In sump or external pump
- Thread starter MR HONDA
- Start date
Internal
Uses space in the sump
Does not use space in the stand
Water cooled
Simple plumbing
Less chance of leaks
External
Does not use space in the sump
Uses space in the stand
Water cooled or air cooled
More complex plumbing
More chance of leaks
Better for high head
Typically less maintenance
Uses space in the sump
Does not use space in the stand
Water cooled
Simple plumbing
Less chance of leaks
External
Does not use space in the sump
Uses space in the stand
Water cooled or air cooled
More complex plumbing
More chance of leaks
Better for high head
Typically less maintenance
richardhmc
New member
Are you planning to use a pump for something? like a sump?
It is just one IMO/IME small factor to consider. Like anything choose proper equipment and set it up properly and it will work fine. I've run internals and externals and never had any sort of leak issue with either.
insane
Member
In sump can add more heat to your water but are easier to install and maintain. But you can only go so big with an internal pump as to flow rate and head pressure. If you plan on having a basement sump with the DT upstairs, then you should have an external pump properly rated for the head pressure and amount of flow that you want.
What you intend to do now should also be planned with what you might want to do in the future to be able to carry things over easily from under the stand to remote placement of the sump. If you do plan on eventually moving the sump to a basement you might be better off starting out with an external pump that could just be swapped out for a bigger external pump without having to add a bulkhead to the sump at a later time when you make the move.
What you intend to do now should also be planned with what you might want to do in the future to be able to carry things over easily from under the stand to remote placement of the sump. If you do plan on eventually moving the sump to a basement you might be better off starting out with an external pump that could just be swapped out for a bigger external pump without having to add a bulkhead to the sump at a later time when you make the move.
Jay180reef
New member
Who makes the biggest and best internal pumps?
detroit_fan
New member
external all the way, i love my reeflo. if i run internal i use eheim.
I guess for me it depends on what the pump will be used for. If it is a return, on a good sized tank (which it looks like you have), and you have the room then I would try to run an external if possible. For internals, as simple as they are I have really been satisfied with the mag line of pumps, my mag 18 kicks tail.
Amoore311
New member
I like the MSX FX1500. It's the same as the ATB Flowstar, without the price tag that comes along with it.
If you need bigger than that, Red Dragon is your pump (Lots of $$$).
The MSX FX1500 is about the same price as the ATB Flowstar 1500. Also ATB has pumps rated up to 4200GPH. Matter of fact I have found the Flowstar 1500 10 bucks cheaper than the MSX.
There will always be debate back and forth about internal/external. It really is a matter of personal choice.
For me the ATB Flowstar 1500 works perfect. I have a 300 gallon tank with dual corner overflows rated at 700 gph per overflow. My sump is under my stand and I have very minimal return plumbing so I don't lose alot of head to 90's, 45's, etc.
I like having an internal for a couple reasons. One is the heat, that little bit of extra heat from my pump will help my heaters to run less. Second and most important is the safety factor. External fans will claim a properly installed and maintained external pump will never leak. Sorry but nothing is fail or full proof. While an external may never leak there is always the chance. A chance I'm not willing to take.
And before the pump police come saying, "Man 1500gph pump is not enough for a 300 gallon system", for me it is. I don't use my return pump for flow, I use it to move tank water to my sump and then back. I'd guess I'm averaging around 4.5 times turnover everyhour. More than adequate to keep the water clean. To this day I have yet to come across a legit reason why people think they need return pumps that turnover 10 to 15 times their tank volume per hour. Just a big waste of money for a giant return pump and the electrical cost that goes with it. But I guess some people like to filter filtered water. Which is what they are doing. Anyway off my soapbox.
In summary, the debate will never end. Go with what you feel like.
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