Basement Return Pump Recommendations

[Ruminari]

I'm in the process of upgrading a 55 to a 120g. I have a 75 gallon sump that I'm ready to plumb which will be located in the basement. The total height will be about 10.5', planning on using (4) 45's to make the PVC connections. What pump would you recommend for the basement return?

Here is the list I am looking at.

Mag 18 (have had a mag 9.5 for 4 years and have been happy with it)

Pan World 100PX

Blue Line 55HD

Iwaki 40 RLT

Gen-X Mak 4

Little Giant 4MDQ-SC (found them for only $150 so definitely considering them)


What is everyone's thoughts? I was thinking around a 600 GPH sump flow rate would be good.

 

[austin93]

I use a mak 4 and am very happy. They push around the gph you are looking for and are relatively efficient. I use it in the basement and it does make some noise, but not noticeable upstairs. You can find them used for around 75. That is what I bought mine for.

 

[sjm817]

Same as above. I use a Mak4 which works very well as a basement sump. It is inexpensive, handles the head with ease, doesn't use too much power and is very reliable. It is not a quiet pump, but as a basement return, that is usually not an issue.

 

[Aquarist007]

I would use the calculator on the home page of RC and input all your variables--bends ect included. Then select each of the pumps you are considering and see what flow each will give you in your particular situation.

 

[detroit_fan]

I planned on using the mak4 but the noise issue turned me off to them. I just purchased a reeflo uno tarpon for my basement return. It uses more watts than the mak, but you can put a ball valve on it and reduce the flow a little which will reduce the wattage.

 

[Ruminari]

Austin93 & sjm817 - While I will be putting the pump in the basement noise is still somewhat of a concern as it would be nice to hear the pump as little as possible upstairs. I do like the low 110 wattage draw however, out of all of the pumps I have been looking at the Mak 4 was the lowest wattage.

capn_hylinur - I wouldn't have started this post nor listed the pumps that I did without having ran through the calculator. As you can see I have already done that and came up with a good list of possible pumps. What I am asking everyone is for their recommendations on the pumps listed or their similar variety.

detroit_fan - The only thing putting me off from the reeflo pumps is the price, they are hands down the most expensive pumps for my application and I just can't justify the cost.

 

[sjm817]

The Mak4 is not so bad that you will hear it upstairs. Maybe just slightly if you really listen for it.

 

[Aquarist007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14985383#post14985383 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ruminari

capn_hylinur - I wouldn't have started this post nor listed the pumps that I did without having ran through the calculator. As you can see I have already done that and came up with a good list of possible pumps. What I am asking everyone is for their recommendations on the pumps listed or their similar variety.

I am sorry my skills of inference didn't meet your approval here. Perhaps you could of included the last line of your post in your original post so some of us with lower intellect would not waste your time trying to help you.

for what's is worth I run a blueline 100hd in the basement--there is just a whisper coming from it.

 

[Ruminari]

capn_hylinur - Let us just call it in the past and both move forward. I have heard good things about the Blueline series of pumps. I would be looking more at the 40HD series now that I just realized how to directly compare the panworld and blueline pumps. (it's just funny one pump made by the same manufacturer called 2 completely different things)


Has anyone had any experience with the American Motor Iwaki pumps?

 

[sjm817]

I'll just throw this out there. I think I'm going to be replacing my Mak4 with a Velocity T4. My basement is cool both Winter and Summer. My 600W worth of Heaters are on a lot. The Mak4 is nice that it only use ~ 100W, but being air cooled, most of that goes into the air. The Velocity pumps are water cooled. I'd like to reclaim that heat and put it into the water to save a bit of electricity. They are dead quiet too.

 

[Compguy]

I run a Hammerhead on my 55G and its an awesome pump, its throttled back about 15 to 20% which saves on electricity anyway, but I run my stuff from the first floor down to the basement and back up. That pump definitely has the power to do it!!

 

[Ruminari]

sjm817 - I have been wondering the same thing. I was looking at actually buying a Mag 18, which would be water cooled and as a result add extra heat to the tank. Currently right now I have a Mag 9.5 running and along with the fairly closed in hood the tank overheats if it gets above 78 in the house. Aside from moving everything downstairs for the extra expansion room and the noise issue, we are also moving things downstairs to combat the heat issue as well. My wife and I don't like to run the A/C and prefer an overly warm house. 90 would be just peachy for both of us.

Compguy - I couldn't imagine running a Hammerhead on a 55G. Is there a lot of headloss occuring? I know the Hammerhead line is not pressure rated.

 

[Compguy]

Well, the pump is probably pumping like 10' up to get to the tank, maybe a little more, plus its throttled back like 15 - 20%, I haven't really done the math but I bet I have a good turnover rate. It runs into a SCWD and an extra 3/4" outlet

 

[sjm817]

If you like to keep your house warm, I would stick with an air cooled pump. Its easier to add the heat in with heaters than take it out.

 

[boz151]

I run a Reeflo Goby Gold in my basement, feeds my AquaMedic Baby Skimmer, carbon reactor and 2 returns. Hieght to my tank is approx 11' and I have it throttled back about 35%.

It's plenty of pump, and works like a charm.