Pumps

T

TheFatBoy

OK. I am obviously going to need a return pump. I read earlier that a MAG5 at 5ft pumps 300GPH. Sounds about like what I need.

What are the disadvantages, if any, to buying a pond pump from Home Depot, or cheaper yet from Wal-Mart, that pumps 500GPH, which I assume is the strength of the Mag5 at zero ft?
 
A mag 5 would be fine.. even a Mag 7. They are a bit on the noisy side, but I had a Mag 9.5 in my 100g a long time ago.

Never tried one of the pond pumps from HD or walmart. I would say beware on those. Don't know about the reliability or the heat that they would generate.
 
One other thing you need to look at with those pond pumps is that they are designed for use in a fresh water envirotment not a salt water.
 
What size tank? The Mags are good pumps, but they are not the ideal choices as they give off heat into the water and also use quite a bit of electricity for what they do. Look at an Eheim or Quiet One pumps instead.... The QuietOne is probably the best bargain for watts vs flow ratio, but my preference (and if you have the budget) is to go with the Eheim as they are superior pumps all around.

A Mag 5 will draw 45 watts to do 5' at 250GPH (Not 300 that is 4'). Mag 7 will draw 65 watts and do 5' at 420 GPH.

Compare to...

A Eheim 1250 that will do 317 GPH at 6+' at 28 watts. The 1260 will do 635 GPH up to 12' at uses 65 W.

Compare to...

QuietOne 3000

That will push 780 GPH at 40W up to 10 ft.

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~RB3115~tab~1.html
 
either a 75 or 90g.

What are the costs on those pumps? I guess youd have to figure in the cost of the added electric into the cost of the pumps. I think I will be using T5 or T6 lighting, so heat shouldnt be too much of an issue. If I was really concerned with the heat I could use a bulkhead on the side of the sump instead of submersing the pump.

As cold as my fiancee keeps the condo, I might NEED the heat! :)
 
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