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Life of mag drive pumps
- Thread starter Sunny
- Start date
I think Mags are pretty reliable for the price paid. I guess it depends how much they are asking for.
One downside with mags is that they do impart some heat into the tank. I've also noticed that long term use causes the screws in the pump to rust. Or maybe that was because I was negligent with cleaning...i dunno.
how big is the tank and how many mag drive pumps do you need?
One downside with mags is that they do impart some heat into the tank. I've also noticed that long term use causes the screws in the pump to rust. Or maybe that was because I was negligent with cleaning...i dunno.
how big is the tank and how many mag drive pumps do you need?
by the way -when you are ready to set your tank up and make the leap from cichlids - start a tale of the tank thread - then we can all follow along and provide tips/hints etc.
In terms of best value from a powerhead perspective - i think the tunze appear to retain their value relatively well.
Are you getting everything separately? some folks sell their entire tank complete and will sell at a big discount just to avoid having to deal with various people/etc.
In terms of best value from a powerhead perspective - i think the tunze appear to retain their value relatively well.
Are you getting everything separately? some folks sell their entire tank complete and will sell at a big discount just to avoid having to deal with various people/etc.
I was thinking of a backup pump in case of failure? How can I use an external pump?
How noisy are these?
I am thinking of keeping the tank in my family room. Will it be too noticable?
I am not interested in getting used sump and protein skimmer. Just wanted to get an idea on the pumps is purchsing used was a good idea.
How noisy are these?
I am thinking of keeping the tank in my family room. Will it be too noticable?
I am not interested in getting used sump and protein skimmer. Just wanted to get an idea on the pumps is purchsing used was a good idea.
I have a Mag 12 for me it has been reliable. You will take up a lot of room with the two Mag 9.5. Think the dimensions are the same of the top of my head 7x5x4 or something like that. So heat, space, energy....better to get one pump. I am not familiar with external pumps but basically you plumb them from a drain in sump and then up to the returns.
In teh event of pump failure - the tank will not implode. Most of the in habitants do not rely on the sump pump for flow - hopefully you set up your tank such that the bulk of the flow is coming from the powerheads.
A powerhead consumes far less electricity and you can set up a battery back up on them (or put them on an API). There are pros/cons to this so not trying to push you into going into this direction - just raising alternatives. Anyways a backup 9.5 - are you saying you'd ahve it also running in the tank or just an extra pump in the garage?
External pumps can be noisy depending on what you have - certainly mine has a degree of white noise.
A powerhead consumes far less electricity and you can set up a battery back up on them (or put them on an API). There are pros/cons to this so not trying to push you into going into this direction - just raising alternatives. Anyways a backup 9.5 - are you saying you'd ahve it also running in the tank or just an extra pump in the garage?
External pumps can be noisy depending on what you have - certainly mine has a degree of white noise.
I have no idea how old my used mags were when I got them, but I've added 3 years to them and they are running fine.
I have never had a heat issue. They raise a cold tank about 1-2 degrees. Since my tanks are generally kept warmer than the ambient temp, I would expect that the pump supplied heat is deducted from heat the heaters would have supplied.
I have never had a heat issue. They raise a cold tank about 1-2 degrees. Since my tanks are generally kept warmer than the ambient temp, I would expect that the pump supplied heat is deducted from heat the heaters would have supplied.
i have to get back to work :
so i'll leave someone else to provide in depth answer -
tuning two 9.5s (one for each return) is giong to be difficult. better off just having one pump for both.
Also there is no hard and fast rule regarding a single return pump with manifold - or a smaller return pump with powerheads. Up to you.
so i'll leave someone else to provide in depth answer -tuning two 9.5s (one for each return) is giong to be difficult. better off just having one pump for both.
Also there is no hard and fast rule regarding a single return pump with manifold - or a smaller return pump with powerheads. Up to you.
monroereef said:
Sumps and protein skimmers are things that I would recommend buying used. They have no moving parts to break or wear out and they usually sell for less than half of what they sold for new. Used pumps are ok if they're quality pumps like Iwaki, Panworld or Sequence. From what I've read (never owned one) Mag drive pumps are hit or miss. Some last years with no problems others are lemons. Some of my Iwakis were 12 years old when I sold them, that's than less $20 a year.
I agree Magdrives can be hit or miss, although I have found as of late that I have had better overall luck with them then Quiet One. It seems whenever I have even slight encrusting the Quiet Ones stall and then burn out. I believe it is critical to clean internal pumps frequently. I have let this slide more then three or four months and it has been costly.
Now buying Mags used adds a further element of risk to the hit and miss failure rate. I would recommend keeping used ones as a back up. Furthermore, I would suggest looking a stronger external pump like the Iwaki described above. Much less chance of failure.
Now buying Mags used adds a further element of risk to the hit and miss failure rate. I would recommend keeping used ones as a back up. Furthermore, I would suggest looking a stronger external pump like the Iwaki described above. Much less chance of failure.
I like the mag pumps,I have them on alot of my equiptment,my 90 gal reef is up 6 yrs now,and cant say Ive had a prob with it yet,this tank is up 6 yrs or so.If your buying mag pumps used,just check and make sure the inside isnt "scored"...gd luck hope this helps some