[AngelLeah1981]

I am needing a pump for a 120 gallon aquarium and I need it to be powerful enough so that I won't have to buy another one later but also keep in mind I'm not wanting to waste money either. lol. This is a tank that is not set up yet but I am wanting to put fish and reef in it. One lfs is suggesting I get one that pumps 1400-1500 gallons per hour and I don't know the price or brand but I'm sure it's ridiculous just like all his other equpiment prices; he is going to call me and let me know today..... and the other lfs suggests a GenX that pumps 1800-2000 gallons per hour and the cost is $120. Is this a good deal? This store usually has good prices but has other issues. lol. Do I need a better brand? Does it matter if it's internal or external? I think he may have said it's internal but I can't remember. How many gph do you suggest and what are your thoughts on this? Also, the lfs with high prices says the GenX only has 6000 which pumps 1600 and a 8500 that pumps 2250 and said the 8500 was probably what the other lfs store was talking about and his price is $199.00. He said this pump can be used as internal or external but he would use it internally because he would be afraid of it overheating ?? Any thoughts and suggestions on this would be GREAT.
Thanks.


2 internal overflows
30-40 gallon sump
probably going to do a fuge (macro algae and rock in sump)

[AngelLeah1981]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...m/PIC-0337.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...m/PIC-0336.jpg

48X24X25
I was told the next piece of equipment to buy after the tank would be the pump so I'm just assuming this is for the water that goes from the tank to the sump and back to the tank again. Here's 2 pics of the tank and the holes that are almost as big as a tennis ball. There is a plastic "box like thing" on both sides for the internal overflows each with two holes. ...just thought this info might be helpful.

[Dr. Clyde]

Not really sure of the GPH requirements of your system but if time is not an issue, once your find that out from someone here you can always shop ebay for the best price.

[Dr. Clyde]

This looks like a good pump & it's alot less than $199. If 1200 gph is enough. I've had little giant pumps before & they are built really well.

Little Giant Aquarium Pump 4-MDQX-SC - eBay (item 250219148896 end time Mar-01-08 14:02:58 PST)

[AngelLeah1981]

Is it safe to buy pumps from ebay?

I forgot to mention this info: From the top of the tank to the bottom of the stand is almost 54 inches.

Thanks for the link. ...going there now

[AngelLeah1981]

I'm going to put macro algae and rock in the sump eventually.

[Krazy]

You can get away with a mag 12 (1200gph) and run it in sump. or a mag 18 (1800 gph) You'd have to dial it back a bit, but it leaves you with room for future additons, ex: phosban reactors in sump. calcium reactor feed, etc.

When you do your plumbing, just make sure to have ball valves on both returns, so you can adjust them back as needed to work with your overflows.

What kind of sump do you have?

Does it have an outlet to use an external pump ??
If so then I'd reccomend an iwaki md series 1400gph range or the reeflo dart pump.

Having more gph then needed isnt always a bad thing, think for the future so you do have to buy later on down the road.

[sentencedme]

go external....less in sump heat problems....my 2 cents....