Mag pumps used inline

[Len]

Just curious ..... do the current Mag pumps leak when used as inline pumps? I had a old Mag 5 that worked great inline (with my Ca reactor), but I've also heard reports of leaking.

 

[Unarce]

Majority of what I've read on Mags says they do. A bit of leaking and a lot of salt creep. They seem to be bullet-proof when submerged, though.

 

[Anonymous]

I have had a mag 9.5 as the main system pump for my 75G, mounted externally, for years. No leaks and zero salt creep.

Funny, my whole system seems to be immune to salt creep. The only creep I get at all is around the trim on the tank, one the inside, close to where the return comes in.

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

I ran two 18's and a 12 external for three years with no leaks or salt creep problems.

 

[Len]

Thanks. Related question: If i decide to run a Mag inline (versus submersible), is it much louder?

 

[Newbler]

I've got a 9.5 inline helping out an Iwaki and it barely hums. I've also got a 3 and a 7 on closed loops attached to my canopy and they sound like a generator. I've got some foam under the 12 so that may be key. Haven't gotten around to trying to silence the loops. None have creeped yet.

 

[Tackett]

I moved my mag 5 from submerged to inline. I had no leaks, but I can say that it was about 5 times louder. It may have more to do with the fact that I had to run more piping when I took the pump out of the sump, however.

 

[Anonymous]

I have used lots of mags inline. IME they do hum, but if they are in a stand no problem. I have not had a leak problem with any of them. It does seem that they are more prone to chatter if there is an elbow on the return instead of a straight line.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks. Related question: If i decide to run a Mag inline (versus submersible), is it much louder?

Mine were not any louder, but I made sure they were on lots of padding under the pumps and also made sure no pipe touched anything unless it was padded.

 

[Anonymous]

Submerged or inline make no difference in noise, but you need to be more careful when you clean the pump if you use it inline. The pump head housing is very fragile, and if you crack it, it will leak. It is also prone to salt creep if you don't tight it enough. The rubber gasket is not the best one around, you know. But if you tight it too much, you will crack it. Catch-22, sort of.

IMHO, the best pump head are made of good plastic. Nylon is too soft for my taste (little giants), but it is alright. Go with the same material as Iwaski pump and the likes if you want good engineering.

 

[D.W.L.]

Len, you need to really watch the head screws. Easily stripped. Also the "O" ring seems to leak after the initial removal. I just put a bead of silicone there, before closing. Next time just peel it off, and do it again.

Mind you, the Mag 2 on my reactor has been taken apart many times and the "O" ring seems fine on it.