what do you use for a return pump

vdhillon2 · 02/06/2008, 11:26 AM

Hi,
I have a Rio 3100 for a return from my fuge. I just added some corals and realize that i need more water flow. What do you use? I need to produce the least amount of heat. I was thinking of maybe a Mag drive 12 or 18...? is there such a thing as too much power?
thanks

cmc5dc · 02/06/2008, 11:27 AM

I would look into Eheim....known for their quality and reliability.

AZDesertRat · 02/06/2008, 11:42 AM

Ocean Runner or Eheim, both are much more efficient, quieter and create less heat than a Mag.

gabe3d · 02/06/2008, 12:19 PM

If you need more flow in the tank why don't you just add some propeller powerheads? It'll get you more flow, easy to install, more effecient, and a lot less heat then a mag12 or 18.

McCrary · 02/06/2008, 12:26 PM

I run an Eheim 1262, great pump and virtually maintenance free.

DarG · 02/06/2008, 01:18 PM

My return pump is external. I use a PanWorld 150PS. Pressure rated pump, I have a chiller and was initially considering using eductors. If you can use an external pump, I would. Less heat transfer than a large submersible. If I didnt have the chiller inline on the return I would stay within the recommended 3 - 5X turnover through the sump and go with propellar type pumps in tank for circulation. Koralias, Tunze Nanos or Vortech and controllable Tunze if you have the money.

Other than that, I second the Eheim if you need a submersible.

moo0o · 02/06/2008, 03:05 PM

Eheim 1262 soon =). for now though it is a mag drive 5. i agree..for flow you should get powerheads in that tank instead of upping your return pump.

Jefe12234 · 02/06/2008, 03:27 PM

If you need more flow, then use powerheads. They're much more efficient than a return pump that has to fight against gravity and plumbing. Also, all submersible pumps generate heat in proportion to the wattage they run at (eg. a 100w pump produces twice as much heat as a 50w pump), so you can just look at the wattage to determine how hot it runs. External pumps are usually air cooled, so some of that heat goes into the air rather than the water. That said, I run a Mag7 and Mag9.5 on my 40g and 54g tanks respectively and these are really a bit too powerful. My new 120g will have a Panworld 50px-x because it has to push through a chiller in my basement. After losses I hope to have around 500-600gph.

jubjub · 02/06/2008, 03:54 PM

i ran a 9.5mag on my 55gal and it was to much....i just got a 75gal tank and i plan to run the same mag 9.5 on that...the guy gave me a mag 18 but i tested it...and depending on your plumbing it didnt make much of a difference just louder/more power consumption....i found it to be a waste and i found it quite overkill in all honesty.

rsw686 · 02/06/2008, 04:45 PM

I tend to stay away from Mag pumps. I've always found them to be noisy. I use mine for water changes now. Eheim or Ocean Runner make great pumps. I personally use an OceanRunner 3500 on my 90 gal tank.

KMP · 02/06/2008, 04:48 PM

OceanRunner 2500

cmc5dc · 02/07/2008, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DarG
My return pump is external. I use a PanWorld 150PS. Pressure rated pump, I have a chiller and was initially considering using eductors. If you can use an external pump, I would. Less heat transfer than a large submersible. If I didnt have the chiller inline on the return I would stay within the recommended 3 - 5X turnover through the sump and go with propellar type pumps in tank for circulation. Koralias, Tunze Nanos or Vortech and controllable Tunze if you have the money.

Other than that, I second the Eheim if you need a submersible.

You've had better luck than me. I have 2 Iwaki 70 and 2 Panworld, my Iwaki keep going on the other hand 1 Panworld need repair and other had stopped

an411 · 02/07/2008, 03:58 PM

Went from mag to ehiem and glad I made the switch alot quieter.

DarG · 02/07/2008, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cmc5dc
You've had better luck than me. I have 2 Iwaki 70 and 2 Panworld, my Iwaki keep going on the other hand 1 Panworld need repair and other had stopped

Sucks for you

I have 3 PanWorld manufactured pumps ... 1 Panworld, 1 Blueline and 1 Coralife. Using two right now. Relatively quiet, strong running pumps. Had them for about a year. The two smaller ones are of decent/average build quality. The larger one, 150Ps is a well built, heavy pump for the price. Not a single issue with any of them. All are the pressure rated line.

moo0o · 02/07/2008, 04:23 PM

my eheim comes tomorrow, i am so excited !

hansmatt · 02/07/2008, 05:43 PM

you'll be happy!

