What Water Pump To Go With? Iwaki MD20RZT or Eheim 1260 or Danner Mag 3 or Else?

[j@cko]

From what I've heard, Iwaki MD20RZT and Iwaki MD30RZT are the holy grill for water pumps, but those things are damn expensive though....! I am wondering what is so good about these two pumps and do they worth the $$?
In contrast, Eheim 1260 is a whole lot cheaper. How does Eheim 1260 compare to Iwaki series and its own little brother 1250?
People told me that Danner Mag 3 on the other hand is cheaper and very efficient; but I found a review that says this pump occasionally leaks.....
Anyway, what I am looking for is a QUIET and long lasting pump... oh and did I mention that it has to be affordable?

Thx

Jack

[sandman]

Well, based on that criteria, go with either the eheim 1250 or 1260.

[j@cko]

could any one still tell me what's so good about Iwaki pumps?

[sandman]

Basically, they are just the most reliable pumps....like ever. They have good flow, and they are built like a tank.

[j@cko]

Originally posted by sandman
Basically, they are just the most reliable pumps....like ever. They have good flow, and they are built like a tank.

lol... like a tank.... haha.. i like that...:banana:

[Craig]

When you buy a Iwaki you don't need to buy again. In a watercooling loop a Iwaki lasts almost forever.

The Iwaki is also much more powerfull than other pumps. This is due to the head/max flow ratio. The new Swiftech 600 pump comes close to the MD-15 which is 1 size smaller than the MD-20 Iwaki.

I'd suggest a Iwaki MD-15 to you. Even the MD-15 has more head than most other watercooling pumps used. It's also lower cost and noise than it's bigger brothers. Mount the MD-15 on a layer of foam and you'll have a hard time hearing it over the rest of your system according to many that use it.

The Ehiem 1260 sux for watercooling. It's max flow is way higher than needed or desireable for watercooling, but forces the use of a much higher wattage motor for the pump, which adds heat. The Ehiem 1250 is about the best pump from Ehiem for watercooling.

While I'd buy a Iwaki MD-30Z before a Ehjem 1260, it is also larger than needed or ideal. Those who use the MD30 have to have very large/oversized rads or dual rads to handle the heat the MD30 adds to the loop so as to gain the advantage of it's very massive flow rates. Not the pump for any but experts.

[Craig]

Not sure if you know this or not, so here goes.

The differance in temps between a MD-15 and MD-30 is in most cases no more than 1c if no TEC's are in use in the loop.

You will note that many (most?) who use the MD30-RLZT DO have TEC's in thier systems.

[j@cko]

Thx Craig, ur replies have been very helpful....:toast:

[antipop]

To get a good deal on the iwaki pumps always take a look at ebay, i bought one last week for $45

[Craig]

Yeah, Antipop is right, keep a eye on e-bay for the Iwaki if you're in no hurry.

I watched for a couple weeks then bought my MD15 for retail.

Then 2 weeks latter Antipop gets one off e-bay for about 1/3 what I paid.

Glad I was able to add something that was of help to you!:)