Run Mag pump external?

1knight164

Member
I've read a few threads about running a Mag pump externally but also read the company's recommendation NOT to run it externally. Seems to me that quite a few of you have been successful doing so. Is it just a case of the company practicing CYA and the pump would be just fine? Or can something potentially go wrong? :help:
 

trainfever

Active Member
I run all my pumps inside for 2 reasons. 1 it helps to quiet the motor and 2 it heps to heat the water which causes the heater to come on less often.
 

who dey

Active Member
why would u want to do that? If u want an external pump why not buy one that is purpose built for that application?
 

efishnsea

Active Member
I run mag drives externally, it says right on the box "completely submersible, use in or out of the water, as well as in line use???? If these are the same mag drives you are talking about. They have been running 2 years straight no problems.

 

1knight164

Member
Originally Posted by WHO DEY
why would u want to do that? If u want an external pump why not buy one that is purpose built for that application?
I'm working on a CLS with a SCWD and wanted to take most if not all the powerheads out of the 55 gal tank and still get proper flow. The site that was recommended for DIY showed an Mag running externally.
And again, read a few posts that mentioned running them externally. I'm new. Wanted to see if anyone has done or is doing this.
 

chipmaker

Active Member
I have a bunch of them running externally so I do not add any additional heat to the tanks. I have 6 of them on various tanks of 55 gal up to 110 gal which I used to use to hold small bream and catfish fingerlings and also gold fish and koi fry ouside under a shed. Temps outside got to well over 100 deg and the pumps never complained. They are made to use external or submerged.
 

1knight164

Member
Originally Posted by efishnsea
I run mag drives externally, it says right on the box "completely submersible, use in or out of the water, as well as in line use???? If these are the same mag drives you are talking about. They have been running 2 years straight no problems.

Great setup! I was referring to the "Mag-Drive" brand. When I went to read the description on them online, it said not recommended for external use. What pumps are those? I'm looking 600+ gph with 6' delivery head.
 

efishnsea

Active Member
I use 2 of the Model 18's, with my 5' of head pressure I'm turning over approx. 2000 g/hr in my 210g. I lost the flow charts that came with them but I'm sure you can find them online. Here is a pic of the box if that helps.
 

joncat24

Active Member
i did the same thing about a month ago. added a closed loop with a mag 7 running to a scwd the pump out of the water. It runs perfectly fine and the website I looked up em at says can be run either way external or internal. I have had zero problems out of mine except for a small leak from the pump for the firts couple of days til it got seated.
 

chipmaker

Active Member
Originally Posted by 1knight164
Great setup! I was referring to the "Mag-Drive" brand. When I went to read the description on them online, it said not recommended for external use. What pumps are those? I'm looking 600+ gph with 6' delivery head.

Supreme Mag Drive, or Pond Masters are all the same, made by Danner . Only difference in them is the lengths of the power cord. Everything else is the same. Well if your looking for 600 gph then I would have to say its probably a 7 or a 9.5 pump....both of which work just as good in or out of the water. Oh I may have the numbers wrong and may be in all reality referrencing pond master pumps (LONGER CORD) which I always buy over the other name since I can get them a lot cheaper than the " Supreme mag Drive" name.. I simply cut the cord to suit and use a hospital grade plug to replace plug, and then I have a piece of water proof SJW wire usually about 12 to 15 feet in length for other uses.......and save money as well in the process. Everyone is happy, but the LFS! ;-)
 

efishnsea

Active Member

Originally Posted by joncat24
i did the same thing about a month ago. added a closed loop with a mag 7 running to a scwd the pump out of the water. It runs perfectly fine and the website I looked up em at says can be run either way external or internal. I have had zero problems out of mine except for a small leak from the pump for the firts couple of days til it got seated.

what's scwd
:notsure: :thinking:
 

1knight164

Member

Originally Posted by efishnsea
what's scwd
:notsure: :thinking:
"Switching Current Water Director" Wavemaker pronounced "squid". It's manufactured by 3IQ Ventures, LLC and uses no electricity and less the $40. Fairly inexpensive option to other wavemakers.
 

1knight164

Member
Thanks all!!! I' going to go with the 9.5 and, Chipmaker, if I can get the Pondmaster for less, i'll have to do the same. But something tells my you have a "hook-up"!
Trainfever, I have a problem with heat like Chipmaker so external will help. Thanks again. :joy:
 

chipmaker

Active Member
Search online for a vendor. Go with koi or pond supplies etc instead of aquarium supplies and equipment. A lot of pond equipment vendors have sales this time of year. There is a few out there that have very good prices opn Danner as well as other brands of pumps like Sequence etc....
 

kayak385

Member
Originally Posted by efishnsea
I run mag drives externally, it says right on the box "completely submersible, use in or out of the water, as well as in line use???? If these are the same mag drives you are talking about. They have been running 2 years straight no problems.

Can I see some pics of the rest of your tank and also I have questions on how you did that with your mag drives. Any information would help. I have a thread on my sump which looks a lot worse compared to yours.
 

chipmaker

Active Member
I normally do not read much on pumps etc for aquariums so do not know if leaks at pump are fairly common, but in the ponding world its amazing how many have actually managed to cracktheir pumps inlet or outlets mainly the inlet on the wet ends due to using too much torwue when tighteing or using too much teflon tape. I have seen copy pastes foks made that companies like Sequence or POndmasters (Supreme MAg Drive) now advise againsts using anay teflon tape and recomend a paste thread sealer. Seems the normal three wraps or so of tape reduces normal friction to much so its easy to run a threaded pipe fitting into the pump really easy and by the time its starating to feel tight, the damage is already been done as its now over tightend and has the potential to crack. So use paste type teflon pipe thread dope (its inert and will not hurt fish or inhabitants any) and leave the tape type teflon out of the equasion.
 

1knight164

Member
Originally Posted by chipmaker
I normally do not read much on pumps etc for aquariums so do not know if leaks at pump are fairly common, but in the ponding world its amazing how many have actually managed to cracktheir pumps inlet or outlets mainly the inlet on the wet ends due to using too much torwue when tighteing or using too much teflon tape. I have seen copy pastes foks made that companies like Sequence or POndmasters (Supreme MAg Drive) now advise againsts using anay teflon tape and recomend a paste thread sealer. Seems the normal three wraps or so of tape reduces normal friction to much so its easy to run a threaded pipe fitting into the pump really easy and by the time its starating to feel tight, the damage is already been done as its now over tightend and has the potential to crack. So use paste type teflon pipe thread dope (its inert and will not hurt fish or inhabitants any) and leave the tape type teflon out of the equasion.
Great advice, Chipmaker!!!
I'm a teflon tape user. Do a lot of PVC work in the yard, most of the time not by choice. Anyway, thanks for the tip.
 
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