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04-19-2003, 11:20 AM
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#1
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Plankton
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: El Paso, TX
Posts: 41
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Return pump question
While I'm in the process of finishing my stand for my new AGA 75 gal RR tank. I also want to start working on my sump. I have a 29 gallon Pets-Mart glass tank that I plan on using. I've been considering using either a Mag 9.5 submersible return pump, but I'm also very tempted in getting a Japanese made Iwaki return pump.
If I go with an eternal pump like the Iwaki, (forgive my lack of knowledge here) do I need to have my 29 gal sump tank drilled, if so where, and with what size hole for the following models:
MD30RLXT
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55Gal,50#LS, 65#Fiji & Tonga LR, Remora Skimmer,Emperor 400,Lights:4X96W PC, 2Occellaris Clowns,1Hippo tang, 3Green Chromis, Green star polyps,Hammer, yellow polyps, brown polyps,
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04-19-2003, 02:15 PM
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#2
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Super Moderator
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Southern Oregon, Way West of Dimples ;)
Posts: 22,074
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To use the ext pump you will need to drill the 29 for a bulhead fitting. Look at the specs for the pump you have in mind it should give intake and discharge pipe sizes and specify male or female.
You will want a bulkhead fitting at least the same size as the intake side, ie a 1" if the intake on the pump is one inch. You can go larger and reduce it down but dont try to draw from a smaller fitting 
BTW WELCOME to TRT 
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04-19-2003, 03:08 PM
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#3
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Little Fishy
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Surrey, B.C., Canada
Posts: 425
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I'd suggest making the bulkhead larger than the intake of the pump. For example, the Mak4 has 3/4" intake so I'd go with at least a 1" bulkhead (which requires a larger hole than 1"). Buy your bulkhead fitting and then get your tank drilled to the size required. BTW, I've never used the Iwaki pumps but I've heard a lot of feedback on how loud they are. A quiet, reliable and reasonably priced pressure rated pump is the Gen X Mak4. I can't say enough good things about these pumps. They're good for about 1000gph @ 5'head and I have to stress, quiet. |
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04-19-2003, 03:13 PM
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#4
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Plankton
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: El Paso, TX
Posts: 41
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Thanks!
BTW, what do you all think about putting a Mag 9.5 submersible return pump in my sump which will be pumping at about 3.5" length back to my AGA 75 gallon RR ?? would this pump be enough, I also plan installing this with a SCWD so that I can have 2 returns, one on each end of the tank alternating current.
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55Gal,50#LS, 65#Fiji & Tonga LR, Remora Skimmer,Emperor 400,Lights:4X96W PC, 2Occellaris Clowns,1Hippo tang, 3Green Chromis, Green star polyps,Hammer, yellow polyps, brown polyps,
Last edited by JPfish; 04-19-2003 at 03:16 PM.
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04-19-2003, 03:14 PM
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#5
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ROOTS...ROCKS...REGGAE
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: south suburbs of Chicago,Il USA
Posts: 1,214
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Yes, if you go the external pump route get a bulkhead that is at least the same size as the pump intake size. I believe the Iwaki has a 1" intake (check on this before drilling  ) So you would need a 1" bulkhead minimum. Most 1" bulkheads need a 1-3/4" hole drilled and a lot of LFS's will do it for 20-30 dollars. I likw external pumps myself because they don't add a lot of heat to the water. BTW some of the bigger Mag's can be power hogs so compare watts if that's important to you. Bob |
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