pump recommendations

I'm looking for good submersible pump for 75 gal reef tank. I'm putting the sump and refugium in the basement so it's going to have about 12 ft of head. Using an old undrilled 75 as sump so I need a submersible or self priming. So the question is what brand and what size will do the the trick.

 

Welcome to 3reef. It's nice to see another Chicagoan here.

I recommend the Eheim 1262. Works great in my sump for my 72 gal tank. No issues so far in the year I've had it. It's quiet too unless it is sitting against the side of the sump in which case you'll hear some vibrations.

 

12 feet of head eliminates most common pumps as that is about their maximum lift at almost no flow. A Mag 12 or 18 will get you some flow but is not real efficient at that head and will add quite a bit of heat to the system.
You are probably better off drilling the side of the sump and using an external pump like the Reeflo, Iwaki or GenX. There are no good, inexpensive self priming pumps in the hobby, plus self primers are very inefficient as far as energy consumption.

My favorire pumps, Ocean Runner and Eheim are eliminated by the head requirements.

 

Yeah. I missed that. The eheim's out. You'll need an external pump.

 

what about this
Aquarium Water Circulation and Water Pumps: Eugene Danner Supreme Hy-Drive Pumps



Model 1600, CD-70373
$229.49
drsfostersmith.com

2600 HH 2600 gph 26.5 ft(max head) 270watts
1625 gph @15 ft head

 

You won't want or need anywhere near 1600 GPH with a 75G display, plus the wattage is very high. Remember this pump will run 24/7/365 so stay as efficient as possible.

 

has anyone tried this. Use external pump on a shelf above the sump. Once primed should always be good even if there is power loss. Water should sit in there like a p trap and when power is returned should have enough water in there to start sucking again.

 

BlueLine 40 HD-X External Water Pump or larger if you want to run a manifold and run all of your reactors and skimmer off this single pump ?
But for tank alone this one would not ever strain to feed the 75 gals system
Oh this BlueLine 55 HD External Water Pump if you really want to blast some water ?

 

Its not always that easy since aquarium pumps are not self primers. All it takes is a little air bubble and it will sit there and create steam until it frys the pump. I have seen this many times in my pump related career. The other thing is aquarium pumps will not lift water, their impellers are usually an open design and do not have the skirt tolerances that allow them to crate a suction lift.