Sump Pimps! I haz a question:

[justin.sterling.scott]

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.

Thanks,

JJ

[nvladik]

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.

[nvladik]

Exact name an model is Danner Mag-Drive Supreme 5 500 GPH, forgot to add that to original post.

[Keyboard Aquatics]

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.

[jcgd]

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.

[nvladik]

Keyboard Aquatics, any advice on something in the Mag 1200 GPH performance without the heat issue?

[prototyp3]

Originally Posted by nvladik

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.

[HD Blazingwolf]

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

[Keyboard Aquatics]

Originally Posted by nvladik

Keyboard Aquatics, any advice on something in the Mag 1200 GPH performance without the heat issue?

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.

[Mekong]

I can vouch for magdrive, I ran a mag12 on my 90g reef and never had temp issues.

[RukoTheWonderDog]

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.

They simply work, all the time.

[accordztech]

So mags really run that hot? Damn I was thinking of getting those for my tank as well.

[GeToChKn]

Never noticed an issue from my Mag 18.

[nvladik]

Originally Posted by Keyboard Aquatics

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.

Thanks, just read up on them a bit, they are all external.

Any submersible suggestions? I am not looking forward to drilling my sump.

[HD Blazingwolf]

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