Mag Drive or Little Giant

[kev-dog1]

Still researching pumps for future new set-up. Wanna do a 75g RR.
I've estimated head pressure to about 5-6' and to get approx 10x gph the two pumps I'm considering are the Mag 12 and the Little Giant 3mdqx-sc.
Love to hear your opinions
Noisy?
Reliable?
Leaky?
Hot?
Are they both submersible AND external? Haven't decided yet.
Thanks
Kev

[Tennsquire]

I run a Mag 9.5 on my 75, but it's supplemented with the Tunze Turbelle electronic system in the tank, which by itself generates almost 1000 gallons per hour flow. I like the Mags alot. Just gotta clean em, like any other pump. I had the Mag 7 on my AquaC skimmer sieze a few weeks back, and I discovered that one of the blades on the impeller broke. I bought a replacement at the Critter, and mailed the old impellar back to Danner since it was only 5 mos old and I could get a replacement under warranty. Yesterday, I get a brand new Mag 7 from them. Can't beat that......

Also, I don't think it's recommended to use them externally for saltwater. I know I've read that, maybe on their web site. HTH!

[kev-dog1]

Here's another question
If I'm planning some closed loop addition (tbd) to this tank, does that flow rate apply to the 10x tank size target gph? Or am I trying to get this target flow rate thru my sump?

[Tennsquire]

I think 10x through the sump is fine; certainly plenty for skimming and heating needs, assuming that stuff is in the sump. It's certain corals that require high flow that you're putting flow in the tank proper. I noticed that my sps corals started doing better when I upped the in-tank flow, and the skimmer worked better as the flow kept detrius in suspension so the skimmer could get to it.

You can always get the larger pump, and throttle it back some. In my sps prop tank, the return pump is a Mag 7 (it's only a 40 breeder). It was a little much for the overflow, so I "T'd" the return line and plumbed a valve. That way, the pump can run wide open (better for the pump), and the extra flow just returns back to the sump.

[Leopardshark]

LG´s all the way!!!
I have 2 in my 300g and they have been working flawlessly for a long time. Just oil them every few months, clean them and that´s all.
Good luck
Marco

[rleechb]

If you're running the pump internally, obviously a mag. However, if external, run the little giant. I hear anything over a mag 9.5 will be loud if run externally. Some people say they run 12's externally and they're almost silent, but most people will say it's too loud to be tolerated. I was going to go w/ a little giant, but I had trouble finding one, so I just went with an iwaki.

[shortee]

I have a mag 18 and 7. The 7 is louder than the 18. The 7 is in the sump for return and the 18 is on a external closed loop. This is on a 90 aga.

Brad

[kev-dog1]

bump

[MiddletonMark]

I sure like my Mag as a submersible and skimmer pump ... easy to clean and seems to work great.

My Little Giant external I guess I find to be kinda noisy. Not horrible, but competes with my loud Remora Pro skimmer [with Mag, but it's not the pump noise that's loud about the skimmer]. Personally I'd got with a T4 or something, just to cut down noise - my LG seems louder than the overflow sound by far even though it's in the sump. No problems with it, may have had less upkeep than is ideal .... but I find it not the quietest IMO. Others have pumps I found to be nearly silent, don't find my LG to be that at all. If it ever dies - I'm going with a T4 [quiet one] as it's a little more flow and much more silent.

Ramble ramble, enough!

[JasonD]

I have a Mag18 running externally on my 120 sps for over two years no problems haven't even cleaned it yet. For overall reliability and versatility the mag can't be beat. The mag is very quiet, Danner backs up their stuf no problems. That being said

The little giant is an excellent pump and would whole heartedly recommend it a little noiser then the mag though.

Jason