Return pump - in sump or external

[Ratpack]

Just wanted to see what everyone's preference was in regards to return pumps before I drill my sump. So what are the pros and cons of in sump verses external and which do most prefer?

[Geoff]

all my pumps are external except for the skimmer. they tend to add less heat to the tank, except for the Velocities, but they use a completely different cooling system.

they tend to be more powerful. push higher head pressures which mean more water actually gets into your tank.

G~

[depitch]

External pumps!!

I inherited a 125 acrylic corner tank and had to place all pumps in the sump due to space limits.

I had to get chiller to keep from cooking the inhabitants.

HTH

Doug

[Hop]

Ultimately external IMO is the way to go, but often times each system is application specific and it depends. Some internal pumps are better than some external pumps and vise-versa. Research and homework are important

[tellycoleman]

I am using a QuietOne 6000 as an internal return pump. But man does it heat up alot. It gets HOT HOT HOT. However one advantage is that it is a wet dry pump.
so i put a stand in my sump so that the Pump is half in the water and half out. this dropped my tanks temp 1 degree. but man the air under my stand gets hot . better air than my tank water

[Loverotties]

External is the way to go!

[Scruffys Catch]

Definitely external. Helps keep the heat down if nothing else.

[Ratpack]

Thanks for the info, it really confirmed what I thought and external is what I need. Heat will be an issue for me anyways down here in HOT SC. So, with that in mind, what are some of the recommended pumps? I have used the Little Giant 3MDQ-SC in the past with great success, but that was 3+ years ago. Are they still good today or are there better choices without breaking the bank? My display will be 120 gal.

[Hop]

Sequence, Panworld/blueline/coralife, velocity, iwaki.

[Fly Guy]

I prefer submersible return pumps and my return pumps are also plumbed to power my chillers and canister filters. I dont run carbon regularly in the cansiter filters but all i have to do is fill it with media and flip a ball valve and there is one online to use.

I dont have anything against external return pumps but with the rest of my pumps and equipment in my stands I just simply dont have the room for it.

[luvmylo]

no room for external here so I'm running a mag5 on my 50 gal sps tank

[Debs]

I still think the little giant is one of the best. many just as good, but its been around for a while. I've gotten 8 years out of mine, and its still going strong. Same one as you mentioned running my 125

[akarusso]

I have a 90 gallon tank with a mag 950. Any one think is to powerfull?

[Sndwave80]

I had a Mag 9.5 running on my 90gal for the longest time. I liked it. I now have a Mag 18 on my 120gal and wish I had bigger. I really think highly of the Mag pumps- Good price, built tough, but they do produce a bit more heat then other pumps.

[Nyles]

I think for smaller tanks internal, for larger your going to have to go external. For my 155 I go with a internal, but when I upgrade I will go external due to power use and step to a dart. I think it really depends on the system, Internals are so easy.