submersible or external pump?

[ceejaye23]

Which would be quieter?
Submersible or external return pump?

And which brand would you recommend?
Im a newbie to sumps. Please help.

Thanks fellas.

 

[brich999]

well in general your external pump is bigger and more powerful therefore usually a bit louder. ive used mag drive and quietone submersable and either worked well, but you will find limited submersable pumps over like 1500gph, thats when a lot of people go for external pumps. id highly recommend the reeflo gold series with a 5yr warrenty and very good effeciency.

biggest thing is space in the sump or outside? how much flow you are looking for? (and ofcourse budget)

 

[ceejaye23]

I will mostly look at a 60 gal sump for a 240 gal tank.
Space inside might be 15"x15".. id go for a 1500gph for now..

Those are my specs. Budget will go along with what i need.

 

[prskiller]

Mag Drive 18 is a really good pump, 1800gph. Gph will be less depends on your running head height.

 

[ceejaye23]

With the running head itll drop to 1200gph.. thats seems fine to me as long as the overflow rate is higher correct?

It doesnt show but is this external?

 

[mitchb]

magdrive 18 is submersible pump, i have it running in a 55 gallon sump on my 180 and i cannot hear it really. quieter than an air pump.

 

[swk]

I believe they make a mag 24 as well. Submersible pumps are generally quieter than externals

 

[ojest]

I went with a Little Giant external pump cause I wanted a higher gph pump and my water temp's to stay on the colder side. An as long as I have the door on the cabinet closed where the sump is, I can't hear anything at all. If your putting the sump in an inclosed cabinet, then I don't see there being a problem with noise.

 

[brich999]

also most noise from sumps isnt your pump. id go with a mag18 or 24. external pump if you are going crazy and want to drill your sump. the only external pump ive ever had was a hammerhead gold at 5550gph, and yes it was a bit loud, but id expect some noise from anything running nearly 100gpm

 

[mitchb]

submersible will put more heat in your water for sure, and from what I understand they are usually less efficient on a per dollar basis but have not really looked into it.