Return pumps: Submersible vs. External?

[Edward Smith]

I'm presently using two external return pumps for my 210g. They're becoming a PIA; microbubbles, difficult to reach, and leaks.

I'm thinking of going with a couple of mag 12's for my return with a 6ft head. I don't have heat problems, so that's not really a concern.

Are these pumps durable enough for this purpose?

Welcome any thoughts/suggestions.

Thanks

 

[gkq325286]

Mags are great. I have had a mag 7 in operation for about 6 years with out issue. As for your mircro bubble issue there are ways to deal with that, filter sock, baffles, that sort of thing. I wouldn't ditch the externals over the bubble problem. But if the unreachable part is what is driving the decision, go fo it.

 

[NewSchool04]

I've had my Mag 12 running for 2 1/2 years and bought it used. Quiet and reliable.

 

[kimha]

I am using mag5, 7, 9.5, 12, and 18. All are quiet and reliable. I like them because they can be used ext or in sump.

 

[RRafael]

Ed,
MAG's are good pumps, I use them myself ......BUT the next time around I will have external pumps because internal pumps heat up the water too much. When my MAG 18 died last week the water in the sump heated up to 92 ....OUCH!!!

If I were you I would look at your system and put the pumps somewhere more accesable for you and redo the plumbing....but that is just one mans opinion....

 

[ostrow]

Leaks?

What pumps? Where are the leaks?

Microbubbles... 1) do you have a "rock cave" around the bulkhead intake? 2) if so, lay a piece of eggcrate across the top of it, hold it down with a little piece of rock.

OR raise the level in your sump.

Odds are high the bubbles are coming from a vortex created by the pump intake at the bulkhead. These solutions will all help end that.

Your pump should not leak

 

[Edward Smith]

Leaks: Its difficult to get tight fittings from the sump to the pump and from the pump to the megaflow. The space to work in is EXTREMLY tight. I may consider a total redesign to fix this but that would be a major redesign vs. just switching pumps.

Microbubbles: Definitly not from the sump. The water level is high and the returns flow into an algae scrubber. By the time the water leaves the scrubber into the tank, the bubbles are gone. I beleive the bubbles are coming from lose connections from the sump to the return pumps? Submersibles may resolve the microbubbles?

 

[jeemann99]

just submerse it and call it a day. You focus on the other things like the Lumenarcs, top off system, etc. etc. etc.

Everything is doing well all polyps opened.

Garrick

 

[reefkeeperrut]

fwiw - I had the microbubble thread earlier this week - well I fixed it. It was the bulk head between sump and Panworld 150. Siliconed and re-tightened and now no bubbles. Good luck!