Mag Drive Pumps???

M

mikeguerrero

Active Member
I own three Mag Drive pumps:

1200 MD with 110 watts of heat.

300 MD with 34 watts of heat.

200 MD with 24 watts of heat.

I've been running these three pumps submerged for almost one year in the sump of my 72 gallon reef with no problems.

However, I've noticed that they do transfer a ton of heat into my water column. I do have a 1/4 artica chiller that keeps my tank safe.

The concern for me is that it's causing my chiller to come on too many times and that spells excess cash that is flying out the window.

I read that all three pumps may be ran inline and here comes my question, has anyone run these guys inline in the past? Any problems or concerns I should heed before I attempt it?

Leaking is not a concern for me since all three will be over the sump, elevated by three separate platforms that do not allow the body of the pump to become submerged. So if they leak a little no problem as it will drip to the bottom of the sump.

My sump does have a class lid that helps from evaporation and excess noise.

Will having the glass lids cause the heat to be just as bad as when they were submerged?

Thanks,

Mike G.
 
islandcreation

islandcreation

New Member
Mike,

When I was looking for a pump for a return from my sump I looked at a magnum, quietone and a Rio hyperflow. After reading about the magnum and quietone I was really familiar with them... I went to an inidividuals house to trade some frags and he was telling me about a rio hyperflow. I wasn't really impressed with regular rio pumps besides using them for a skimmer but not at all as a return pump. So far my Rio 20HF is creates less noise than the regular rio pump attached to the skimmer and has been working great.

Here are four statements out of the eight written on the manufacturers box that stood out.

* Low Heat Emittance
* More Gallon flow Per Watt power
* Energy efficient Design
*Titanium shaft w/ ceramic bearing

Hope this can help out as another source for pumps. :mrgreen:
 
M

mikeguerrero

Active Member
Thanks so much for your input.

I have vested too much money in the three pumps and purchasing new ones are not in my budget.

These pumps are fantastic in terms of strength and reliability. Heat is the issue here, and there is the option of running the pumps inline.

Can you give me some feedback on your experience on your model pump running it inline?

Thanks,

MG
 
M

mikeguerrero

Active Member
I just learned that trying to run them above the waterline, will not work.

With the first power outage they will cavitate and not be able to be primed and I will burn out the pumps.

I hope this helps out others.

My sump is made of glass and has no bulk head at the side so that option is out.

These pumps are designed to push water not pull it up.

It's funny how I end up answering my own questions in just about one hour... hehehe

MG
 
D

drty811

New Member
just wondering why the option of bulkheads on hte side are out of the question. that would be the only fesable option i would think. thats just me thought
 
M

mikeguerrero

Active Member
Erik,

A bulk head on the side of my sump would work. However, it's not an option since I would have to take my sump in to a glass shop and have them drill the hole and then I would have to place it back into my cabinet.

I would have to drain the tank and disconnect all the hosing to get to this sump; it's a huge project not to mention I have zero room in my cabinet for it.

I'm taking the hit in the use of my chiller, after talking to others I learned that I should have me chiller chill to +/- 4 degrees instead of the two that is set up on the reefkeeper.

This will allow it to not come on so often and that's where the cost comes in, not while it's on; so I've heard.

MG
 
skipm

skipm

Moderator
Staff member
IMO Mags are best off when used as submersible pumps, I have used them in-line for a couple of projects and have broke more than one impellar housing trying to get them sealed properly. This wouldn't be a big problem in the application you describe except all of the problems I had were on the intake side where a less than air tight connection allows the pump to draw air in which causes problems ranging from air bubbles, to excessive noise, to loss of prime. I am a big Mag fan but IMO they are better off when left underwater.
 
M

mikeguerrero

Active Member
Those are nice for moving large volumes of water as current in your main display tank. They however, do no good for me to pull water up as a return...

Thanks,

MG
 
R

RickD

New Member
Doh!! :oops: I wasn't thinking about your original question when I put it out there. Was just being narrow and thinking heat.

I had the same dilema, either get an Ampmaster (which can suck the water out and generates less heat) or drill the sump. Because I too don't have cabinet space, I opted for drilling the sump. Ampmaster was too large.

I also tried ganging the pumps, so I've been there...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top