I found a good deal on a Swiftech MCP650 pump, but it comes with barbs for 1/2" tubes. I'm interested in using 1/4" ID tubing, and adapters would be kind of ugly. Is it possible to thread the inside of barbs to accept compression fittings on this pump?
that pump is designed for high flow systems and may have adverse efects on your tiny loop. I would get a csystems pump for that size bore. and I guess it is posible to tap the iner diameter of the barbs but be carefull not to split the plastic.
Yeah, i agree JK. Tapping barbs sounds like a bodge to me. They arent the thickest things and tapping them will only make them weaker.
Some one on this forum did just that, but I can't remember who they are. They tapped the top for pushfits I think.
Just looked up the specs, and you're right, it's higher flow that I expected from such a small pump. I'm trying to save space by not getting an Eheim but that may not be an option. And the Eheim has adapters for smaller tubes, so that's a bonus.
The C-systems CSPMAG is actually a rather high-flow pump as well, but it's not as demanding of an unrestricted inlet as the Laing D4 (swiftech 650, etc) pumps are. Yes someone here did tap the D4, but I'd recommend getting a pump that won't mind a restricted inlet as much (even the old swiftech kits that used that versus the new DDC/swiftech 350(?) had a foot of 1/2" tubing on the inlet so it wouldn't choke). /edit - I should note that after having said what I did about the CSP's being advertised as for 3/8"-1/2" systems, I do run mine with a 6mm (~1/4") ID setup, with a right-angle on the inlet on top of that. But it doesn't cause cavitation from the restriction like a D4 would.
The csystems pump would be a way better choice. This is a good small pump http://www.dtekcustoms.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=148&HS=1 It should be better than a swiftech.
