Mag 1800

Does anyone use a Mag 1800 or similar pond pump for their return? I'm thinking about getting one off of craigslist for my new 80g reef, curious if there if they are only for ponds/bad for reefs...the guy is breaking down a 125g reef so he has obviously used it before. Thanks

 

I used one for a while. It was fairly noisy, but did move a lot of water.

 

Would it be overkill for an 80g shallow sps reef?

 

I'm using one now on my 75 gallon, but not as a return, as a closed loop. It is noisy, but I remedied that by putting a silicone pot holder underneath it...now it is not noisy at all. I had found it to transfer heat A LOT. My closed loop pump is external, meaning it is not submerged in any water, nor my sump. The heat it transfers is strictly the water it pumps. I use my controller to turn it off at night (when my lights go out), and have no temp problems. When first setup, I kept it on 24/7, and temp was 1.5* higher always, and would not go down. I started troubleshooting, and found the Mag 18 to be the culprit. Not trying to dissuade you, but just for your knowledge. I love Mag pumps, and use a 7 for my return, fully submerged in my sump.

EDIT: Not knowing what other wavemakers/powerheads you currently have for flow, I couldn't say if it would be "too much" for your setup. Personally, I don't know if you can have "too much" flow, but you can have to harsh of flow.

 

Good point and thanks for the heads up on the heat. Is the closed loop just for circulation?

Also, right now I'm planning on having a koralia 750 & 1050 in the tank, then split the return line for two heads into the tank.

 

I have used several and currently use the Mag 1800 you are speaking of in my 125. So far i have been very happy with it. You may need to place a valve on it to reduce the outflow. That is not harmful to the pump. Just dont do anything to reduce the inflow to the pump. Noise has not been a big issue for me mostly because other stuff i have makes more noise than the pump and drowns it out! Good luck.