Anyone out there replace the stock return pump with something larger? Mag 5, 6 or 7? Was thinking on changing out the pump but was curious if anyone had been down this road. Thanks!

Good question. I'm about to set up a Cardiff; basically same as a Solana just round front. I have the 150W HQI...looks like a big Christmas ball so it fits in with the decor for now. We'll see if it I still feel that way in six months.

I'm a bit concerned that the meager overflow couldn't keep up with a bigger return pump. I don't even have water in mine yet so that's just a guess.

I'd be interested in any upgrades folks have done to the stock Solana/Cardiff...fuge, skimmer, return, etc.

I changed it out for a mag 5 to run through my chiller. No problems and fit in there nicely.

I dont see a real reason to just increase the flow through the back compartment. The only reason you need to is if you are T-ing off to another reactor or chiller like MvM. I dont see any advantage to running water through the back compartment any faster because that will decrease its filtering ability. I never have had any problems with the stock one. The most I would do is put a MJ1200 or something in there but the return is pretty strong on those.

I guess another of my concerns with the stock pump is it has a tendancy to air lock after I have it out for a cleaning. I have had mag pumps before and they always seemed a little heavier duty. Plus right now I have it running wide open and I think it is contributing to the tiny air bubbles in my tank......

i never took my stock one out or had a problem with it.

I didnt have a problem with mine either. If you really want to I guess you could get a mag 2 or 3 but that would be the most flow through I would want personally.

I guess another of my concerns with the stock pump is it has a tendancy to air lock after I have it out for a cleaning. I have had mag pumps before and they always seemed a little heavier duty. Plus right now I have it running wide open and I think it is contributing to the tiny air bubbles in my tank......
Most likely the air bubbles (micro bubbles) are from the skimmer.

I changed it out for a mag 5 to run through my chiller. No problems and fit in there nicely.

MvM,
What is your chiller setup? Brand..plumbing configuration....? How is it working out?

I have a Cardiff with the 150W HQI and the temp hit 84 on Monday when it was warm out. I raised the light as high as it would go but the ambient temp cooled off a bit so I'm not sure if the 82 I saw yesterday was due to the light repositioning or not.

Thanks

MvM,
What is your chiller setup? Brand..plumbing configuration....? How is it working out?

I have a Cardiff with the 150W HQI and the temp hit 84 on Monday when it was warm out. I raised the light as high as it would go but the ambient temp cooled off a bit so I'm not sure if the 82 I saw yesterday was due to the light repositioning or not.

Thanks


Danno,

I have a solana 34 with a 250w metal halide and when i first set up i had 6 degree temp swing after 4 hours of use. thought about chiller then about the hundreds they cost. tried something different. Raised the light to 10" off the water by constructing a faux canopy and then mounted a 3" fan about an inch off the water.

Now tank starts day at 78 and when the light comes on with the additional fan blowing from front to back across the water surface, it finishes the 9 hour cycle at 77.2-77.4.

Total cost was about 45 bucks and its alot better on the utility bills.