Best external return pump

[JR's Reef]

Im working on a upgrade and was wanting to use a external pump but dont know whats a good brand. The tank will be around a 170g and I dont like a lot of flow going thru the sump Ill also be running a few small things off the return. Im looking at something around 1100-1500gph but must be able to handle being throttled back so I can add more flow as needed. Thanks

 

[FishLipz]

If I were in the market for another pump, I'd buy an ATB Flowstar. The 1500 is on the high side of where you are looking.

 

[JR's Reef]

If I were in the market for another pump, I'd buy an ATB Flowstar. The 1500 is on the high side of where you are looking.

Thats what I was looking at but there internal right?

 

[AquaWorldPSC]

Red Dragon FTW!!

 

[FishLipz]

Thats what I was looking at but there internal right?

I'm pretty sure they are. I've never seen anybody run one external. If I remember correctly, they no longer come with the union on the inlet, so I guess they are trying to tell us something :bigsmile:



That being said, at one time they DID have a union on the inlet at one time. I'd think that meant you could do it if you wanted to.

 

[phi delt reefer]

Red Dragon is way to expensive for what it is - here are some similar but affordable pumps;

water blaster hy-5000 - 1500gph
atb flowstar 1500 - 1500gph
msx fx-1500 - 1500 gph

the atb and msx are both the same askoll/laguna pumps but use a company specific volute. Both are very quiet (from what i have read) but are even quieter when run in the sump vs. external.

unfortunately none of these pumps do well in high head applications so keep that in mind if that is a requirement for you.

 

[Captain Nemo]

I have heard good things about the reeflo snapper pumps. I personally have no experience with them but just by word of mouth.

 

[Emoney]

pacfic east pumps are nice..been running a PCX55 for around 2 years now

 

[nixer]

i have a snapper on my 180. its also running 2 nextreef mr1.
eventually i think ill move up to a dart, but unless this gives me problems im happy with the flow in the sump.

 

[mjplumber]

Recently upgraded to a Reeflo barracuda and it's pretty quiet. The dart or snapper would be a good choice and can be throttled down.