i recently bought a 90 gallon reef setup from a fellow reefer, and have been having nothing but problems with almost all of the equipment...my latest problem is heat, caused from the 160 watt return external pump...its super quiet,but even with a fan blasting directly on it,my tank cant dip below 80 degrees..[tank is always between 80-83].the problem here is that i live in the sunset district,where its been foggy and cold..i cant wait til it gets hot,i need a replacement pump asap....the problem here is im flat broke,and cant afford to spend too much,and a new one is way, way out of my budget..anybody have a return pump for sale? brandon 415-819-0675 thanks p.s can the heat be caused from the pump being on its way out, or is this pump just way too powerful for a 90 gallon,i think its 3000 gph.
Help!! Looking For A Strong Return Pump!!
- Thread starter jazzmanb
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Cozen89
Premium Member
I've been through this problem recently and I also live in SF. You have to give us more specifics on the tank, size of the overflow/drain and return pipes. Size of sump etc. From what I've noticed, the mag pumps put out more heat than the eheims. Also was the temp low then went high or did it start out high? If it started high it can take a few days to cool down a large amount of water.
Also 3000gph is waaaaay too strong for a return pump in my opinion. After having high flow and low flow through my sump I am now a fan of low flow. I have a eheim 1250 which is only about 300gph and 200 after head loss.
Give some more detailed specs of your set up and people will be able to help you.
Also 3000gph is waaaaay too strong for a return pump in my opinion. After having high flow and low flow through my sump I am now a fan of low flow. I have a eheim 1250 which is only about 300gph and 200 after head loss.
Give some more detailed specs of your set up and people will be able to help you.
Cozen89
Premium Member
oh, i just reread that you have it as an external pump. That isn't the heat issue then, but still 3000 gph is very strong. Is your tank open top or closed? Do you have a lot of power heads and equipment in the tank, these can also add to increased temps.
also I haven't experienced any real problems with temps in the low 80s. Mid 80's is what you ahve to worry about.
also I haven't experienced any real problems with temps in the low 80s. Mid 80's is what you ahve to worry about.
Dyngoe
New member
I'll chime in here.
First, I am a fan of high flow in tanks. I don't like pumps in my tank. But even at my standards 3000gph for a 90g tank is excessive. That's ~30 times an hour circulation with head loss.
Second, an external pump should not add much temp to the water. You have something else going on. Most likely lights.
If you have a good top-off system you can try cooling the tank with more evaporation. One thing I used a while back was a "bong cooler". Just look for them online. It's a PC cooling method that uses extreme amounts of evaporation to cool the water. You will need to T-off your overflow line so you have a slower flow. A bong cooler won't affect 3000GPH much. But it will work.
I would look into what's causing your issue most of all. With the ambient temps where you are and the fact that you use an external pump, there really shouldn't be any reason you are at 80+ deg. I'm guessing your lights, and that can easily be checked by turning them off.
First, I am a fan of high flow in tanks. I don't like pumps in my tank. But even at my standards 3000gph for a 90g tank is excessive. That's ~30 times an hour circulation with head loss.
Second, an external pump should not add much temp to the water. You have something else going on. Most likely lights.
If you have a good top-off system you can try cooling the tank with more evaporation. One thing I used a while back was a "bong cooler". Just look for them online. It's a PC cooling method that uses extreme amounts of evaporation to cool the water. You will need to T-off your overflow line so you have a slower flow. A bong cooler won't affect 3000GPH much. But it will work.
I would look into what's causing your issue most of all. With the ambient temps where you are and the fact that you use an external pump, there really shouldn't be any reason you are at 80+ deg. I'm guessing your lights, and that can easily be checked by turning them off.
its the pump for sure, ive already tested eveything else,my halides are cooled by a nice fan,though im sure the halides will raise the temp a bit....including lights skimmer etc..external pumps are known to raise temps quite a bit ,from the research ive done..especially when my pump is really for a 200 gallon tank.[i think] anyways its deffinatly the pump,i was just curious if others had problems with external pumps..
fishsoldseprtly
In Memoriam
I would say REEFLO, great pumps and low wattage.
I am in Sacramento and its HOT out here, I run a DART and my system is in the garage, but my water temp is usually at 78-81 even on hot days but I definitely agree its not the EXTERNAL return so it could be other things IN your tank or lights, i.e. powerheads.
I am in Sacramento and its HOT out here, I run a DART and my system is in the garage, but my water temp is usually at 78-81 even on hot days but I definitely agree its not the EXTERNAL return so it could be other things IN your tank or lights, i.e. powerheads.
Thales
Active member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10368027#post10368027 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GreshamH
Little Giant external = Giant Heater. Had one cook a 150g at my old office. Boss loved them until I let him use my IwakiIt was all Iwaki after that
Are there really any pumps on the market now that will do this?
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10370617#post10370617 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Thales
Are there really any pumps on the market now that will do this?
Little Giants actually still are on the market Rich, in fact, they sell more then Ampmaster since their product line is very large and used in multiple industries besides aquaria.
clownfish2020
New member
pump available
pump available
I have a brand new sen 900 submersible pump (has never been in water). Same manufacter as sedra pumps I believe. I bought 2 to 3 years ago at premiium aquatics for $85 but they sell it now for $79 plus shipping. I never got around to changing my pump. IT pumps over 700 gph at 6 feeet. The pump is yours for $45. I am located near the stonetown ymca and Information about it can be found here: http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...en=PROD&Product_Code=SEN900&Category_Code=SEN
pump available
I have a brand new sen 900 submersible pump (has never been in water). Same manufacter as sedra pumps I believe. I bought 2 to 3 years ago at premiium aquatics for $85 but they sell it now for $79 plus shipping. I never got around to changing my pump. IT pumps over 700 gph at 6 feeet. The pump is yours for $45. I am located near the stonetown ymca and Information about it can be found here: http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...en=PROD&Product_Code=SEN900&Category_Code=SEN
the pump i have is a poseidon ps4....its 140 watts,and is actually 1100 gph at 4 ft head or something like that[not 3000 like i thought]...theres also a disclaimer on marine depot, poseidon pumps are effecient,quiet and powerful,but are known to raise the temp by 4-6 degrees....i guess these pumps are made for people with chillers....thanks for all your responses..
