Submerged or External Pumps???

[auratum]

Folks,

Looking for some help to think this through. Planning on building a large DIY tank and corresponding filter system. Planning on needing around 3500 gpm at 10' to run the filter. I am looking at a couple different options for pumps - one internal to the sump running submerged and one external to the sump. Here are the pros and cons I could think of for each - what am I missing?

Submerged:

-> Pros: Less piping, no concern of leaking in inlet or bulkhead, no priming issues.

-> Cons: More difficult to access when needing maintenance, takes up room in sump, requires more complicated filter/sump set-up.

External:

-> Pros: More straight forward plumbing and filter set-up, easier to access for maintenance

-> Cons: Concerns with bulkhead leaks on inlet, priming could be more difficult.

I am considering a Pentair or Rainbow SeaHorse 1/2 HP for external or a Beckett W5000 or Cal PLP5000 for submersible. Anyone have good or bad experience with any of these? I have hear of one person who swears by the Beckett pumps...

Your thoughts and insite would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[ziggy2]

External all the way.

 

[rallysman]

I've always had issues with any submersible pump that I've tried, and my externals have been flawless. Just out of curiosity, how big of a tank are you planning? 3500gpm sounds pretty serious! lol

 

[auratum]

I've always had issues with any submersible pump that I've tried, and my externals have been flawless. Just out of curiosity, how big of a tank are you planning? 3500gpm sounds pretty serious! lol

I am planning on ~1200 gallon fresh water tank. ~11'x~4'x~4'.

Planning on a wet dry with the return coming into a spray bar and under gravel jets. Very similar set-up as TheFishGuy did...

Now I just have to convince the wife on the timing - she is OK with the idea.

Anyone have experience with the Pentair/Rainbow 1/2 HP pump? Seems like a good deal for the flow/head and looks to be built like a pool pump.

Thanks,
Patrick

 

[kumdoalan]

Submerged or External ?
Thats a good question for me too...

I have a new indoor pond up and running now with a brand new submerged pump in it.

Last month I ran that same indoor pond with an external pump connected to it.

The main difference so far has been the noise of the external compared to the whisper quiet of the underwater pump running.

Thats about the only thing I have noticed so far,
Except I will add that I also am not so concerned with leaks at hose connection with the underwater pump, whereas I had a few small leaks with my above ground pump and it was a HUGE problem!

 

[cchhcc]

I was confused by your use of the words "to the sump" in the first post. You aren't pumping water to the wet/dry are you?

 

[tank125]

External, besides, for your setup I don't think you have many/any options for that kind of flow with a submersible that is reasonably priced.

 

[auratum]

The Beckett or other waterfall pumps put out lots for flow for a similar price...

I googled pumps and found this site - lots of options.

http://www.wholesalepumps.com/index.cfm?DID=25

 

[auratum]

I was confused by your use of the words "to the sump" in the first post. You aren't pumping water to the wet/dry are you?

The full quote would be "internal to the sump" - meaning that the internal pump would sit inside the sump. The tank would overflow through a prefilter and then through a wet/dry to the sump where it would be pumped back to the tank.