Eheim pump users... question

[xtm]

hello

Which Eheim pump should I use for my setup? 1250 or 1260? I have a 60G cube display, 20G sump, and a 3/4" PVC return pipe with about 3FT of head. My overflow box is 6"x6"x6" with 1" diameter durso. I'm trying not to overflow my display...

Also, can I damage the Eheim pump by restricting the flow using a ball valve?

thanks!

[ErikS]

Also, can I damage the Eheim pump by restricting the flow using a ball valve?
No, pump just "thinks" it has more head pressure.

How much flow do you want through the sump? If most or all of the flow is from the main return you might want the 1260. Though likely even with the head pressire it will come close to the limits of the overflow (600gph I'm guessing). Valve or T will fix that.

The 1250 will be plenty if you have other flow in the tank.....or....have the livestock that doesn't need too much.

[xtm]

I have a Tunze Stream 6060 for flow in my display, so I really don't need that much of a pressure coming out of the return, An added flow would be nice though.

so you think a 1250 would do? the Eheim 1250 is only rated at 300 gph... I currently have a Mag9.5 which is rated at 900 gph and it barely "pushes" water... let alone a "smaller" Eheim (??)

thanks

[mrbill70]

I have an eheim 1250 on a 20 gallon tank with 10 gallon sump. It is pushing about 3.5-4 feet of head pressure. You can't feel the water flow once you get about 5 inches away from the return (no valve...max flow at all times). I couldn't decide on the 1250 or the 1048, but seeing how much water it moves I made the right choice. This is on a 20 gallon tank. If I was going to setup a 60 gallon, I would go for the next size up and install a ball valve. The 1250 is dead silent, so I wouldn't be concerned about the noise of a bigger pump.

[jag1979]

I run 2 1260's on my 180 and 60 gallon sump, I am at the high end of flow through sump and would not want anymore. That being said your tank and sump is 1/3 of the size of mine so I think the 1260 might be too much and I woudl go w/ the 1250

[ErikS]

so you think a 1250 would do? the Eheim 1250 is only rated at 300 gph... I currently have a Mag9.5 which is rated at 900 gph and it barely "pushes" water... let alone a "smaller" Eheim (??)
A 9.5 barely pushes water? Anything else in the return line? SCWD? While not the best pumps I can't imagine it not producing a decent amount of flow.

If you're on the fence & have doubts the 1260 would give you piece of mind AND you can always dial it back, there's no way to make a pump move more water.

[db_triggerfish]

I have read 2 or 3 threads on Eheim 1250 vs 1260 and I plan to go with 1250 since overflow noise is an issuse with me. I think all three threads were about Megaflow noise. I am a big fan of Eheim pumps my UV will use Eheim 1046 much less flow for more contact time. Another good thing about them if you don't like it you can sell them here on RC, people pay almost full price for them.

[chris4869]

I use the 1250 for my 46 gallon tank with 4ft of head pressure. I was getting around 150 gph. I had to restrict the water flow going into my sump. If I have to do it again, I would pick the 1260.

I also have a 1262 for my skimmer and it's sooooo quiet. I was using a Mag7 before, and it was loud and heated up my tank.

I strongly believe that you should get the 1260 because your return pipe matches the 3/4" ouput line of the pump, and the fact that you're using a Mag9.5 for your current setup. Like Erik said you can dial it back (but not forward), or even better yet T-off and divert the remaining water for other purposes like UV steriliser or chiller.