PM Bullet 2 pump help (1 Viewer)

[freeswimmingfish]

I have a PM Bullet 2 skimmer that I am going to use on my new 90g setup. I am trying to figure out what pump to use. I have a Little Giant 4-MDQX-SC that I could use, but would rather not drill another hole into my sump (I already had to drill one for the skimmer drain, it is way too big to fit in my sump/fuge, so it is external). How reliable is it to use "over the top" plumbing so I dont have to drill another hole?
Is there a submersible pump that I could use?
What does RC recommend?
Or should I just go ahead and bite the bullet (pun intended), drill another hole and use the LG pump? I already have a bulkhead that I could use.
Thanks
Joe

 

[jdeveaux]

The MAG18 or MAG24 both work great. With a 90 gallon the MAG18 would be fine.

The feed can go up and over just try and keep the distance between the pump and the injector as short as possible so you don't loose pump pressure.

The return needs to be above the sumps water level for the skimmer to work correctly.

 

[mxmisl]

this article is getting old, but it describes the process we used to design and build the Bullet skimmers back kin the day
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-03/fm/index.php
it also mentions pumps.

PM suggests a number of pumps that work w/ this skimmer, and i will tell you that submersible pumps work fine, like a mag 18 or 24, but we had optimal skimming using a pressure rated external pump

 

[mxmisl]

Here are some suggested pumps
http://www.marinedepot.com/protein_skimmers_precision_marine_bullet_xl-ap.html

GENX PCX40, Sedra 12000, MAG18

 

[mpwolken]

Mag 18 is worthless on this skimmer. Anything less than a pressure rated external skimmer, like an Iwaki 40 RLT, will give you very poor skimming performance.

I tried Mag 18 and the top end Eheim submersible before I decided to use an external pump. It was like night and day.

BTW: I think a mag 24 is very similar to a Mag 18, but designed more for higher flow, less head.