pump for diy canister filter

[tim4072]

i am looking for a water pump to run my filter. i will siphon the water down about 3.5 to 4 feet and the i will pump it back up.

 

what would be the recommended gph for:

 

a 5.5 gallon tank?

a 10 gallon tank?

[Mr. Fosi]

Some people here will probably say mag drive or some other pump, but I am partial to powerheads b/c they are more versitile.

 

I use a maxijet 1200 to pump my water changes from the floor into my tanks (4'-5' high). It pushes the water pretty fast, but that kind of flow might be ideal in a 10g tank. You could probably use a smaller maxijet (like a 900) for the 5.5g.

[Blind Tree Frog]

Some people here will probably say mag drive or some other pump, but I am partial to powerheads b/c they are more versitile..

The advantage to Mag-Drives (and similar) is that they have less head loss then Powerheads generally. So if you need to force water throuh filtration stuff and then up a hieght, you should need a smaller mag drive then you would need.

 

Since I know how to find this page. Check out the head loss on the various mag drives:

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_powerh...eme.asp?CartId=

 

Actually even better:

http://www.reefcentral.com/calc/hlc2.php

Head loss calculator. A maxi jet 12 is what? 300gph? Roughly the same as the Mad Drive 2.

 

Toss both in with the same configuration. At 4 feet on a .75 inch pipe the Mag Drive is putting up 116gph while the Maxi 12 is putting out 0gph.

 

 

So as I said in the first post, if the flow is going to be restricted, go with a mag drive (or similar.. like Quiet One)

 

BTW, I've got 2 3/4" pvc pipes siphoning water out of my 30 gallon. A Mag Drive 1.5 seems to be perfect for pumping the 4 feet back up to my tank.

 

If it's just a return pump, that is my recommendation (or a 1.9). Even if you use a bigger siphon pipe, larger pumps will put out a lot more heat then you want to deal with (I used to be using a Mag Drive 7).

 

If you need to pump water through a filter medium.. then it depends how much you are pumping through. Small pumps for the win though.

[fantasticdan]

I don't think anyone has adressed this yet, but if you are making a canister filter and not a sump you may have over flow issues. If you are making a canister filter and the power goes out theres a good chance of a flood unless you have a very good seal on your canister. also if your pump is too powerful you may flood your tank. well enough of being a pessimist, if you do make one please post pictures and how you made it

[RandyStacyE]

Here's a good DIY Canister Filter

http://randystacye.com/diy_canister_filter.htm

 

I like using these pumps:

http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/fuseac...d/8787/cid/2142

 

 

They can be used inline or submersable. Depending on the size of your system you could use a Maxi Jet or a much bigger pump in that DIY Canister Filter page I listed.

[tim4072]

can you explain the difference between subermisble and inline? is inline a closed loop? also where would you put the pump on http://randystacye.com/diy_canister_filter.htm

thanks.

 

also http://randystacye.com/diy_canister_filter.htm

mentions that you can use this canister as a hang on the back? would a pump be needed for this? exactly how would you do this? thanks.

[tim4072]

any advice?

[Mr. Fosi]

I guess I still don't get why you wouldn't just want to pick up a cheap HOT magnum, but...

 

 

 

This is a pump that is only for in-tank (submerged) duty. This is due to the design of the intake, which doesn't allow for a direct, leak-proof plumbing.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod...5&N=2004+113040

 

This is a pump/powerhead that has a good seal around the intake collar and an intake that can be plumbed with pipe or hose. As such, it can be used for external as well as in-tank duty. Generally, these are only used in-tank, however.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod...9&N=2004+113040

 

This, as well as mag pumps, are used in-tank, in-sump, or externally equally often. They can be counted upon to stay sealed w/o leaks due to their firmly-fitted screw down intake collar.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod...9&N=2004+113041