New Pump Choice [HELP!]

[eXCeSS]

Well, after being haunted with the worst experience ever from my QuietOne1200, i am in the market for a new pump. Ive pretty much narrowed it down to either a MAG3 or an Eheim1250.

While the 1250 is a little less preformance wise than the mag3, would the reliability of one be worth the extra money?

As for the Mag3 leaking, i could easily pu an oring in the outlet, then goop it up real well. But as far as the housing goes, whats the problem with that?

Thanks for the help
-Andrew

 

[snowwie]

Mag3 i've heard is higher maintenence. You have to watch it.

whereas the eheim you can probably plug it in as is and forget about it for a year; they are solidly built, and very reliable.

 

[Korndog]

i've heard both are reliable, ehiem is a lot more quiet/less vibrations.
and they should be, so damn expensive..
and i doubt the mag3 is high maintenence..
hell, my maxijet isn't even high maintenence and its been on for the last year and two months *pets maxijet pump* good boy

 

[johan851]

Yeah, I think the Mag3 is a pretty good pump. I haven't been bothered by the noise (can't hear it even with my fans turned off) but it probably does produce more vibrations...I can feel it if I touch my case, but it's not an issue at all...I don't generally hold on to the case for extended periods of time.

You do have to be more careful with setting up the Mag3...but as long as you are, leaking shouldn't be a problem.

 

[cpufan]

If you have a system with higher than average resistance to flow (WW, Cascade, RBX, or GPU and NB), you should consider the Mag3. The head vs. discharge (flowrate) relationship of the Mag3 is considerably better suited for such a system.

Re: the housing. Go easy on the fittings and you should be ok.

 

[Deathmasher]

you guys do know that if you buy them from aquarium supply places they tend to be cheaper. I have seen the 1250s for 60 bux or less at marine depot.

 

[ILikeMy240sx]

I cant tell for sure but using it for 24 hours.... It's quiet. I cant hear it over my PSU fan even when Im close to it. The only problem i see is the vibration. As long as you dont have it touch the computer case it self and have the pump on some vibration dampening material, it should be fine.

Teflon tape on your threads and O-ring (#10 or #11) on the outlet fitting. Be careful when you screw it in... I wrench-tightened mine but I was so scared it was going to crack but it didnt... just take it slow

 

[johan851]

I put a large steel hose clamp over the outside of the inlet barb so that it wouldn't expand too much...might be too careful, but hey...whatever.

 

[unreal]

well i like my ehiem 1250... nice

 

[kusojiji]

What was wrong with the quiet one 1200?

 

[Soja]

I cant tell for sure but using it for 24 hours.... It's quiet. I cant hear it over my PSU fan even when Im close to it. The only problem i see is the vibration. As long as you dont have it touch the computer case it self and have the pump on some vibration dampening material, it should be fine.

Aww, no hugging the case I suppose.

What was wrong with the quiet one 1200?

I heard excess threw it against the wall and it broke in half . Got Epoxy?

 

[blsnelling1]

Actually, I'm not too impressed with the noise level of my Mag3 or Mag5. They both rattle a little. They're not loud but definately not silent either. I was hoping the Mag3 would be quieter than the Mag5 but they're about the same. I have had no reliability probs with either if the mentioned precautions are taken.

 

[vonkaar]

The mag3 is very dependant upon proper 'spongey' mounting. I've seen more than a few examples of metal to metal installations and the mag3 always rattled too much for my taste. Put a nice comfy pillow underneath your pump and you won't hear it. However, we'll then have to call you a sissy for putting a pillow in your case. A mouse pad would work just as well ^_^.

 

[blsnelling1]

I have mine on a foam pad about 1/4" > 3/8" thick but am stil not happy. The rest of the components in my case are very quiet though. All my fans are on rheostats and I'm using an Antec True Blue 480 PSU that has a thermally controlled fan. If all my fans are turned down to low, it's the loudest thing in my case even if I hold it.

 

[blsnelling1]

I just read a great suggestion from ILikeMy240sx. Use a sponge under your pump. This might be an old trick, but I hadn't herd it before. Great idea?

BTW, this post is #100 for me. I'm a true member now!

 

[ILikeMy240sx]

I just read a great suggestion from ILikeMy240sx. Use a sponge under your pump. This might be an old trick, but I hadn't herd it before. Great idea?

BTW, this post is #100 for me. I'm a true member now!

congrats!! Yea, sponge works well, also some vibration dampening material from Home Depot works well too. Just dont use the sponge for dish washing because those sponge get hard over time and just becomes a sollid rock.... The rattling... is that inside the pump or is that rattling caused by the vibration?

Anoter thing... I mounted the same kind of sponge on the legs of the computer so that helps it further...

 

[cpufan]

BTW, this post is #100 for me. I'm a true member now!

I'm still working my way toward 100. I like to buy and sell, and it kills me to not be allowed in the for sale area.

I use two 1/4" thick pieces of neoprene rubber under my pump to mechanically de-couple it from the case. It works pretty well. The material is essentially the stuff many mousepads are made of.

 

[Soja]

I use 2 mousepad squares sandwiching a bubble wrap square. Yes its ridiculous and ghetto but it works until I get my rig up

 

[ILikeMy240sx]

bubble wrap works wonders... I actually laid a sheet under my computer...

 

[blsnelling1]

I'm still working my way toward 100. I like to buy and sell, and it kills me to not be allowed in the for sale area.

That has been one of my big motivations.