Two internal pumps or one external or one big internal?

[nightOwl]

Hi All,
I am hoping to get some advice on what to do with my tank. I have a 90 gal tank with a 20 gallon sump. I recently upgraded to an Aqua C EV 180 skimmer (on the way) and that will require a Mag 9.5 to function properly. My pump returning water to the tank is a Mag 9.5 connected to a SCWD. I thought about buying another Mag 9.5 for the skimmer but do not want the heating issues of having two big pumps in my sump. That would be a total of 6 pumps throughout the tank. Three maxjets in the tank on a wavemaker. The Mag 9.5 return, minijet 606 for the phonban reactor, and the addional Mag 9.5. I am now thinking about an External pump that can push up about 4' with some backpressure as the SCWD restricts the flow some or maybe a bigger internal that does not put out much heat if possible. Any suggestions on external or internal are greatly appreciated.

1. What brand would you recommend?
2. Will I need to do any drilling to get water into the external
pump?
3. Any other things I need to know about external pumps or should
be aware of?


Thanks,

Henry

 

[bertoni]

2. Most people drill the sump to create an input line for the external pump, I think. I don't see any good alternatives, off-hand.

3. Some people think external pumps are more reliable than internal. The plumbing is more complicated, though. I think either way can work.

 

[EdKruzel]

I'd use one large external and branch off with ball valves to regulate pressure for individual needs.

The SCWD is good for smaller tanks, but you'd be better off with a product from Ocean Motions.

Ed

 

[nightOwl]

Thanks for the info you both have given if you have any pics of your set-ups I would greatly appreciate it. I checked out that Ocean Motions thing and they look pretty cool but man they are expensive. I will add them to the wish list...lol. I was thinking when I upgrade to an external I may add the other SCWD I initially brought. That would give me some variation in the flow as well at an affordable cost for right now.

Thanks,

Henry