External pump/ sump return question

[CSeaSee]

I've got a question-
Can an external pump (like an Iwaki) draw water up from a source (like a sump) and then continue to pump it out and up, or does the water inlet on the pump need to be more or less on the same level (or below) as the source? And, if it's the latter, how is that accomplished?
Thanks!

[Reefland]

Carl,

Yes they can draw water however the system would have to be primed to get it started. So if you were drawing water over the wall of a tank with a pump would you have to have a T at the top of the plumbing with a cap that you could remove. This would allow you to fill the plumbing with water before starting the pump.

The better option though is to have the external pump pulling water from the sump, with the plumbing going through the glass with a bulkhead.

[CSeaSee]

Got it- thanks!