plumbing for basement sump
- Thread starter SandyS
- Start date
Arik
New member
Most people advise against using Magdrives against that much head. With the Mag's you need to double the outlet size for your plumbing otherwise the flow will be restricted. If you are going to use the Mag, I'd definitely use the 1.5 because you are already going to lose a lot of flow on the trip upstairs.
moriartiholmes
New member
$3 a foot? Sounds like your talking about clear tubing. I would use PVC pipe. A lot more rigid and a lot cheaper, also the MAG pumps inlets and outlets will screw directly into PVC fittings.
Guy
New member
Don't use a MagDrive. You truly need a pressure rated pump. I'm a big fan of Iwaki RLT series for basement sumps.
If you use the Mag you're just going to get a relative trickle out of it as compared to a similarly sized pressure pump.
I use a 1" Spa Flex PVC . I have found it works best unless you have a perfectly straight shot up to the tank. In that case rigid PVC would be preferable.
Another thing to consider is that you don't need 100% of your waterflow coming from the sump. A closed loop can provide most of the water circulation and a smaller pressure rated pump can run the sump to supply heaters, skimmers, etc.
If you use the Mag you're just going to get a relative trickle out of it as compared to a similarly sized pressure pump.
I use a 1" Spa Flex PVC . I have found it works best unless you have a perfectly straight shot up to the tank. In that case rigid PVC would be preferable.
Another thing to consider is that you don't need 100% of your waterflow coming from the sump. A closed loop can provide most of the water circulation and a smaller pressure rated pump can run the sump to supply heaters, skimmers, etc.
GreyG35
New member
I moved my sump to the basement a few weeks ago using a Mag 18. They claim something like 700 GPH @ 12 feet of head, which should be plenty for my overflow (90 RR AGA handles 600 GPH). This replaced a very reliable Mag 9.5 (slightly throttled down) when the sump was in the cabinet.
I used 3/4 inch inner diameter pressure rated flexible tubing (the double-walled stuff with the mesh in between) for ease of installation -- I think it was like $1.29 per foot at Lowes. 1 1/4 inch spa hose for the return -- that was around $2.79/ft from HD. Total run from the tank to the sump is around 22 feet (about 12 vertical). Considerably more expensive than PVC, but much easier to run through some tight spaces, and no joints to vibrate loose.
Running wide open, I don't think the Mag 18 is moving quite as much water as the Mag 9.5 did, but it's close. Might add another powerhead in the main tank.
So far, so good with the new setup. The tank is running like 4 degrees cooler during the day, and the heaters actually kick on at night. Everything looks good. HTH!!
Regards,
I used 3/4 inch inner diameter pressure rated flexible tubing (the double-walled stuff with the mesh in between) for ease of installation -- I think it was like $1.29 per foot at Lowes. 1 1/4 inch spa hose for the return -- that was around $2.79/ft from HD. Total run from the tank to the sump is around 22 feet (about 12 vertical). Considerably more expensive than PVC, but much easier to run through some tight spaces, and no joints to vibrate loose.
Running wide open, I don't think the Mag 18 is moving quite as much water as the Mag 9.5 did, but it's close. Might add another powerhead in the main tank.
So far, so good with the new setup. The tank is running like 4 degrees cooler during the day, and the heaters actually kick on at night. Everything looks good. HTH!!
Regards,
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
One reason many people move their sump to their basement is to keep the aquarium cooler. If you're aquarium is running warm and you have a submersible pump (such as a Magdrive) replace it with an external fan cooled pump.
If you're pumping water from a basement (a high head application) you shouldn't use a Magdrive pump. You'll be creating a lot of heat and wasting a lot of energy (electricity). Get a pressure rated pump.
If I was working in 1.5 inch plumbing for pressure situations (pump returns) I'd use PVC over the clear reinforced vinyl stuff. Non-pressure situations (drains) might be another story, but no plumbing materials are cheap nowadays.
Be thankful you don't need copper!
If you're pumping water from a basement (a high head application) you shouldn't use a Magdrive pump. You'll be creating a lot of heat and wasting a lot of energy (electricity). Get a pressure rated pump.
If I was working in 1.5 inch plumbing for pressure situations (pump returns) I'd use PVC over the clear reinforced vinyl stuff. Non-pressure situations (drains) might be another story, but no plumbing materials are cheap nowadays.
Be thankful you don't need copper!
