Dale,

MAG's aren't pressure rated. Personally I'd go for the MAK4. They are pressure rated. Run a beckett great and consume a LOT less power. 1/2 to 1/3rd the power consumption.

Often the decision here comes down to whether your sump is drilled or not. I have to use a submersible pump as I don't have any holes to run an external pump thru!

I run my huge venturi skimmer with the intake for the pump as a U over the sump. I just upsized the tubing on the U to 1.5" and it shouldnt restrict the pump what soever. Just another opinion :biggrin:

Jon, what happens if the power goes out? Don't you lose prime?

Not if the pumps below the water line.

OK, but how did you get water in the pipe in the first place?

union

OK, what about air bubbles? Wouldn't they break the suction? Sorry for all the questions, I just didn't think that would work (not well, anyway)

If you have enough flow air bubbles wont be a factor, they wouldn't be there long.

Clinton

what bubbles? As long as the pumps low enough and enough water remains in the pvc then she just fires back up again. My returns are done this way.

Jamie, the area in my sump I draw skimmer water from is pretty frothy! I figured if enough air got in the pipe, the siphon would break. I'll certainly try this at some point....

Brad, I don't have many bubbles were I'm pulling from but don't see a problem either way.

Thanks Darren. I was thinking of going with the MAK 4.

I would just run a U tube over the sump until I get a chance to build my new sump and then I would install it using a bulkhead. There shouldn't be a problem using the U tube if it was kept as short as possible. If the power goes out there should enough water left in the pump and the skimmer to get it going again.

Brad,

I ran a MAK4 on my B3 as a U tube as well. As long as there is water above the intake of the pump so that when the impellor spins suction will be created. Usually enough to get the water flowing again. Worked with mine. :) As long as it was below the water line that is. ;) Now when the pump was above the water line.. different story.. lol Better go find someone who has good lips and can sucka golf ball through a garden hose. ;) It was for that reason I went to the below the waterline.

Anytime Dale.. :smile:

Exactally! it's also feeding off the sump so if the power goes out then there is even more water in the sump.

Well thanks to Troy and Jamie I was able to get a Mak 4 and hook it up to my skimmer. :eek:

I thought it was producing alot of foam using the Mag 12. :biggrin:

I hooked the pump to the sump using a U tube. I primed the pump by sucking on the hose connected to the pump output.

Only thing is I forgot about the PVC glue fumes in the pump input plumbing. :eek: :drinking: :smilecol: :rainbowa: :eggface: