Main Pump is Dead Again - Question with Drilling 55GAL Sump

[reefdvr]

Can a standard 55gal glass tank be drilled for bulkheads?

I need to switch to a new type of main pump on my 180gal reef tank
ASAP. It went out tonight and I have nothing on hand to cycle it for
now. Hopefully the 4 powerheads will maintain it in the meantime. I'm
not feeding the tank and will keep the (2) 400watt MH lights off
tomorrow to avoid heat build-up.

My main pump was a MAG2400. I've gone through four new Mag Drive
2400's in the past 3 to 4 years and two internal shaft replacements
also. I don't have holes drilled in the glass sump for bulkheads but
would like to switch to an external pump. If I can't drill holes then
I will probably setup a primer configuration to get the external going
after power outages. I can post my idea for this if you want (this
post is already too long). I am considering the Dolphin 3000 Amp
Master for this unless there are reasons I shouldn't. I also split the
main pump to run the skimmer.

The sump is also in use and can't be pulled out from under the tank to
be taken somewhere. I have a DSB section in the sump with lots and
lots of little critters.

Whatever I do, tomorrow I need to get everything or order everything
overnight to have a main pump going on Saturday!!! I'll also check the
LFS, but prices may be much higher than paying for one overnight from
an online store.

Ideas?? I don't want to loose any fish/corals/inverts, but am also
tired of having my Mag 2400 pumps constantly seize up all the time
after common Florida power outages.

Thanks!

[Rikko]

On 24 Jun 2004 21:18:14 -0700, (reefdvr) wrote:

>Can a standard 55gal glass tank be drilled for bulkheads?

Check with the manufacturer - the bottom might be tempered. There
should also be/have once been a sticker on the bottom saying if it is.
I think all of the larger All Glass tanks (well, the 50 and 65
anyways) have a tempered base. That just means bulkhead needs to be
the side pane(s) and not the bottom.

>The sump is also in use and can't be pulled out from under the tank to
>be taken somewhere. I have a DSB section in the sump with lots and
>lots of little critters.

Are we drilling a sump or main tank? I wasn't 100% clear, but either
way this should help:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=234382

[reefdvr]

I've bought a MAG Drive 3600. It's shipping overnight so everything
should be back up and running tomorrow. It uses the same 1' output as
the MAG24.

I decided on not drilling the sump since it's actively used with a DSB
and has been established for a number of years. If it cracked I would
be in more trouble than just needing to replace the main pump. It was
a real pain just getting the 55 GAL sump placed under the tank when I
first set it up.

[Marc Levenson]

Why are you wanting such a large pump on your system? Is the 55g your
sump, or the main display?

You can run a Mag externally, but running it submerged is better because
the water cools the pump somewhat.

Btw, Mag pumps have a 2 or 3 year warranty via Danner MFG, so if you are
having problems, contact them for a free replacement pump. However,
even I wonder how you can go through 3 or 4 pumps in a few months.

The Ampmaster 3000 uses 1.5" plumbing, and needs to be run full open,
without any restrictions because it won't work well when it deals with a
lot of head pressure.

Marc


reefdvr wrote:

> I've bought a MAG Drive 3600. It's shipping overnight so everything
> should be back up and running tomorrow. It uses the same 1' output as
> the MAG24.
>
> I decided on not drilling the sump since it's actively used with a DSB
> and has been established for a number of years. If it cracked I would
> be in more trouble than just needing to replace the main pump. It was
> a real pain just getting the 55 GAL sump placed under the tank when I
> first set it up.

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