Pump Survey: Rio or MagDrive?

[ScottWV1]

Background:
* 2-40 gallon tanks, one with a tank return 4' above the sump and the other with a tank return 6'above the sump. Tank return bulkheads are 3/4" and the overflow bulkheads are 1".
* 1-20 gallon Ecosystem-style sump (15 gallons max actual water).
* Both tanks running off single sump.
* Water flow thru sump needs to be 800-1000 gph (according to Ecosystem filtration engineers)

I will need two pumps, one to pump up to 500 gal @ 6' of head pressure and one to pump up to 500 gal @ 4' head pressure.

From the specs I have found (on Rio and MagDrive pumps) I am contemplating the Rio 2500 and 3100 OR the MagDrive 700 and 950. I may need to use a valve on the return lines to reduce flow alittle? I believe that is okay.

These pumps need to be submersible and will sit in the same sump (space is limited).

Which brand of pumps would you recommend? Quietness, reliability, electricity, and heat generation should be considered.

I have thought about using one, higher output pump and teeing to the 2 tanks, but am leaning towards individual pumps.

Opinions?
Thx, Scott

[Ltspd]

MagDrive.

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Paul C
The important thing is not to stop questioning.
Einstein

[SPASSE]

ScottWV1,

No question, go with the Mag pump.

I did a failure analysis on a RIO 2500 that fried an entire reef tank.

In addition, I have personally had several RIO 1700’s fail for me, though not catastrophically like the 2500 I examined.

Regards,

Scott

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The definition of an expert is a washed-up drip under pressure.
You can see my reeftank at http://www.homestead.com/spasse/

[Aragorn]

MagDrive hands down! I've already had a Rio fail on me after 3 months. I've now got 4 Mags...all silent, powerful and problem free.

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Remember...Wherever you go...There you are.

[Neal359]

i have hade a rio pump for about 6 months quiet and reliable. the only time i have hade any problems with them is when thay run dry in a sump bacouse the water level goes down and the rio pump burned out realy quickly. tha will go bad in seconds if their not sumerged fully in water

[PerryinCA]

Mag, no question. Pump more, last longer, run quieter, not that much more $.

-Perry

[hai42]

I would have to agree with MagDrive pumps. They are UL listed unlike that of Rio pumps. They are also much much quieter.

[ScottWV1]

Thx to all! I have ordered the Mags. I also think I've decided to go with VHOs w/ icecaps instead of PCs. A very tough decision - probably wouldn't go wrong either way.

Thx again, & Happy Holidays!

[Rick]

MagDrive pumps.

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http://members.home.net/rickf515/marine.html

[golfish]

I've used a few Rio's in my day and never had a problem with them except for the 3100 on my RD2 skimmer. Everytime I would shut it down I'd have to take it apart to get it restarted. I have a Rio 2500 used as a return. Its been running for 5 years and never ever has failed. I clean it once a year. I replaced the 3100 with a Mag 7 and it works just fine...........

Mark

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Tank site is still under constuction.
http://members.aol.com/golfish49/index.html

[Jegg]

definitley go with mags as they are like the timex marlin
they keep on ticking without any varyences

[ReefHog]

Can the Mag pumps output housing be taken off and turned so it is to the side instead of up? It looks like there are plastic screws holding the housing on.

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Art
Art's Aquariums

[Rob]

I have Mags (Danner). Lowest price was at:

http://www.championlighting.com

However, the mags are not terribly quiet. We are currently transitioning to a new, much larger tank with a new design of sump... details later. We'll be using one of the Iwaki pressure-rated pumps from the same source. You'll see Japanese Motor and American Motor in the listings: the Japanese motor is unfortunately (and predictably) of better quality and more expensive... but worth it. The new Velocity pumps might be worth checking out as well.

There have been mixed reviews of Rio pumps. I am scared of them! I have a couple that I bought on eBay way back before I knew anything about pumps. I've tested them and keep them for backups. They are loud. They also have two prongs instead of three, NO GROUNDING! Yikes! ZZZZZZZt !!!!!

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Cheers,
Rob