Return pump - internal vs submersible

ultimatemj

ultimatemj

Active member
83 this morning!


Progress on basement sump...new electric circuit run...but still need to make up my mind on return pump.

Big submersible or drill sump, bulkhead, external pump?

Seems way easier to go submersible, I avoid drilling this sweet custom acrylic sump, and less joints to leak/maintain.

But I do need 400gph @ 11' head, and that big of a submersible may bring enough heat to force my hand on a chiller...which I was hoping the basement would act as.

Thoughts?


Tapa
 
Never can have too much space in your sump. If you don't have the space then go internal. As far as heat goes what lights are you running? Also a chiller is never a bad idea depending on what you want to keep in the future. Some coral and fish are sensitive to big swings.
 
New sump is 'huge' 30x18x18 relative to my 55g DT. New sump has 3 chambers 10x18, 12x18 and 8x18...

Current sump is 24x12x9 and is always 2 to 3 degrees warmer than DT. Heater never comes on. Fairly sure it is my current submersible return pump generating the heat, and/or not enough water volume to cool it.

Lights are AI hydras, running 45%, and they cool to the touch.


Tapa
 
SkullV said:
Bulk reef supply did some actual testing here:

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/video/view/submersible-vs-external-pumps/

As far as 400gph at 11ft. I'd look into the Magdrive line of pumps. They are a little noisy but in a basement setup it shouldn't matter.
Click to expand...

Nice. very informative link. I personally like the submersible pumps because where I set up my tank, it's cold and it saves me heater energy to use submersible pumps. I guess it all depends on how much heat you can afford to add to your tank. if you have to use a chiller with a submersible, you might as well use an external pump.
 
ColaAddict said:
Nice. very informative link. I personally like the submersible pumps because where I set up my tank, it's cold and it saves me heater energy to use submersible pumps. I guess it all depends on how much heat you can afford to add to your tank. if you have to use a chiller with a submersible, you might as well use an external pump.
Click to expand...

+1, It just depends on if you need more heat or less. Like the video says chillers are just one more piece of equipment to buy, operate, and break down on you, so if you can run a tank without one that would be best.
 
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