	#4
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	IMO, the 1260 will not be enough, If you want to go eheim, go with the 1262 - after headloss, you'll be right in the ballpark. That being said - i run a 1262 in sump. I have a dart on closed loop that is DEAD silent __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

08/25/2009, 08:01 PM	#6
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	The ones that do not tranfer heat are usually fan-cooled, so they add a bit of noise. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

08/26/2009, 11:14 PM	#8
Typlus5 Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Gonzales Louisiana Posts: 966	Iwaki...the fan is at the rear of the pump and blows air over the body...at least on the MD55 RLT I have for sale. __________________ TY I'm sure there's a way...and I have the will Current Tank Info: 110 Reef Savvy rimless, 40B sump, Current EFlux Return, XR15 Pros w/Reef Link, BK Mini 180 skimmer, MP40wES...driven by Apex

08/25/2009, 05:03 PM	#2
MIKE HUNT Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Atlanta Posts: 92	Eheim's are known as one of the best , they are virtually silent. The connections are metric so you have to use rubber tubing to connect. Mags make a decent pump for a low price. I reccommend Sequence pumps. Ocean Runner is another pump you should look at.

08/26/2009, 10:13 PM	#7
scottsr Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 112	Who sells an external pump that has a fan?

08/26/2009, 11:29 PM	#9
scottsr Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 112	How much $ and gph?

08/27/2009, 08:43 AM	#10
Macimage Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Quartz Hill Posts: 4,078	The Iwaki's use a lot of electricity. I would recommend the Reeflo Gold Series external pumps.

08/27/2009, 11:54 AM	#11
mcrist Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Allentown, Pennsylvania Posts: 1,598	Most of the Iwaki pumps are pressure rated and they do consume more electricity but are built to outlast any tank. ReeFlo pumps are great pumps too but designed to be more energy efficient and tend to require more maintenance. If you don’t need the pressure rated pump then I agree that you can look at ReeFlo. I also love Eheim’s pumps and since they can be placed in or out of the water you have a lot of flexibility for the future. If you want a top of the line pump then look at Red Dragon. __________________ Mark Current Tank Info: 450 Gallon Peninsula

08/27/2009, 01:56 PM	#12
scottsr Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 112	I have not been able to find a reeflo pump that goes as low as 600gph.