Choose my sump - pics

[londonloco]

I have a thread going over in the Old World forum, can't figure out how to edit it, started a new one. I just bought a 125g off of CL's:

it came with this sump/trickle filter (24Lx12Dx18H) and a 3 MDQX-SC Little Giant Quiet One Pump:

I have this sump (ok, it's dirty, sorry :blush (24Lx13Dx14H) with a mag 9.5 pump:

I originally thought the sump that came with the set up was much smaller, it's actually bigger than my sump, but since it's a trickle filter, I think it will hold less water. Not sure which one to use, someone help me choose please.

 

[verbal]

With the first sump, how do the hose connect to the tank?

 

[londonloco]

It's plumbed inline to the quiet one pump, then pvc to a T, with 3/4" hoses as return lines. It took about 30 mins to plumb the tank, after we tighten one bulkhead, no leaks. The pump is louder than I remember my magdive being, but the mag was internal. We're going to try to put a neoprene pad under the pump, see if that quiets it some. My office is also my fish room (7 tanks). If this pump stays this loud, I'm thinking my next post will be "find me a quiet pump plzzzzzzz".

 

[bschuhart]

If you use the little giant pump, it needs to be oiled reguarly, go to the website for info. That's one reason I stopped using mine and the other was, it's noisy.

Quiet pumps that are very reliable are Iwaki pumps, the best pump in my opinion. Use a circulation pump not a pressure pump in your situation.

 

[Charlutz]

I'd use the first sump as it's better configured for freshwater fish and the trickle filter, which isn't great for SW fish. The second one looks like it's built for a protein skimmer and other reef equipment. I got rid of my external Iwaki because of the noise and went to a submersible mag drive and have been happy for several years.

 

[londonloco]

I'd use the first sump as it's better configured for freshwater fish and the trickle filter, which isn't great for SW fish. The second one looks like it's built for a protein skimmer and other reef equipment. I got rid of my external Iwaki because of the noise and went to a submersible mag drive and have been happy for several years.

Right, the second sump was used on my reef. I have the mag 9.5, it was very quiet, but was also submersible. This is my problem, the first sump is set up for an external pump. How could I seal the sump and go with the 9.5 mag submersed (in the first sump)?

 

[bschuhart]

Is the bulkhead screwed on of glued?

If screwed on just screw a a plug in.
If glued you could just keep it as is and put in a plug after the shut off valve just for extra saftey.

Right, the second sump was used on my reef. I have the mag 9.5, it was very quiet, but was also submersible. This is my problem, the first sump is set up for an external pump. How could I seal the sump and go with the 9.5 mag submersed (in the first sump)?

 

[bschuhart]

I've never had a Mag Drive and allot of people like them. But in defence of Iwaki, I've had 3 Japanese Iwaki's and they are very quiet. The Walchem (American motor) Iwaki's are louder.

With the cabinet doors closed no sound and with the doors open a very soft sound. I've nevered opened the impeller section to clean and one of my pumps has been running almost non stop for 14 years.

Another advange of an outboard pump is it doesn't heat the water as much.

and I also agree the 1st sump looks more for fresh water, you could put in Puret foam insted of bioballs and to catch the dirt put a fine mechanical foam filter sheet on top of the trickle plate since it doesn't seem to have room for filter socks.

Can't wait to see it set up. What are you putting in it?

I'd use the first sump as it's better configured for freshwater fish and the trickle filter, which isn't great for SW fish. The second one looks like it's built for a protein skimmer and other reef equipment. I got rid of my external Iwaki because of the noise and went to a submersible mag drive and have been happy for several years.

 

[Charlutz]

Agree, you can seal up the bulkhead on the sump by capping off that PVC, or just closing the ball valve. You could also run the mag drive externally and plumb it to that valve, but it's probably a bit louder that way. You have a few options, but that sump and pump should easily work for what you are trying to do.

 

[londonloco]

The pump was bolted to the cabinet floor. We took out the bolts and added a homemade pad for it to rest on. Noise is 100% better, slight hum is all that's left. I think I'm keeping the set up just the way it is. Thank you all for the info....

 

[bschuhart]

I put my outboard pumps on a piece of styrofoam, the vibrations from big pumps can resonate through the cabinet, I forgot about that one.

The pump was bolted to the cabinet floor. We took out the bolts and added a homemade pad for it to rest on. Noise is 100% better, slight hum is all that's left. I think I'm keeping the set up just the way it is. Thank you all for the info....

 

[Hawkman2000]

I would use the first system. However, I would use 2 types of bio media. The plastic balls below the trickle plate, then Seachem Matrix under that below the water line.

 

[UNCLERUCKUS]

TRY A MAG DRIVE...QUIET AND EFFICIENT...SUBMERSIBLE RIGHT IN YOUR SUMP ALONG WITH YOUR HEATER . THEY WORK GREAT AND ARE QUIIIIIIIIET.

 

[londonloco]

I have 2 mag 9.5's left over from my reef. They are quiet, but I have to admit, after we got the quietone external pump off the wood and on a pad, it's as quiet as the mag. I'll keep the mag's for a back up.