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sabeypets 
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 Topic: Internal vs. external pump?
Posted: November 26 2012 at 12:52am |
I run an internal (in sump) pump. It quit working the other day while I was at work, and the tops of some sps died. The water level drops about 2" in the main tank when the pump is not running, and there are lots of sps that have grown up to the water line leaving them exposed. I have to clean the pump once a month in vinegar because of calcium deposits, or it quites working.
1- Do external pumps have this same issue of calcium build up?
2- What are the advantages/disadvantages of internal vs. external?
3- What do you run internal or external, and why?
4- Should I keep all SPS trimmed below the "low tide" line?
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Shaun American Fork  "Would you leave a dead cat in your kitchen till tommorow?" Builderofdreams
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Mr.Gray
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Posted: November 26 2012 at 7:55am |
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1. I've never had that issue with my internal pumps.
2. The biggest difference is heat, and therefore efficiency. External pumps have the ability to move a lot of water more efficiently and without the heat transfer to your tank water.
3. Personally I am going to use two internal pumps to run my system during the winter (it is plummed to my garage). I am doing this specifically so the pumps double as heaters to save a little energy. However, once it starts warming up I am going to switch to an external. I am also going to run two pumps so that way if one fails everything will keep moving.
4. Unless you come up with a failsafe so that can't happen i'd recommend trimming back.
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WhiteReef
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Posted: November 26 2012 at 9:17am |
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+1
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Richard
Former 47G Column Reef, Magna
20" x 18" x 31"H
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Molli
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Posted: November 26 2012 at 9:48am |
1. About your calcium build up -- are you using RO/DI water for your tank? I'm wondering if that is some sort of other mineral buildup that is entering thru your water? I have not had that issue at all with my internal pumps.
2. I'm about keeping water leakage risk as low as possible. To me, an external pump is one more place where you could have a disastrous water leakage event!
3. I'd definitely keep corals below the low tide line.
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ReefOn
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Posted: November 26 2012 at 10:16am |
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I would install a simple check valve on the return line (don't know if this is the case with your system) but most systems lose 2 inches of water due to the back syphon on the return line, not due to the height of the overflows.
I have not seen your plumbing, so this may not be the case on your setup, but 2 inches seems like a lot.
Ps, not your question, just an observation.
To your question, we run many systems using either setup, calcium buildup occurs on 'anything' the water touches, if there are abundant elements or organisms that use it. (ie. tube worms whatever size)
However external pumps are constructed in a way that reduces the amount of surface area in contact with the water, thus reducing the amount of buildup. The parts are also designed to move more water in most cases, leaving more 'open' space between moving parts. This relates to 'small' amounts of buildup not making as large an impact of the mechanics of the pump.
Edited by ReefOn - November 26 2012 at 10:24am
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 ReefOn 7563 S Main St (700W) Midvale, Uta
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Sgt_York
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Posted: November 28 2012 at 9:39am |
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Big fan of external, better flow for energy and reduced heat. They are more noise than internal but not too bad if you choose a good pump. I use 2 1" inlets with strainers a 1.5" line with ball valve and union trimmed down to 1" for pump inlet. Makes cleaning very easy and simple.
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sabeypets
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Posted: November 28 2012 at 8:42pm |
 ReefOn wrote:
I would install a simple check valve on the return line (don't know if this is the case with your system) but most systems lose 2 inches of water due to the back syphon on the return line, not due to the height of the overflows.
I have not seen your plumbing, so this may not be the case on your setup, but 2 inches seems like a lot.
Ps, not your question, just an observation.
To your question, we run many systems using either setup, calcium buildup occurs on 'anything' the water touches, if there are abundant elements or organisms that use it. (ie. tube worms whatever size)
However external pumps are constructed in a way that reduces the amount of surface area in contact with the water, thus reducing the amount of buildup. The parts are also designed to move more water in most cases, leaving more 'open' space between moving parts. This relates to 'small' amounts of buildup not making as large an impact of the mechanics of the pump. |
Jerry, I think that is the answer a check valve! Looks like it only drops about 1" through the overflows.
Molli, yes I use RO water. I have other systems and have no trouble with them. This is a 280 gal system that I run a calcium reactor, kalkwasser reactor, and I still dose two part (lots of calcium).
I have several SPS that are over 12" wide so it wouldn't be a little trim it would frags for everyone.
After reading the replies I think an external pump will work best.
Thanks for all the replies.
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Shaun American Fork "Would you leave a dead cat in your kitchen till tommorow?" Builderofdreams
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