Quick pump question

[ataylo13]

I have a pre-drilled 20 long. The hole is in the upper right hand corner (I believe it was used as an overflow). I am looking to buy a mag 9.5 or mag 12 for the pump. Can I use the current hole with a hose inside the tank to pull water out of sump and push up to tank. or would you recommend submerging the pump?

 

[pk1]

You can-just need to prime it. They don't need to be submerged IIRC.

 

[ataylo13]

how would you recommend priming it? Pour water into the tube then shove under water. Would this be an issue if it ever looses prime?

 

[pk1]

you could do that, or the stupid way I always prime a pump-the one that leads to a mouthful of nasty seawater every time. It would be an issue if you lost prime-just like a U tube on an overflow box. You could put a bulkhead in the drilled hole in the glass and run PVC or something down to the bottom of the inside of the tank, lessening the chance of loosing syphon. This is a return pump I am guessing, and the 20L is the sump? Any particular reason you don't want to submerge the pump (heat, space, etc?).

 

[ataylo13]

I have no problems with submerging the pump. I have just read that it is worth it to plumb it outside the tank if possible. I am just looking at what I have to work with and see if it is worth it.

 

[RobTop]

Care with mag pumps that are not submerged. They get hot, very hot, and use the water as a heat sink. I have heard of them actually melting tha casing. I have also heard of them being a real pain to get to not leak. That said I have 4 differant mag pumps, all submerged and think they are great pumps for the price

 

[BenjieC]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8424485#post8424485 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RobTop
Care with mag pumps that are not submerged. They get hot, very hot, and use the water as a heat sink. I have heard of them actually melting tha casing. I have also heard of them being a real pain to get to not leak. That said I have 4 differant mag pumps, all submerged and think they are great pumps for the price

I run a Mag 9.5 on my CL externally. It's a little warm to the touch, but definitely not hot. It's a little noisy, but I plan on building a box to try and help with that.