External pump... Eheim, Mag, or what?

[jeffesaurusrex]

So I'm in the planning process of my next 75g. I've already picked out the tank and stand and I'm going to pick it up tomorrow, but now I'm thinking about what goes under the tank... Specifically the sump and return pump.

I decided to go with a premade sump/refugium, the Eshopps R-200 seen here: http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/ES-15005.html. If I put a bulkhead there on the right hand side and run an external pump, not only will I have a spot for a heater but I will take the heat of the return pump itself out of the water.

So this brings me to the actual question: which external pump is quiet and sufficient for my tank? The return in the tank uses a standpipe that goes up to the top, so in total there's about 40-48" of head. I figure I will want at least 600gph turnover at that. So I was looking at a couple pumps, the Eheim 1262, Quiet One 5000, Mag 9.5. All of these are external or internal, but will they make a bunch of noise when mounted outside of the tank?

Any input, either on the pump or my selection of sump is appreciated.

 

[Ron Reefman]

In older systems I've had, I've used Quiet Ones and Mags and they were OK. The Quiet One pumps aren't quite as good IMHO. But on my current tank I have a Jebao pond pump that I bought from an Ebay store. It's 3400gph and cost $110 delivered. It's been running 2 years, 24/7 in my sump and has never been an issue. I ran it as an external pump on my CL while I was fixing my more expensive Reeflo 2400gph ($225) and the Jebao was still cool to the touch. I'm sure they offer lower gph versions and you could probably buy 2 for the price of 1 big name pump. And if it does die, you'll already have a backup that plugs right in.

OK, let the nonbelievers start to screem about cheap pumps. LOL! All I know is my has run perfectly for 2 years! And this isn't science, it's just my opinion. :uzi:

 

[jeffesaurusrex]

I've got nothing against a cheaper option. The main concern is noise though, I have a really small house (a little bigger than a studio apartment) where the tank will be in the living room one room over from the bedroom.

I wonder if a purpose built external like your Reeflo would be better? I found a Reeflo "Blowhole" 1100gph external. According to the description it runs pretty much dead silent.

 

[indyjaco]

My Mag 7 on my 75 is a little noisy due to vibrations and how much flow it creates for my drain line.

I think the Eheim 1260 or Mag 7 would work fine.

 

[Stupidhatmatt]

My vote would go to the Eheim 1260. I have the Mag7 and Mag9 along with the Eheim and it's much better.

 

[sirreal63]

I would use the Eheim, but also consider this, you are removing the heat of the pump from the water and then adding it back with the heater. It is far more efficient to leave the pump submerged and let it assist the heater, which will run less if the pump is submerged. Externally run, there will still be some heat from the pump, it is a water cooled pump, but you are throwing the bulk of the heat energy away and then using a heater to keep the tank warm? I don't think you will have the same problem with too much heat there that we do here in the deep south. The Eheim won't add a lot of heat, but you are wasting electricity if you run it externally.

 

[sneaton]

eheim 1260/1262 for sure.....that way if you ugrade and decide to got internal you have the option....i have the 1260 and 1262 great pumps

 

[dzhuo]

If I put a bulkhead there on the right hand side and run an external pump, not only will I have a spot for a heater but I will take the heat of the return pump itself out of the water.

It will free up space in your sump but it won't take away the heat generated by the return pump. Both Eheim and Mag are water cooled so regardless how you run it (external or internal), it will add the same amount of heat to the water. If you are concern about heat, you need to run an air cooled return pump. All submerged pumps are water cooled.

 

[Ron Reefman]

I've got nothing against a cheaper option. The main concern is noise though, I have a really small house (a little bigger than a studio apartment) where the tank will be in the living room one room over from the bedroom.

I wonder if a purpose built external like your Reeflo would be better? I found a Reeflo "Blowhole" 1100gph external. According to the description it runs pretty much dead silent.

I like my Reeflo just fine, but it does have a hum when it's running. The 'cheap' Jebao is dead quiet. Seriously, makes virtualy no noise.

 

[1pix4c]

i would go with reflo blowhole it has 3 different speeds

 

[lth03]

I use Iwaki pump on my tank ,the smaller model 20 or 30 is quiet but the 40 and up is making noise.Recommend that you run md-20 will be plenty of power for your 75 gallons size tank

 

[tkeracer619]

i would go with reflo blowhole it has 3 different speeds

Sadly, its a piece of junk. I spent all night not long ago saving a tank while the owner was out of town. Could have been a total loss if he didn't have my number. It was the second blowhole he had die in a couple months. Serious quality issues.

We are used to reeflo providing high quality very long lasting pumps but they sure dropped the ball on this one. Its Chinese junk. If you have one you better have a backup on hand.

Shame on Reeflo for degrading the name for the bottom line. If you see this Reeflo (local to me) step it up, discontinue the pump, and have an American company build your pump for you even if it eats into profits. I treasure my free time (I work a lot) and I lost a bit of respect for the brand that night. I have used your pumps for a long time. I have a Dart that has been running non-stop for 6 years and two hammerheads I will use on a future project. Please get your act together.

 

[tkeracer619]

eheim 1260/1262 for sure.....that way if you ugrade and decide to got internal you have the option....i have the 1260 and 1262 great pumps

Ditto. I would go with the Ehiem 1260.

 

[Canadaguy]

Out of the 3 pumps you have listed the only one I would buy is the Eheim. The Mag and Quiet One wouldn't even be an option for me.

 

[sneaton]

also you can mod the eheim 1260 to the 1262(and vice versa) if you ever need more...the only difference is the volute

 

[bdyj]

I have a quiet one 4000 on my 75g and it is not too quiet has a lot of vibration and a loud hum.
Just ordered a Eheim 3000, was also looking at the 1260 but the size of the 3000 is what help me make my choose (also reviews on the RC forums)
Will post with update when it is in and running.

 

[ganjero]

Ron I guess you are lucky or maybe it's because is an external pump, but I would never recommend a jebao product. I almost electrocuted myself with a jebao pump.
Jebao and Odyssea are big no no for me ( I've used them both). From the listed pumps I'd would with eheim, or look into a pump designed to only be ran externally. Iwaki pumps with Japanese motors are great.