Ehiem 1250 and 1048 pump users... chime in

[ek9vboi]

Hey guys/gals that use the Ehiem 1250 and 1048 pumps. I recently ordered my Eheim 1250 but have yet to hook it up. The problem that occurred is that it uses the metric system as a way of identifying the input and output. I read on Marine Depot that the inlet is 3/4" and the output is 1/2", so I was going to use a 1/2" to 3/4" MTP to slip fitting so it could be hard plumbed. The fitting for the outlet on the 1250 is "1/2"" but it fitting I got from Home Depo/Lowes will not fit, it is simply too big. The 1/2" will fit on the inlet, so I am thinking for the outlet it is really 1/4" and not 1/2".

My options:

1) Look everywhere to this 1/4" to 1/2" or 3/4". â€"œ I gave up on that already.

2) Use 1/2" flexible hose from the pump and connect it to a 1/2" male barb adaptor. And from there it will be hard plumbed to my display tank.

Seeing that most people say go with 3/4" plumbing for the amount I am returning to the tank, will this be ok? The 1/2" piece of hose will be less then 1foot. I am sure that it will cause a LITTLE stain on the pump due to the small diameter hose. Other then that will there be any loss in GPH? Would it make my pump louder???

 

[Flamehawk]

The outlet is actually 3/8th NPT if i remember correctly. Hard to find, though.

 

[bawla47]

hey eric, i used the the fitting they supplied with a slip joint, and sanded down a 1/2" pipe enough for it to fit into it and be glued.

 

[ek9vboi]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8237521#post8237521 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bawla47
hey eric, i used the the fitting they supplied with a slip joint, and sanded down a 1/2" pipe enough for it to fit into it and be glued.

I was going to do that and might, the flow coming from the pump is disappointing. I was up till 4-5am doing the return. Looks like all the 3/4"s piping is going to be recycled or something, I'll figure it out. More then likely I will be going to 1/2" vinyl hose. It will give more pressure on the pump but there are no 90 degrees that is has to go through, so basically its the same.

Another question bawla, which pump are you running and are you happy with the flow?

 

[bawla47]

i have the 1250 also, but i havent got around to using it yet, planned on making a closed loop for my 30 gallon.

i can tell you its VERY quiet though. you can tell definately it is well made, just by looking and feeling it.

you have 3/4" plumbing already? why dont you just do the 1/2"
sanded down, and then step it up to 3/4" with a coupler?

the nice thing about eheims atleast, they can handle pressure extremely well, probably the best internal pump.

anyhow good luck. youll spend the extra pennys for the eheim, but youll get years of use with less heat and noise.

 

[ek9vboi]

So far I love the 1250, quiet as it can get. I was falling asleep last night and didn't hear anything but the drain (don't think thats fixable).

I am going to skip the hard lines all together, working on 1/2" vinyl tubing to a u-tube and out into the tank.

 

[CraigG]

Hard lines seem like a PITA to me, seems much easier to use tubing. What's the main reason people use PVC?

 

[ek9vboi]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8240975#post8240975 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CraigG
Hard lines seem like a PITA to me, seems much easier to use tubing. What's the main reason people use PVC?

For me its to have the return line in a SOLID state. Meaning it will not move or slip out of place making a mess everywhere. The only thing I worry about vinyl and flexable line is that it comes apart or cracks... leaving an unexpected mess but then again pvc can crack too.

 

[45commando]

Eheim pumps work on metric units,so you may have some trouble finding hard plumbing fittings.You may want to invest in some of the flexible hose clamps-just to be safe(if you don't have them already).

 

[ek9vboi]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8241503#post8241503 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 45commando
Eheim pumps work on metric units,so you may have some trouble finding hard plumbing fittings.You may want to invest in some of the flexible hose clamps-just to be safe(if you don't have them already).

Thats what I thought as well, I mentioned that somewhere in one of my threads. I am currently using 2-3 zip ties on each barb so it should in no way slip off. As for the fitting that came with the Eheim pump, it has a self locking type fitting which holds the vinyl hose in place very securly. When I redo my return line again with vinyl hose a metal clamp will be used on the u-tube that is out of the water.

 

[CraigG]

You can always use those lock clamps, that way you can use them and not worry about if it gets wet. I use them on my water cooled PC which flows about 400gph from the pump on setting 5. No leaks and about 8 mos into it.

 

[TitaniuIVI]

Just use the tubing. It's better than the hard plumbing cause it more manuverable, easily replacable, and makes no noise due to vibrations (as opposed to hard plumbing.) You also have less of gph due to elbows and other joints since it just one straight piece. I bought my in the Home Depot garden section. It's the black tubing used for garden fountains. I got black so no algae would grow in it.

 

[ek9vboi]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8253128#post8253128 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TitaniuIVI
Just use the tubing. It's better than the hard plumbing cause it more manuverable, easily replacable, and makes no noise due to vibrations (as opposed to hard plumbing.) You also have less of gph due to elbows and other joints since it just one straight piece. I bought my in the Home Depot garden section. It's the black tubing used for garden fountains. I got black so no algae would grow in it.

That is what I plan on doing.