Jebao DC return pump ran externally ?

[fltekdiver]

I'm in the middle of plumbing my saltwater mixing station and ordered a
Jebao DC6000 return pump , because I currently use a Reef Octopus DC5500 on my 180 as a return pump
So I figured I would order a Jebao DC6000 as a back up to the Reef Octopus, and plumb it into my SW mixing container

After I ordered it, I thought crap, I hope it can be ran externally as a mixing pump

The pump would not be ran dry, it would have water circulating through it when in use

I just need to confirm someone is running the DC series return pump externally

Thanks

[GroktheCube]

I have not run one externally, but they can be. I own the 12000. It has 1.5" FNPT on both intake and output, and the impeller housing is completely sealed with gaskets and screws.

AFAIK, the Jebao DC6000 is literally mechanically identical to the DC5500. Only differences are the cosmetic bits and the controller.

IIRC, the important parts are built in the same factory on the same assembly line. I know a few companies have slightly different motor blocks and/or impellers built by the same OEM, but I don't think Red Sea is one of them.

[sirreal63]

The important part is not the impeller, the volute or the front of the pump. Pop the back cover off, if is either sealed or there is an o-ring that seals off the back then it will be fine. IIRC they are not rated for external use. The magnetic cavity goes straight through, meaning no bottom, so water will leak out the back cover. You won't know until you pop the back cover off.

[fltekdiver]

Ok, so if the back under the cover is sealed, or a O-ring, I'm fine. If not , then don't use it for Ext use?

[fltekdiver]

I emailed Fish Street where I bought it, here's their response. I have no idea about what screw he's talking about :

Hi

item can operation for internal use, if extenal not recommend have 1/10 chance will leak

If leak it can remove the screw and reinstallation again

Eric

[mcgyvr]

Let me translate the "engrish" for you..

dear customer,
it is recommended to be run internally but some users have had luck running them externally.
We have had a few complaints of it leaking when run externally.
If it does try to remove the volute cover and attempt to re-seat the oring and put it back together and pray it doesn't leak again.

[fltekdiver]

LOL , That's great ! I'll make sure we have " flood " Insurance over this stupid pump, lol

Will it leak under pressure when it's running, or it could leak from gravity? If it leaks from gravity, and dumps 100 gallons all over my bedroom I'm screwed

Any other suggestions? You think it's worth a shot to try it? Or just buy another pump ?

[ZON]

Second one..i personally never think to use a jebao externally..

[ca1ore]

Buddy of mine tried to use one externally, and could not stop it form leaking slightly, Eventually he gave up and bought a Blueline/Panworld.

[GroktheCube]

Originally Posted by fltekdiver

LOL , That's great ! I'll make sure we have " flood " Insurance over this stupid pump, lol

Will it leak under pressure when it's running, or it could leak from gravity? If it leaks from gravity, and dumps 100 gallons all over my bedroom I'm screwed

Any other suggestions? You think it's worth a shot to try it? Or just buy another pump ?

I pump RO/DI up from my basement for WCs/filling the ATO, and I use a Pan World external pump for that purpose.

It's been an absolute workhorse.

[sirreal63]

Originally Posted by fltekdiver

LOL , That's great ! I'll make sure we have " flood " Insurance over this stupid pump, lol

Will it leak under pressure when it's running, or it could leak from gravity? If it leaks from gravity, and dumps 100 gallons all over my bedroom I'm screwed

Any other suggestions? You think it's worth a shot to try it? Or just buy another pump ?

It could leak either way, it isn't really designed for external use.

[Philly guy]

I have a DC12000 as my main return pump and a DC6000 as my skimmer pump. I run both of them externally for the past 6 to 8 months and have had no problems with leaks.

[fltekdiver]

Originally Posted by Philly guy

I have a DC12000 as my main return pump and a DC6000 as my skimmer pump. I run both of them externally for the past 6 to 8 months and have had no problems with leaks.

Wow, perfect! That's what I wanted to hear!

I tried canceling my order with Fish Street , no response yet

If they do cancel my order , I'll go with a panworld

If they don't, I'll give the DC6000 a shot, see what happens

[fltekdiver]

When it would leak, it would leak under pressure being used right?

It wouldn't just leak, and all 75 gallons of SW mix end up on the floor right?

[mcgyvr]

Originally Posted by fltekdiver

When it would leak, it would leak under pressure being used right?

It wouldn't just leak, and all 75 gallons of SW mix end up on the floor right?

It could possibly leak ALL the water that gravity can provide it with..
I had the Waveline pump that was supposedly rated for external use and it was a constant drip without it running at all. Long story.. I sent it back along with the replacement volute they sent that leaked the same.

Any external pump "could" have that happen if the seal fails..

Just like the powercord going into equipment its just a seal or 2 away from a shocking surprise.

[fltekdiver]

Ok makes sense, thanks

[ca1ore]

Originally Posted by GroktheCube

I pump RO/DI up from my basement for WCs/filling the ATO, and I use a Pan World external pump for that purpose.

It's been an absolute workhorse.

I've been very impressed with them. I have some that are going on 10 years old and no signs of any problems.

[fltekdiver]

I like them, the problem is their power consumption is terrible.


Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S3 using Tap Talk

[ca1ore]

Originally Posted by fltekdiver

I like them, the problem is their power consumption is terrible.

Well, yes, operating cost is going to be higher. But, just to play devils advocate, if you end up replacing a Chinese made DC pump 3 or 4 times over the lifetime of a single panworld how much have you actually saved? Just something to think about.

[Gaidin]

I have 2 DC6000s and 1 DC12000, I haven't tried using the 12 externally yet but I can tell you both of my DC6000s leak. Under the back cover it is completely sealed with epoxy so thats not a concern but the issue I am having is leaks from the oring seal behind the impellers. They don't seem to seat very well. I have removed and reseat them multiple times and screwed them down tight and loosened them every which way and no luck. It would still continue a slow steady drip from between where the volute and housing join. The other issue I had is the plastic was very very thin on one of the volutes where the plastic made an L shaped bend to go from the side of the volute towards the threads of the intake. The quality of the volute plastic can be variable and it got so thin there that water would seep straight through what I assume were small cracks in the plastic but too small to see. Hope that helps.

[fltekdiver]

Originally Posted by ca1ore

Well, yes, operating cost is going to be higher. But, just to play devils advocate, if you end up replacing a Chinese made DC pump 3 or 4 times over the lifetime of a single panworld how much have you actually saved? Just something to think about.

How about something like the pump the guys selling here on RC

It's a Reef Octopus RO-DC5500

I looked it up , it's half the wattage and says it can be used externally