Mag Drive 7 or 9.5 or .....

[lilredwuck]

I have

90 gallon tank
55 gallon sump
(x2) 1.5" bulkheads
3/4" return manifold spanning the inside top of tank
(x6) openings in the manifold
(x2) Mag Drive 18's
Eheim 1250 Pump
(x2) 175 Metal Halides
ASM G-3 Skimmer

I might switch to a 30 gallon sump later so it will fit in the stand. The 55 gallon will have to sit behind the stand for now. I am looking at about 5 feet head into 2 nineties for the return manifold. So I know the mag 18's are going to be too strong for a return. OK for a Closed Loop, but that is different story. Should I go with a Mag 9.5 for $92 or a 7 or a different brand? Whatcha think?

[arrowheadpuffer]

I run a mag 9 on my 90g AGA off center overflow tank, 1.5" return. It needs to be restricted just a little.

[lilredwuck]

1.5" drain you mean right? Will the manifold work or should I have just a single return?

[lilredwuck]

3/4" return manifold that is

[arrowheadpuffer]

yeah 1.5" return, although the mag 9.5 actually runs better with a 1.5" return as well.

http://155.212.86.141/instructionsheets/ZG100.PDF

page 2 "1.5" should be used for maximum flow"

[john32]

I ran a 9.5 on my 75 gallon display with a 10 gallon sump worked great.

[drillsar]

Mag pumps can cause heat issues so beware.

[Beaun]

Either a Mag 9.5 or an Eheim 1262

[drillsar]

Eheim are better then mags

[Jackri]

I run an Eheim as well... does great and never have had any problems.

[lilredwuck]

Still trying to figure out my sump situation as well. I think I will just use a 55 gallon behind my stand. Just looked up the prices and well, I'll go with a mag drive for now. I could get 2 (almost) Mag drive 9.5's for the same as 1 Eheim 1262. $90 vs. $170. Now the question is should I use the mag drive externally or submersed? I guess I could always drill the tank (I drilled my 90 no problem) for later use if neccesary, plug it, and try submersed, then if heat is the issue I can always switch easier since it would be up and running. What about plumbing if I were to run externally? Go with soft or hard plumbing from the sump? I also know a ball valve and union would be needed from sump to the pump (externally done). But not sure if you would use a combo of soft and hard plumbing or just hard plumbing. I have a lot of room in the corner where my QT tank will most likely go. This might give you a better picture of what space etc I have. LOL Take that term loosely!
Also what do you think about the QT tank? Should I go with the 29 or the 30 X-High?

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd346/lilredwuck/90%20gallon/055.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd346/lilredwuck/90%20gallon/056.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd346/lilredwuck/90%20gallon/042.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd346/lilredwuck/90%20gallon/063.jpg

http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd346/lilredwuck/90%20gallon/045.jpg

[rbnice1]

Eheim are better then mags

How do you know this? Is there some method you have used to determine this?

If you compare a mag7 to a 1260 or a mag 9 to a 1262 they both flow about the same, they both add almost the same heat transfer to the tank, they are almost the same as far as vibrations, and both pumps tend to last years and years.

[zooty]

I would use the Mag 9.5 but run it externally not in water. It will last longer

[lilredwuck]

If the mag only lasted half of what the eheim did, it's still the same costs over time. Gotta check the replacement parts prices..... What would wear out on a Eheim? More than just the impeller?

[Reefugee]

I agree with everyone that the Ehiem are very nice pumps. However, they are expensive. A nice alternative is the Ocean Runner. The OceanRunner uses less electricity than a comparable Mag pump. They are a little more expensive than the Mag pumps, but I think the impeller are better built. The physically size of the OR pump is bigger than a Mag pump. I think that Mag pump has a higher pressure rating than the OR - so you might want to check that out. Currently I am using an OR3500 for my return pump on my 120G. It works great.

IMO - Mag pump are great in the beginning, but they eventually all crap out. Their impeller are poorly design (especially for constant on/off function like auto topoff). They are prone to salt creep when used externally. The o-rings are crap. Most of the mag pump I have seen used externally have salt creep around it. Although my guess is that most pump that are built for both internal AND external use will have the same salt creep problems.

[Reefugee]

BTW - I have been using an Ehiem for my auto topoff for over a year now, and the impeller is still working great. With a Mag pump, I was replacing the impeller ever few months! Never use a Mag pump for function when you may have to turn it on/off daily.

[lilredwuck]

HOLY.......... WOW for

"Eheim Replacement Ceramic Bearing Impeller w/o Shaft for 1060/1260/1262 Hobby Pump"

The cost is $60!!!!!!

A new impeller for a mag 9.5 is $15, and isn't that the only moving parts in this pump??? Replace that and it's like brand new is what I have heard/read.
I know the cover can break and it's $10, but WOW>.....

[zooty]

HOLY.......... WOW for

"Eheim Replacement Ceramic Bearing Impeller w/o Shaft for 1060/1260/1262 Hobby Pump"

The cost is $60!!!!!!

A new impeller for a mag 9.5 is $15, and isn't that the only moving parts in this pump??? Replace that and it's like brand new is what I have heard/read.
I know the cover can break and it's $10, but WOW>.....

Pretty obvious which way to go.

I have been running the same mag pump externally for 2 years on one tank with no issue. I have another that has been running externally for 3 years but I did have to replace the impeller once because I let cheato get into it and it clogged and snapped the impeller.

I have had no issue with salt creep. Though I did hand tighten all the screws before connecting it.

I can't offer any advice to constantly turning them one and off since mine are used as return pumps.

GL

___Soft plumbing is my preference and ball values can always be included as well

[lilredwuck]

Well I have good news and bad news. The bad news is, I worked hard on the tank. The good news is I sold just the 90 gallon tank, stand, canopy, and 29 gallon tank for $500.
So now I don't have to buy equipment for it, decide between rebuilding the stand for a 55 gallon sump, or squishing a 30 underneath, and suffering a small refuge. Being a first time saltwater experience I feel better starting smaller, ie with my QT tank, then say a huge tank, even though a bigger tank is more forgiving on mess-ups, it's not on my wallet!!
No big deal though, I still have my metal halides.