help me decide...

What she said except I use the Magdrive 18 on my 90g.


Luna

 

why you gotta one up me Luna?! Just kidding!! I didn't know they made them all the way up to 18!

 

Alright seems little giant or iwaki japanese motor are winning. Found a good price on a little giant local to me. Going to check into it more. Found out today the local glass shop wants $30 for drilling ONE!? hole in my sump..... lame

 

i prefer to go with an external pump. afaik the mag-drive's are submersible.

reasons for me going with external pump:

- less heat exchange
- if the motor ever shorts it wont shock my tank
- can plumb in additional components easily
- leaves more room in the sump for other components (heater, etc)
- easier to maintain as its external and easy to get to without having to pull it out of the water

 

Valid points! Well I hope you like whichever pump you choose. And of course, update us!

 

this is from the installation instructions for a little giant im reading online: "You need to siphon water into the pump before turning it on. "

im a little puzzled by that statement. if the pump is plumbed in and fed from the sump by gravity on the inlet side why does it need to be siphoned into?

i dont want to have to intervene when this pump starts up

 

Yup....you know, I've never had a little giant. Think I'll put one on my wish list for Christmas & see what all the hooplas about. An Iwaki too (lol).

 

perhaps i can get one from someone on craigslist, im going to check there perhaps it'll shift my decision

 

The pump volute can still be air bound from initial instalation. They are just telling you to make sure there is no air in there. but if it is plumbed into the sump, as soon as you open the isolation valve, it will fill the discharge line to the level of your sump. So you will be good to go.

 

hrmm panworld is made by the ex-chief developer at iwaki. i think im going to save up the extra $20-30 cost difference and go with the iwaki with jap motor. they seem to have the best reviews across the net in comparison to the little giant.