Anyone running submersible return pumps externally?

[Leopard Man]

Any of you doing this to minimise heat? Please describe your pump. I've seen this done with RIO HFs and Eheims, how about other brands?

Also, does it really minimise heat when its external? By how much do you think?

Thanks in advance....

 

[rickh]

I run a Mag 5 externally on a closed loop. The manufacturer's rep told me that when you run them externally you should still place the pump in a 5 gallon bucket of water to act as a heat sink. I didn't because of space problems, but the May 5 is a small pump (only 45 watts) and I haven't had a problem. R

 

[luke33]

FWIW, eheim's can be run externally or submersed, i ran one externally for 6yrs straight with zero probs

 

[BeanAnimal]

Yes, it will minimize heat to an extent. Any INTERNAL pump put ALL of it's heat into the body it is submerged in. So if it is a 45 watt pump, then it puts 45 watts of energy into the tank. Remember ENERGY = HEAT.

That said, many "internal" pumps are designed to be cooled by the water running through them. Very little of the heat is released through the external case and components. In other words you may not gain as much as you had hoped to.

 

[anthias_lover]

There are similar discussions in here. Please add input
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1133104

 

[oct2274]

i run my eheim 1260 external, it's the only way to go.........mags are not designed to run external btw and are pretty inferior to the eheims anyways.......

 

[BeanAnimal]

The eheims are very nice pumps and do well both internal and external pumps.

 

[Leopard Man]

Thanks for the responses guys. Sounds like eheims are the way to go. Might invest in the 1250, and run it outside.

After all it's worth, is it just better to run them outside, even though you may not lose as much heat as you hope? I live in Asia where ambient temps are 37Celsius, so heat is really an issue for me.

 

[klam114]

Yes, you can definitely run an Eheim externally. It will save you from transferring some heat back into the water.

 

[sjm817]

As in the other thread, water cooled pumps including Eheims are cooled by the water pumping through them. They transfer heat to the water either way. There is no water to air heat exchange device on this pump. If you point a fan on it...maybe a little.

It seems you are really concerned about heat transfer. If you want a pump that doesn't transfer heat to the water, get an air cooled external, not a water cooled submersible.

 

[RicksReefs]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10059054#post10059054 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by oct2274
i run my eheim 1260 external, it's the only way to go.........mags are not designed to run external btw and are pretty inferior to the eheims anyways.......

Mag's are pretty solid pumps with great warranty backing and made to run external also.

 

[Leopard Man]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10061915#post10061915 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjm817
As in the other thread, water cooled pumps including Eheims are cooled by the water pumping through them. They transfer heat to the water either way. There is no water to air heat exchange device on this pump. If you point a fan on it...maybe a little.

It seems you are really concerned about heat transfer. If you want a pump that doesn't transfer heat to the water, get an air cooled external, not a water cooled submersible.

Yup, heat is a very big issue for me. The probs is where I live they don't have much external pumps. They sell red dragons, but they're out of my budget. Most people here use eheims externally. I sold my rio hyperflow and am thinking of what pump to get now. Eheim 1250 maybe my best option.

Thanks.

 

[Leopard Man]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10061930#post10061930 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RicksReefs
Mag's are pretty solid pumps with great warranty backing and made to run external also.

We don't get Mags here in HK and Philippines. Eheims, RioHFs, Red Dragons, Aquabees are pretty standard here.

 

[Leopard Man]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10061897#post10061897 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by klam114
Yes, you can definitely run an Eheim externally. It will save you from transferring some heat back into the water.

That maybe my best option.

 

[sjm817]

Eheims are great pumps, I recommend them all the time. Again, internal or external, you will see the same (very minimal) heat transfer. I think the benefit of a larger sump (which aids in cooling) outweigh the tiny if any difference in heat transfer of running it externally.

 

[Leopard Man]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10062016#post10062016 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjm817
Eheims are great pumps, I recommend them all the time. Again, internal or external, you will see the same (very minimal) heat transfer. I think the benefit of a larger sump (which aids in cooling) outweigh the tiny if any difference in heat transfer of running it externally.

I understand. I'm trying to save costs on saltmix and RO water hence a smaller sump is better for me. As well as I get more bang for my buck for my Deltec AP600. I think I'll run the eheim outside, just to be on the safe side. The less heat I have, the better.

 

[areze]

I ran a mag 9 external for 2 years. no issues, but I got tired of the general hassle of it. I should have put a valve on it so I cuold disconnect it without draining the sump. just poor planning.

I got a new sump and didnt want to drill it, so I went submerged with the same pump. its putting heat into the water, owell.

 

[Leopard Man]

Yup, that's what I'll do Areze. I'll put a ball valve on it and run the eheim outside.