Inline Water Pump Suggestions Please

[Inspired333]

Hey guys,

Well without a huge backstory/rant:

EcoPlus waterpumps need to change their specs and package labeling; they cannot be used inline! Not with any type of confidence.

Can somebody tell me a brand/model to look for, preferably available to canadians. Looking for 400 to 700 GPH range.

I knew EcoPlus's were not able to because of previous frustrations I won't get into but I had to try today because the Danner I went to use is leaking from the output's male thread somewhere. (may be a hairline crack or something). I'll never buy an EcoPlus water pump for anything but a bucket cloner again.

Thanks for any helpful suggestions.

 

[otis33]

look on Amazon for a Wayne 1hp pump. 125 shipped is what I payed for mine. it's bad ass.

 

[Inspired333]

Hey thanks,
Looking online: looks pretty rugged, price is good, weighs 20lbs! lol. 20ft head. Maaad. Are both the inlet/outlet female threaded - I like that.
May be a little too much for the setup; which is a one site undercurrent using a 5Gal control and a 27G strong box type of tote (55-60 liters of water in system).

Thanks again otis


Edit/Thought:
I just took fittings off Danner 500 and dried threads etc. Then carefully applied silicone to the threads and slowly put them back on. Gonna let cure overnight and see what happens (which I should not have to do and may damage), as tomorrow I'm gonna call store and ask if they'll exchange - better yet store credit towards something else. If they won't and the silicone fails too, I might try and pcv cement the faukers in place and try that. Hope one of those works at least til I get an idea of a better pump that is ACTUALLY MEANT for inline use and doesn't just say it is.

 

[Jhhnn]

The Danner Pondmasters are generally really good pumps, inline or submerged, from the 9.5 on up. They're also sold under the Mag drive label. The 7's & smaller don't have a really good scroll design, have a tendency to leak a little when used inline. Not self priming & they need to be kept wet, but they'll run for a very long time w/ no fuss at all if properly set up.

They're highly regarded among advanced pond keepers & aquarists.

 

[Inspired333]

So I ended up taking off the inlet & outlet barbs and siliconed them on carefully and let it set for a good 24-36 hours (to be sure). It's been....well since that last post I guess and the setup is leak free at those connections (and everywhere else).

The Danner Pondmasters are generally really good pumps, inline or submerged, from the 9.5 on up. They're also sold under the Mag drive label. The 7's & smaller don't have a really good scroll design, have a tendency to leak a little when used inline. Not self priming & they need to be kept wet, but they'll run for a very long time w/ no fuss at all if properly set up.

They're highly regarded among advanced pond keepers & aquarists.

Yea, they are def regarded highly at least from internet searches and stuff.
I really don't like the male threads for the outlet though :/ maybe that's just me.
I know nothing about the difference in the whole "above the 700gph models" or what a scroll design is - cool, maybe I'll research that

I bought a couple (the 350 and the 500) for those reasons; seemed highly regarded, mag drive, long lasting and also price seems good too.

I'm thinking my next purchase of water pump will be a DC pump. Sooo awesome and practical, check'em out if you haven't heard of'em. Less wattage for oodles more power. Different speeds - that don't seem like a gimmick either by the way // they come with this nice little detachable "controller" for speed selection and have a 'feed' mode -- well you can check if it interests ya anyways Many inlet/outlet sizes come with the models/brands I've seen.

Thanks for your input.

 

[Ranger]

little giant makes damn good pumps, had one running on my pond for 5 years straight.

 

[JamesFarmer]

I am running EcoPlus and Little Giant pumps inline without issue. I have had to use thread sealer on threaded connections that have been disassembled & reassembled a few times.

Also, when looking for replacement parts for my Little Giant I discovered that it appears to have been manufactured by Danner....

 

[HellaFella420]

Why would you silicone the fittings on?!?!? I feel they are too easy to break, at least with my level of abuse...

they make a sweet little product called TEFLON TAPE that serves the exact same purpose without the performance

 

[Inspired333]

little giant makes damn good pumps, had one running on my pond for 5 years straight.

I remember coming across little giant pumps in my internet travels. That's a good 'review'; thanks.

I am running EcoPlus and Little Giant pumps inline without issue. I have had to use thread sealer on threaded connections that have been disassembled & reassembled a few times.

Also, when looking for replacement parts for my Little Giant I discovered that it appears to have been manufactured by Danner....

Yea, I think I might have ran an EcoPlus inline once before IIRC. There are stories of those using them with no issues around...
Interesting about the LG being possibly mand' by Danner.

Why would you silicone the fittings on?!?!? I feel they are too easy to break, at least with my level of abuse...

