Return pump suggestions
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Equipment
Forum Description: This is the place to ask question about reef equipment.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=69845
Printed Date: July 17 2026 at 10:08am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Return pump suggestions
Posted By: Crazy Tarzan
Subject: Return pump suggestions
Date Posted: February 23 2014 at 10:06pm
|
So my current return pump is a quite one 2200 of unknown age, and does a good amount of flow for my tastes. Especially since I use a pair of MP10 for flow side to side. Problems have arisen though. One it doesn't always start back up after a power outage--until I jar it a bit. This is problematic if the power goes out, since i won't be home most of the day to take care of it. Two is it has a vibration in it. This vibration then causes a humming sound that is audible in the house--almost like a washing machine running. What are some recommendations for a replacement pump? Or use the one of the pair below? I do have a pair of little giant external pumps--a 4-MDQ-SC, and a 4-MDQX-SC. I have a sneaking suspicion both of these pumps are going to provide a bit more flow than I currently have, which I can either throttle back, or live with. Though I will have to pull the sump out and drill the tank to take a 1" bulkhead, very doable, but more complicated than another submersible pump.
------------- Was that in there yesterday? Casper--WY windier than ? Down to a 20, soon to double or nothing |
Replies:
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: February 23 2014 at 10:39pm
|
Jebao dc6000 ------------- - My Current Tank: 50g Starfire Cube Reef * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: phys
Date Posted: February 24 2014 at 12:28am
| I've seen the Diablo pumps do awesome so far.. and they use a significantly less amount of power. |
Posted By: LaRue
Date Posted: February 24 2014 at 5:30am
| Mag drives are great pumps and if you can go external you can't beat reeflow |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: February 24 2014 at 8:48am
|
Aloha, 90% of the time, a new impeller solves the problem. I usually try that first. Unfortunately I didn't follow my own advice when I recently replaced the entire pump for my skimmer. Later, when I had the time, I examined the old impeller more closely and found that even though the magnet had not swelled around the middle, as they most often do, it had swelled slightly on the top side which made the blades out of alignment with the magnet. This was only evident as I rotated the impeller while holding the shaft between two fingers of my other hand. Mahalo, Mark  808-345-1049 call/text/visit anytime ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
|
Posted By: Crazy Tarzan
Date Posted: February 24 2014 at 9:03am
|
I'll check the impeller Mark--the pump has worked great, and I did silicone where the cable sheathing had broken and separated showing the white and black wires. It was a great weekend for pumps--main return pump is funky, my skimmer return pump cover plate is broken so I have a borrowed skimmer, which when I hooked it up ran great for 10 sec then blew the breaker and shut off. Found out why while inspecting the pump and it shocked me (had the pump out of the skimmer and out of water and was looking at it when I ran my fingers across the cord where it goes into the motor and it zapped me). ------------- Was that in there yesterday? Casper--WY windier than ? Down to a 20, soon to double or nothing |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: February 24 2014 at 3:08pm
 I've been shocked many times. No fun. I'm glad you're okay and not  .------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member
|