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External Pump Advice Needed - URGENT!

asonitez

asonitez

I did something stupid and dropped and cracked a sump I was building by dropping the MAG 18 pump inside of it while dealing with the barb fittings. I was quick and had another sump on stand by and I'm getting it drilled today. I need some help though with dealing with external pumps!!!!

Currently using a Mag 18 Submersed. I'm going to get my sump drilled today and need a external pump.

Available I have a Little Giant 3 MDQX-SC
Iwaki WMD 30R(T)
I need the pump to be able to run a manifold powering 3 reactos
1 BioPellet Reactor (NextReef SMR1XL)
1 Carbon Reactor (NEextReef MR1)
1 Phosguard Reactor (NextReef MR1)
I have a 27" tall Tank
2 OverFlows... Each return is split into 2 loclines for a total of 4 locline 3/4" Nozzle.

I'm changing sumps because of HEAT generated by the MAG 18 on such a small water volume.
 
steamman

steamman

What size is your tank?
What size are your two overflows?
How high are the returns to your DT from your sump?
Does your return pump power your skimmer too or is that gravity fed from your overflow?
What kind and how many powerheads are you using in you DT?
 
TanksNStuff

TanksNStuff

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
Why don't you just run the Mag 18 externally? Just hook a suction hose up to it and run it into the sump. As long as the suction hose is full when it starts, you won't have any issues with running dry. Even if it's dry, if you have a short hose (ie run it through a bulkhead near the bottom of the sump and keep the pump a few inches away) then it should be able to suck it fast enough to prevent any problems.
 
steamman

steamman

What is not to trust? Before I changed to an Iwaki pump on my 150 I used to run a Mag 18 for my return externally. I have been running a mag 5 for my downdraft skimmer externally for a couple years now. Personally I have never had a problem with running them externally.
 
downbeach

downbeach

steamman said:
What is not to trust? Before I changed to an Iwaki pump on my 150 I used to run a Mag 18 for my return externally. I have been running a mag 5 for my downdraft skimmer externally for a couple years now. Personally I have never had a problem with running them externally.
Click to expand...

I don't have any personal experience, since I've never wanted to tempt fate, but have read a number of posts, over the years, on line about them developing leaks. Although there may be a few, maybe a couple of the Eheim models that are built well enough, I'm not confident that any pump made for "internal/external" use can be relied on as much as one that is designed for "external only" use, i.e. Iwaki. I'm not saying that they aren't used, and many people don't have a problem, I'm saying that I'm not willing to take that chance.
 
TanksNStuff

TanksNStuff

Officer Emeritus
Officer Emeritus
I've never heard of a mag leaking, but then again I haven't researched feedback on those who have either. I guess it's something to worry about, but they are designed to be internal or external... so it will work at least temporarily.

You could even do it without drilling any holes for bulkheads and running the intake hose over the sump wall if you want. Just make sure you fill the hose with enough water to fill up the pump, then plug the end with your finger/hand as you put the end under water in the sump... then turn on the pump as you remove your hand. Once it's running, without sucking air... you should be good to go.

This would obviously just be a way to get your sump back online asap.
 
asonitez

asonitez

I got my sump drilled and scored a Panworld 55 Pump. Should be good for 1160 GPH and over 1K @ 10Ft of head


What size is your tank?
150 w/ 40 Breeder Sump
48 Long 24 Wide 27 High
Stand is 38" High

What size are your two overflows?

Over flows are Standard Megaflow 1" Over flows

How high are the returns to your DT from your sump?

Pump to T is less than 2ft Each Leg Run of the T run's through 3/4" Tubing to a Barb and then up 27" to the Return Locline
Does your return pump power your skimmer too or is that gravity fed from your overflow?

Return Pump ONLY powers Return and 3 Reactors (NextReef MR1 X2 and MR1XL)

What kind and how many powerheads are you using in you DT?
DT is using Vortech MP40's and 3X Hydor Koralia Evo 3's 1050gph Each
 
asonitez

asonitez

steamman said:
Is that a pressure rated pump? I would think you could run your equipment off that.
Click to expand...

I believe it is a pressure pump as it is fairly powerful.. I mean 1000GPH at 10FT of head is still a LOT... even with head loss from being reduced it should still be decent return flow... I'm sure it can run everything off that single pump but its left to be seen. I will have to drain a my reactors as they have been like 3 days without water flow through them so They might have gone stinky.. but they are already off line and I can just pump some water through them using a oceanrunner pump i got.. - The Sump is plumbed and gets put online tonight! the things I DONT like abotu this pump

#1 Thing i DONT like about this external pump is its size... the 1 foot Or So that I had in the stand for my 3 reactors is getting taken up by this pump. However I got smart and built a STAND that the reactors can now sit on .

#2 Its fairly LONG :(

#3 I think I should have Plumbed it outside of the stand but My goal is to make everything look nice.
 
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