I want to make a sump for a 29 gallon, regular footprint glass tank. I would like to use an empty 10 gallon, regular footprint glass tank for the filter. I have to build a stand, still, but I bet the top of the tank won't be much higher than five feet off the ground. Let's call the discharge head 60"...
What brand and model pump do you recommend based on the above criteria and your own personal experience?
The inter-webs are full of marketing schemes and I have no experience with pond pumps. I don't mind spending an extra dollar if it directly translates to quality. I would like to avoid branding mark-ups.
I'd get a Mag 5 or a Mag 7. Mag 5 is probably bare minimum at 5', you would get 250GPH and I hear 10x tank turnaround per hour is optimal. Mag 7 will give you 420, which you might want to pipe down a bit with a valve.
I run a Mag 12 myself and I am very happy with it. Mine does run a bit warm though, raises water by about 10F over ambient.
That would be unacceptable to me and why I wouldn't recommend a Mag. Eheims are reliable but clunky. Working in a small 10g sump I'd recommend a Sicce Syncra, either 1.5 or 2.0 model. Small, quiet and efficient.
The mag pump is a quality choice, but as mentioned they run hot. I would go with a Rio 1700 and use the included valve to adjust your flow to your needs.
I run Eheims on my tank. Dead quiet. A smaller model would work well for you, but you'd have to do your own homework. Keep in mind they are very generous with their flow rates.
You would need to step up to the Rio 2300' but even then you won't get the 1200 GPH you want. 1200 GPH requires an outboard pump like an iwaki. But now you are looking at a 300 to 400 dollar investment. I would offer to help source the pump you want, but after you pay shipping, you won't save any money buying from me. Pumps have very little margin in them.
i use the rio1700 on my 29 gallon. no flow regulation was needed. its perfect. im actually considering removing the barrbed ball valve on mine to improve the flow just a tad more
no heat issues on mine. i run it an a rio 800 for my reactor. room temp 75. wate temp 78 with heater turning on often
Danner Mag Drive pumps for sure. I use Mag Drives for my transfer pumps, and I'm dumping my Quiet One pumps and going back to Danner units on my main tank.
RIO hyper flow series
ur looking in the $120.00 range
Model 1 ft. 4 ft. 6 ft. Max Head (ft.)
Rio 32HF 1920 1500 1300 14
Rio 26HF 1590 1350 1140 13
Rio 20HF 1290 990 870 10.8
Rio 17HF 1090 840 660 10
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