- Location
- Queens, NY
Hey guys, I wanna use an external pump as a return in my sump. What problems might arise due to this and how can this be achieved?
How to go External
- Thread starter jawwad2004
- Start date
- Location
- The Big City
You can drill a hole in your sump and place a bulk head where you can attach your return pump to. If you don't want to drill your sump you can use a return pump and attach a hose to it and place it in the sump. It will then pull water from the sump into the pump and then to your tank, like a CL, a Eheim Hobby pump works well for this. I use to do this on my old wet/dry filter before I moved it into the wet/dry filter.
By leaving it outside the tank you take a chance that a hose could pop off or the bulk head could start to leak. Also if some one know into the pump it could cause a big leak.
By leaving it outside the tank you take a chance that a hose could pop off or the bulk head could start to leak. Also if some one know into the pump it could cause a big leak.
- Location
- Queens, NY
Well I am using a 20 gallon long by AGA, Im not sure if it can be drilled. If so, that would be awesome and I would definitely go with that setup. Currently I am using a Pro Clear Aquatics Cap 1800 pump (660gph), which is quite underpowered for my 90. I want a faster turnoever rate, however I dont think my durso can handle anything faster. The drain is about 1.5 inches.
drill the side of the tank, place a bulkhead. Use PVC and glue it to the bulk head and the external pump. Place a ball vavle there so u can control the flow. Then theres a plumbing piece called a check valvue, get a plastic one and place it on the return. Should never have a problem as long as u've got a good pump
there may be noise and vibrations, can be easily fixed w/ a piece of plywood and a mouse pad.
there may be noise and vibrations, can be easily fixed w/ a piece of plywood and a mouse pad.
- Location
- Ossining, NY
Vibration from pump (depending on type) could cause crack where you drilled it.
Pump may pull faster than it is draining, sucking and bubbles everywhere.
There are a ton of potential failures that have to be thought out carefully.
Jim
Pump may pull faster than it is draining, sucking and bubbles everywhere.
There are a ton of potential failures that have to be thought out carefully.
Jim
- Location
- The Big City
drunktank said:
What Jim is saying is that if the pump is very strong it will drain out the sump fast, faster then it can fill back up, and then the pump will start to suck air and shoot bubbles back into the tank.
You could put in a float switch and this would stop that problem.
Last edited:
- Location
- Philippines
...i guEsS it is still safer to keep the pump in the sumP :scratchch
- Location
- Philippines
...care to enlighten uS DRZL :scratchch
drunktank said:
Sure!!! Depending on the diameter of the overflow bulkhead it can only handle a certain amount of flow. Take all glass megaflow overflows - they can handle max 600gph (per website). Now if you put a sequence sart or larger on the tank youre screwed.
Pumps as well as pipes are all rated to certain gph at certain headpressure. Just make sure that your pump is rated for less output after headpressure calculations than your overflow can handle.
- Location
- Philippines
...i'LL stick with God, but thanks for the link Dean 
- Location
- Queens, NY
Damn, there are so many factors I need to calculate before I go external. But would you guys say, is it worth the effort? Is going external way better?
- Location
- Queens, NY
Hey, does anyone know how I can calculate how much head pressure ill get with a certain pump, probably something that will do about 600 gph after headpres.?
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