Inline water pump recommendations for RDWC setup

So I've been trying to reduce water temps in my RDWC setup which is utilizing a submersible water pump (an ecoplus 185). I've read a lot that this pump or another pump that I happen to own (ecoplus 396) can be used inline. However, both just leak and leak from the manifold which after disassembling, is sealed by nothing more than a loosely fitting o-ring. I don't want to keep messing with these pumps and would rather get a purpose built one, so if you guys have any recommendations, do tell. Flow does not need to be more than ~200gph.

I know that the inline definitely helps bc I have my ecoplus 185 working off the siphon effect right now (basically it is running inline but inside of the reservoir) and temps are significantly more stable. Obviously if I lose power or something the pump will burn itself out with no water - idc bc i have a few of these and right now, the stable water temps are more of a concern.

Maybe I set something up wrong and made a bobo mistake so I've attached pics of what I tried to do and what I am doing (bc it may help some people reduce temps in a pinch).

So those are submersible pumps, meaning you can just chuck it in your control bucket and save all that extra plumbing. If it leaks a lil in there it won't matter and the only way to burn it up is if the entire thing empties. I'd go with 50-100gph per tubsite and do a waterfall into each one.

ttystikk said:

So those are submersible pumps, meaning you can just chuck it in your control bucket and save all that extra plumbing. If it leaks a lil in there it won't matter and the only way to burn it up is if the entire thing empties. I'd go with 50-100gph per tubsite and do a waterfall into each one.

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I'm trying to avoid submersing the pump all together. I know that it works but at the cost of exchanging heat into the water. I would like to go inline. The plumbing isn't really an issue and to be honest, I kinda enjoy the plumbing. The issue is the leaking pump manifold. So what I need is a good inline pump recommendation.

Out of curiosity though, what do you mean by "do a waterfall into each one?"

Major Blazer said:

I'm trying to avoid submersing the pump all together. I know that it works but at the cost of exchanging heat into the water. I would like to go inline. The plumbing isn't really an issue and to be honest, I kinda enjoy the plumbing. The issue is the leaking pump manifold. So what I need is a good inline pump recommendation.

Out of curiosity though, what do you mean by "do a waterfall into each one?"

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Pump output goes to a one inch line with half inch funnypipe tees spaced along it. Half inch line from each of these to a tubsite, I use a half inch elbow during as an uncloggable emitter at the end of each. This water can run down through the substrate- only recommended with rocks or hydroton, or waterfall next to the plant where splash will hit the roots.

'Heath Robinson style', so named after someone with this handle put up some really impressive RDWC pics, it's been ten years ago now...

This aerates and mixes without airstones, lines and airpump, saving complexity, money AND heat.

I think airpumps exist in hydro stores solely to make them more money.

Yeah, that's how it is currently setup. I want the pump out of my res though. Benefits are night and day with regard to heat, which is definitely an issue for me.

I have airstones too - two per bucket.

Major Blazer said:

Yeah, that's how it is currently setup. I want the pump out of my res though. Benefits are night and day with regard to heat, which is definitely an issue for me.

I have airstones too - two per bucket.

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Airpumps and stones contribute to heating the water- it's compressed air.

I use a cold coil in my control bucket to manage temperature, keeps things in the low 60s.

My airpump's lines run through the intake of the tent (which make the hoses cooler than ambient air temps before ever making it to the bucket), my air pump sits in direct path with my a/c, and I have tested the water temps with an airstone and without (actually i was encouraged to do so after reading one of your posts) - there is no merit whatsoever in removing the airstones from my plant sites. Thank you though.

The merit is simplicity and peace and quiet. Plus saving a few watts and a few bucks.

Replace your pump. It's the Chinese way!

I use a 360 for the chiller.

No leaks? I have an identical pump and is basically brand new and it leaks from that inlet manifold. perhaps a dud

Grandpapy said:

Replace your pump. It's the Chinese way!

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Well I'm not Chinese or easily defeated haha - turns out that with some teflon tape around the edge of the manifold, around the pre-existing o-ring, the manifold will slide into place with a little more force but a lot more hold. Had the system running 48 hours no with no drips. I went with the 185 b/c I broke the manifold on the 396 after trying to accomplish the same thing using larger, hardware store o-rings.

**Ecoplus submersible pumps CAN work inline...you just may need to mod it a bit**