BZOFIQ · 02/08/2008, 08:13 AM

MAgs add heat (lots of it)

02/06/2008, 11:26 AM	#1
vdhillon2 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 372	what do you use for a return pump Hi, I have a Rio 3100 for a return from my fuge. I just added some corals and realize that i need more water flow. What do you use? I need to produce the least amount of heat. I was thinking of maybe a Mag drive 12 or 18...? is there such a thing as too much power? thanks

02/06/2008, 12:26 PM	#5
McCrary Can't Stop Time Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,079	I run an Eheim 1262, great pump and virtually maintenance free. __________________ Matt Patience is the best remedy for every trouble. Titus Maccius Plautus (254 BC - 184 BC), Rudens

02/06/2008, 03:27 PM	#8
Jefe12234 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: MN Posts: 885	If you need more flow, then use powerheads. They're much more efficient than a return pump that has to fight against gravity and plumbing. Also, all submersible pumps generate heat in proportion to the wattage they run at (eg. a 100w pump produces twice as much heat as a 50w pump), so you can just look at the wattage to determine how hot it runs. External pumps are usually air cooled, so some of that heat goes into the air rather than the water. That said, I run a Mag7 and Mag9.5 on my 40g and 54g tanks respectively and these are really a bit too powerful. My new 120g will have a Panworld 50px-x because it has to push through a chiller in my basement. After losses I hope to have around 500-600gph. __________________ Serenity now!!!

02/06/2008, 03:54 PM	#9
jubjub Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: vacaville, cali Posts: 2,698	i ran a 9.5mag on my 55gal and it was to much....i just got a 75gal tank and i plan to run the same mag 9.5 on that...the guy gave me a mag 18 but i tested it...and depending on your plumbing it didnt make much of a difference just louder/more power consumption....i found it to be a waste and i found it quite overkill in all honesty. __________________ "The world holds two classes of men - intelligent men without religion, and religious men without intelligence." - Abu Ala Al-Maari

02/06/2008, 04:45 PM	#10
rsw686 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: VA Posts: 549	I tend to stay away from Mag pumps. I've always found them to be noisy. I use mine for water changes now. Eheim or Ocean Runner make great pumps. I personally use an OceanRunner 3500 on my 90 gal tank. __________________ The Reptile File Forum (Google It) Discussion forum dedicated to geckos, lizards, snakes, turtles, amphibians, and other reptiles. Current Tank Info: 90gal reef w/ 20 gal sump, Aquactinics TX5, Octopus NW150, AquaController Jr.

02/06/2008, 11:27 AM	#2
cmc5dc Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Central California Posts: 351	I would look into Eheim....known for their quality and reliability.

02/06/2008, 11:42 AM	#3
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Ocean Runner or Eheim, both are much more efficient, quieter and create less heat than a Mag.

02/06/2008, 12:19 PM	#4
gabe3d Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Elk Grove/Sunnyvale/Shibuya Posts: 1,605	If you need more flow in the tank why don't you just add some propeller powerheads? It'll get you more flow, easy to install, more effecient, and a lot less heat then a mag12 or 18.

02/06/2008, 01:18 PM	#6
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	My return pump is external. I use a PanWorld 150PS. Pressure rated pump, I have a chiller and was initially considering using eductors. If you can use an external pump, I would. Less heat transfer than a large submersible. If I didnt have the chiller inline on the return I would stay within the recommended 3 - 5X turnover through the sump and go with propellar type pumps in tank for circulation. Koralias, Tunze Nanos or Vortech and controllable Tunze if you have the money. Other than that, I second the Eheim if you need a submersible.

02/06/2008, 03:05 PM	#7
moo0o Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SJ,CA Posts: 1,694	Eheim 1262 soon =). for now though it is a mag drive 5. i agree..for flow you should get powerheads in that tank instead of upping your return pump.

02/06/2008, 04:48 PM	#11
KMP Wag More; Bark Less Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: NorCal Posts: 3,602	OceanRunner 2500 __________________ Kenny Current Tank Info: 70g Shallow Reef [Home]; 15g Starfire Cube [Office]

02/07/2008, 03:58 PM	#13
an411 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Derby CT Posts: 2,861	Went from mag to ehiem and glad I made the switch alot quieter.

02/07/2008, 04:23 PM	#15
moo0o Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SJ,CA Posts: 1,694	my eheim comes tomorrow, i am so excited !

02/07/2008, 05:43 PM	#16
hansmatt Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Western Wisconsin Posts: 681	you'll be happy!

02/08/2008, 08:13 AM	#17
BZOFIQ Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 446	MAgs add heat (lots of it)