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  #1  
Old 01/05/2008, 11:25 PM
EllieSuz EllieSuz is offline
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 2
Return Pump outside the sump

I'm attempting to convert my sump to a sump/refugium combination. My LFS has suggested we plumb the return pump outside the sump. Among the advantages are less heat generated in the water and more room to configure the refugium. This sounds like a gigantic leak just waiting to happen. Has anyone tried that and if so, how does it work and what happens when the pump is turned off or there is a power failure? Thanks.
  #2  
Old 01/06/2008, 12:56 AM
ThaNgBOm321 ThaNgBOm321 is offline
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Tx, houston
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no prob at all... done it for years... no problem,restarts when power is supplied to the pump again, no leak... if it did.. it would leak when the pump was running and would blast water everywhere...

YzGyz
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2nd best way is to learn from ones own mistakes but the best way to learn is from others...

thx to Randy and so many other for making reefing that much easier
  #3  
Old 01/06/2008, 11:26 AM
bhdmc bhdmc is offline
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: New York
Posts: 734
I have a Lifereef Berlin sump for over 15 years. Returm pump and skimmer pump are located outside the sump and never had any problems. I run rubber tubing between the pumps and sump to reduce vibration from the pumps.
  #4  
Old 01/06/2008, 07:53 PM
pjf pjf is offline
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: Colorado
Posts: 2,227
An external pump on a 90-degree elbow is easy to service. If you need to remove the pump, you simply lift it up and turn. Easy servicing and space savings are great reasons for putting external pumps on 90-degree elbows.

Here's my parts list:

1-1/4" thread x thread bulkhead: http://www.aquarium-supply.biz/product_p/ris11814.htm
1-1/4" strainer: http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm...detail/iid/8584
1-1/4" 90-degree Male x Female elbow: http://www.plumbingsupply.com/pvc.html#90
1-1/4" x ? threaded bushing: http://www.plumbingsupply.com/pvc.html#90 (Size bushing for pump inlet)

Do size the plumbing larger than the pump inlet. Note that I used 1-1/4" plumbing before my 1" pump inlet. Place the bulkhead low and to the rear of the sump tank.

I used my computer to draw a circle with an "X" and taped it to the glass as a guide for the glass shop. Alternatively, you can hand the bulkhead to the glass shop and let the shop figure out how to place it as low and as rearward as possible.
  #5  
Old 01/06/2008, 08:17 PM
Briankook Briankook is offline
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Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Reading,PA
Posts: 743
In my opinion, an external pump as the return is the nicest way to plumb a system.
Here is a pic of mine:



The yellow pump is the return pump. As you can see, I included unions and ball valves so I can easily pull it offline for cleaning. This has worked very well for me.
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  #6  
Old 01/06/2008, 09:38 PM
rammin28 rammin28 is offline
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Louisville,Ky
Posts: 24
hey brian what panworld is that?
  #7  
Old 01/07/2008, 01:04 AM
EllieSuz EllieSuz is offline
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 2
Thank you so much for taking so much time & effort to reply. The pictures really helped me understand the process.
  #8  
Old 01/07/2008, 12:27 PM
Briankook Briankook is offline
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Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Reading,PA
Posts: 743
rammin28, it is not a Panworld, it is a Blueline. HTH
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