Return Pump Comments

[johntanjm]

I'm designing a tank and need to decide if I should locate my return pumps submerged in the sump, or outside the sump. Comments and lessons from all your past experiences will be very helpful.

The main concern I have is locating the return pumps out of the sump will mean drilling holes in the sump. The pump's water tight seal might be faulty causing leaks. Basically its a lot more riskier to locate the return pumps outside the sump. Am i right to say that?

Thanks everyone!

[MbmC]

I'd think advantages are more real estate space in the sump tank for other equipment or if you running a refugium, as well as less heat transfer directly into the water from the pump - chiller has to kick in less often.

I don't know if this is a problem, but using rigid connections to the tank and to the return piping, does this result in more noise from vibrations?

[dfstan]

i think a out-sump return pump is way to go. invest on good return pump. leakage wise, so long as your tank maker knows what he's doing, dun think you shd too worry about leakage. there are tons of ppl using a external return pump.

i think the only question you need to ask yourself is, do you have enough space for external return pump?

[Ah-lim]

I wish I had used my return pump externally.

Submerged = more heat.

[sherman]

I would have pump outside the sump.

Less heat transfer to water in the sump so chiller

can work less.

Get good and reliable fittings for the tank connection

should have no leak issue.

Reef depot have the interconnect and all the valves needed.

[johntanjm]

Listening to this I have more confidence now in locating the return pump out-of-sump =) What I was thinking if there was any failure in the pump or pipings, all leaks will be contained in the sump.

Referring to the diagram below, will the setup on the right be a better choice? or will it even work in the first place?

[xiaochew]

Hi bro, for mine understanding that most of the rp do not suck water to the intake. i could be wrong. If you are thinking to have your pump above the water lvl. it should not works.

cheers

[johntanjm]

but eheim website and aquabee retailers' website in their descriptions for such pumps say that they can be used:

1. submerged

2. above water level

Anyone know more about this?

[johntanjm]

but eheim website and aquabee retailers' website in their descriptions for such pumps say that they can be used:

1. submerged

2. above water level

Anyone know more about this?

[johntanjm]

but eheim website and aquabee retailers' website in their descriptions for such pumps say that they can be used:

1. submerged

2. above water level

Anyone know more about this?

[johntanjm]

but eheim website and aquabee retailers' website in their descriptions for such pumps say that they can be used:

1. submerged

2. above water level

Anyone know more about this?

[Solo77]

hi bro, so far have not seen one above water level. I am also thinking to have outsump rp. Regarding the leak, am thinking to make it outsump and contain it so that any leak can be contained. Lazy to really draw out the blueprint. With your experimental spirit, will wait for your ideas. : )

[johntanjm]

seems like I'd need to buy one and try this weekend then I'd know. Anybody got spare or not? can run that experiment for me? haha!

[vt_snowman87]

eheim pumps can be used above water level, done that before.. only problem is, u will have to feed the water in first, before it will start pumping water up..

[johntanjm]

ah now i understand why their specifications say they're non self-priming. so basically in an event of power failure, they will not be able to restart automatically.

[vt_snowman87]

yupps..

[tunicate]

I'm designing a tank and need to decide if I should locate my return pumps submerged in the sump, or outside the sump. Comments and lessons from all your past experiences will be very helpful.

The main concern I have is locating the return pumps out of the sump will mean drilling holes in the sump. The pump's water tight seal might be faulty causing leaks. Basically its a lot more riskier to locate the return pumps outside the sump. Am i right to say that?

Thanks everyone!

Hi bro,

I've my 1250 return pump above the water level & have no problem. (See attached link)

http://www.sgreefclub.com/forum/index.php?...rt=#entry755155

[xiaochew]

Hi bro,

I've my 1250 return pump above the water level & have no problem. (See attached link)

http://www.sgreefclub.com/forum/index.php?...rt=#entry755155

hi bro, your way works is becuase once the pump is off the water flow back to the sump which will make the water level reach the pump working minimum lvl. correct me if i'm wrong. provided john is make a higher sump.

Hi jonh you may want to try by fitting with at check valve bellow the pipe which is in the sump water. This will trap water in the pipe so that when power supply came back it will have enought water to do the primeing.It should work.

[Ah-lim]

Sidetrack a bit.

Ya guys prefer eheim?

Any other recommendation? I think ehiem used more watt as compared with ocean runner and others rite? correct me if i'm wrong.

[johntanjm]

Xiao chew that's a great suggestion. I am definitely installing a valve however I was thinking if the valve was above the pump, i might run into a problem of priming. but now you gave me an excellent suggestion of installing the valve under the pump.

I'm thinking it might not work because now its sucking water and not pushing water through the valve. can u picture what i'm trying to say? haha. something to do with the valve mechanism.

ah-lim, I'm thinking of aquabee, tho i must say eheim has been very reliable for me through all my years of aquarium keeping

[xiaochew]

Xiao chew that's a great suggestion. I am definitely installing a valve however I was thinking if the valve was above the pump, i might run into a problem of priming. but now you gave me an excellent suggestion of installing the valve under the pump.

I'm thinking it might not work because now its sucking water and not pushing water through the valve. can u picture what i'm trying to say? haha. something to do with the valve mechanism.

ah-lim, I'm thinking of aquabee, tho i must say eheim has been very reliable for me through all my years of aquarium keeping

its should able to work. you can try the check valve from Reefdepot. the gate way its pretty good.

[dachkie]

hi bro, so far have not seen one above water level. I am also thinking to have outsump rp. Regarding the leak, am thinking to make it outsump and contain it so that any leak can be contained. Lazy to really draw out the blueprint. With your experimental spirit, will wait for your ideas. : )

come solo , we go squeeze seet for even more discount on RD, i also wan to change my OR65 to RD

[Solo77]

sure or not, on you. Next friday. Lol.

[tunicate]

hi bro, your way works is becuase once the pump is off the water flow back to the sump which will make the water level reach the pump working minimum lvl. correct me if i'm wrong. provided john is make a higher sump.

Hi jonh you may want to try by fitting with at check valve bellow the pipe which is in the sump water. This will trap water in the pipe so that when power supply came back it will have enought water to do the primeing.It should work.

Hi xiaochew,

Pump sucks no water when level falls too low. Then I'll have to use a siphon at the pump outlet to prime it (don't want to use my mouth ).

[dachkie]

sure or not, on you. Next friday. Lol.

weekend lah , especially fri i cannot, can wait not? next week i cant get coz 19th to 24th i be in KL , so not at home in case any cockup happens after setup

external setup must jagah 1, 25th when i come back we go over n get, onz?