..So ..that..it wouldn't leak...? Hah; and it's working like a charm right now. Not sure what your relating there with silicone and "you feeling that are too easy to break" unless you're talking about the silicone acting as a lube and then over-tightening the fitting -- which leads to my response to the next quote/post..

they make a sweet little product called TEFLON TAPE that serves the exact same purpose without the performance

TEFLON TAPE is not a sealant. It's a lubricant. I mentioned this in another thread I did - I think it was about DIY spigot/bulkheads or something.

I've got drawers of plumbing parts and products all of which I know how and when to use (learning from doing and reading - not a plumber). I've got a few rolls of that sweet little product bro
People use teflon tape in the wrong situations and it leads to over-tightening fittings thus causing problems all the time.

I was weary to use silicone but the pump was leaky/ruined anyway and this fixed it. I don't plan on ever changing the fittings on it - but I could, it's not adhesive guys, it's a silicone II sealant (eco safe etc).

I think when it comes time for a new water pump it will be a DC pump, for all the reasons mentioned. But I'll keep an open mind to those robust looking inline pumps as well.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

 

[Inspired333]

little giant makes damn good pumps, had one running on my pond for 5 years straight.

Oh I meant to ask you - was that one running inline?
Thanks Ranger

 

[HellaFella420]

Weird, I've never used Teflon Tape to lubricate anything before, I'm always too busy using it to MAKE JUNCTIONS water/air tight..

Strange how that thin, strong material seems to fit in all the little crack and crevices where liquids and gasses try to leak through.

I guess Bob Vila ain't got shit on you.....seems you remarked in a thread on the internet that "that isn't what Teflon tape is for" Weird, the world has been using it wrong this WHOLE TIME?

Knock off the BOLD bullshit..... its no different then ALLCAPS mebbe even worse.

Fuckwad

 

[Ranger]

Oh I meant to ask you - was that one running inline?
Thanks Ranger

you're welcome

yes it was and outdoors through all seasons as well. i have used them many years on my pond and coral reef tanks without issue. my son has one running on his salt tank now in fact.

i have no idea who makes them if different from 10 years ago, but the one my son has now, seems identical to the ones i used years ago, if that helps.

 

[Inspired333]

Weird, I've never used Teflon Tape to lubricate anything before, I'm always too busy using it to MAKE JUNCTIONS water/air tight..

Then I guess you've never used teflon tape before. But yes, you are still using it to make junctions water/air tight. I should have said it's main function is a lubricant for the joint, at least with non-metal thread/fittings. Some say not even to use it with non metal stuff.

Strange how that thin, strong material seems to fit in all the little crack and crevices where liquids and gasses try to leak through.

No, that's not strange; as teflon tape, pipe dope etc have more than one primary function - one of the main functions be to lubricate the threads so that the fittings can be tightened further, more smoothly, or properly at all. In the case of "square", i.e.: "not tapered" threads, you actually need it to tighten the joint enough so that the threads deform ever so slightly/merge, for lack of better wording. But also they have the function of sealing, absolutely.

I guess Bob Vila ain't got shit on you.....seems you remarked in a thread on the internet that "that isn't what Teflon tape is for" Weird, the world has been using it wrong this WHOLE TIME?

Bob Vila is your hard evidence eh? Hang on, let's ask Red Green what he thinks... ...Red says you can use duct tape too, lol.

Knock off the BOLD bullshit..... its no different then ALLCAPS mebbe even worse.

I generally use the bold to make it easier to show my responses to other's text within a quote.
It is literally and completely different than using all caps; certainly not worse.
I notice you misspelled "maybe" as "mebbe" but that's ok bro.

Fuckwad

That's pretty unnecessary, and "mebbe" even ironic(?) considering you're the one who's in the wrong here - at least attitude wise. Why are you so angry?

I won't post links to the multitude of forums/threads where this topic is discussed, and still "argued" in either direction but a simple search and you can find them.
My info knowledge of it came/comes from previous (exhaustive) internet research (like I try to do with most things), then asking a few pipe-fitters and plumbers (some whom I know personally) some journeymen/red seal in their trades and as always -- applying some logical and critical thinking before, during and afterwards.

Note: Both of your "sentences" from your original post didn't make much sense. But I do appreciate your trying to help.

Thanks.

you're welcome

yes it was and outdoors through all seasons as well. i have used them many years on my pond and coral reef tanks without issue. my son has one running on his salt tank now in fact.

i have no idea who makes them if different from 10 years ago, but the one my son has now, seems identical to the ones i used years ago, if that helps.

That helps very much, thank you.
I'll try and remember and give them a look when I next need one...or just want one