Low wattage return pumps

[SLO180]

Seems hard to find wattage numbers for the different brands of pumps.

Anyone know of good return pumps that have low power comsumption/low wattage. I need a pump rated for about 1400-1800 gal/hr. I figured if this thing was going to be on 24/7, the lower wattage will help save a lot of $$.

If the pumps are quiet, thats a plus too.

[ShadowViper]

Try this link for info:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1004207

Also before buying a pump check on its wattage useage, I have noticed alot of people suggesting pumps that end up not being that effecient.

[sjm817]

Why do you want such a large return pump? Big pumps use lots of power. Using the 3 - 5x display size return pump calculation, 1400 GPH is good for a 280 - 450G tank. Are you setting up one that large?

[SLO180]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8994077#post8994077 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjm817
Why do you want such a large return pump? Big pumps use lots of power. Using the 3 - 5x display size return pump calculation, 1400 GPH is good for a 280 - 450G tank. Are you setting up one that large?

Im going to use a couple SCWD's or a squirt to split the lines. im estimating about 400-500 gph of losses through plumbing, head, etc

on a side note.. been looking at the Rio 26pump. Its an in sump, low power, about $80 new and does about 1600 gph before losses. Any thoughts anyone?

[Henry Bowman]

Look at eheim. They have a great reputation among hobyists and IIRC they are pretty energy efficient pumps.

[dougchambers]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8995413#post8995413 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SLO180
Im going to use a couple SCWD's or a squirt to split the lines. im estimating about 400-500 gph of losses through plumbing, head, etc

on a side note.. been looking at the Rio 26pump. Its an in sump, low power, about $80 new and does about 1600 gph before losses. Any thoughts anyone? Have you considered using a smaller return pump and create a dedicated closed loop for your SCWDs? You get a couple of benefits (fewer microbubbles, less overflow noise) from the slower flow rate through your sump while maintaining the higher flow in your display.

-Doug

[Mr..Tang]

Is your sump room far away from your display tank to create such a loss of pressure/volume? My sump room will be around 35' away and I'm looking at a pump around 2000 gph for a 120 gallon display tank.

[Ti]

Mags are pretty good for power to gph

[crumbletop]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8995413#post8995413 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SLO180
Im going to use a couple SCWD's or a squirt to split the lines. im estimating about 400-500 gph of losses through plumbing, head, etc

on a side note.. been looking at the Rio 26pump. Its an in sump, low power, about $80 new and does about 1600 gph before losses. Any thoughts anyone?

Take a look at the Ocean Runner pumps as well as the eheims. My OR 2500 is silent (in sump) and is only 35 Watts for 600 gph at 0' head.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=14677&N=2004+113041

here's a link to the manual with flow/head information:
http://www.customaquatic.com/customaquatic/manuels/oceanrunner.pdf

I don't have a whole lot of experience with this pump (only a couple of weeks) but so far I like it quite a bit.

On a side note, I noticed fosters and smith also has these for sale:

<a href="http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=15955&inm=1&N=2004+22788+2035" target=_blank>http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/Categoryimages/normal/p-29128-38985-pump.jpg</a>

[SLO180]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8995625#post8995625 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mikebharris
Is your sump room far away from your display tank to create such a loss of pressure/volume? My sump room will be around 35' away and I'm looking at a pump around 2000 gph for a 120 gallon display tank.

i need to learn to be more articulate with my typing in the mornings :eek1:

Here is what im planning to do with the returns/closed loop (CL)

Reeflo Dart (3600gph) Closed loop hooked up to 2 SCWD's or some other wavemaker that has 4-6 outlets. im figuring for lots of losses in the squid since the inlet cones down to about 5/8 Plan is to split the return to ~4 lines (2 to the two SCWD's and two to the tank). After losses through SCWD's, check valves, valves, plumbing, head, etc.. rough estimation of ~1800 gph at the tank(used the RC head loss calc)

Ok, this is where the second pump comes in. want to use this to get ~1000 gph through the sump.

Total flow of about 2800 gph through the tank.

Link to pic of what im thinking of doing:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/134713CL_Tank.png

IM OPEN FOR SUGGESTIONS/IDEAS/HELP on pumps, setup, etc.. i do need help on all this since this is my first system this size.

[SLO180]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8995628#post8995628 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Ti
Is your sump room far away from your display tank to create such a loss of pressure/volume? My sump room will be around 35' away and I'm looking at a pump around 2000 gph for a 120 gallon display tank.

sump is under the tank.. just plannin for SPS, so want the high turnover rate

[HippieSmell]

If you want the best, and money isn't an issue, Red Dragon pumps are as good as you can buy.

[hahnmeister]

Red Dragons are not good return pumps though... they are low-pressure/high flow.

At that, there is no such thing as a low-wattage return pump. The whole point of low-wattage pumps is that they have larger shrouds, larger impellers, larger inlets/outlets, and spin slower. When you add head-pressure, their output goes down fast.

A pressure pump will require more watts per gallon moved, or the head-handling capabilities are much less. Smaller outlet, smaller shroud, and a faster spinning impeller... more watts.

My suggestion would be the external PanWorld 40PX, but if you NEED the higher flow, the Velocity T4 would fit what you want.

[SLO180]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9002096#post9002096 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by HippieSmell
If you want the best, and money isn't an issue, Red Dragon pumps are as good as you can buy.

oh i can only wish that money isnt an issue :lolspin:

[phatsonate]

I bought a Velocity T4/Poseidon (newer) from a RC member- absolutely quiet and pretty small. Highly recommended for ~ 1100 GPH @ 4' head.
Energy consumption is not the best, but calculate the cost- not too much more for an ultra-quiet heavy-duty pump.

[dwdenny]

The velocity pumps add a lot heat to the tank because they are water cooled. I would watch out for that as well.

[TandN]

i have to say your wrong I have a red dragon return pump and by far the best I have owned to date and I have owned just about all the pumps that are insump. Mine is 2200 gph and uses 45w's

[wife no likey]

On a 120, you want more than 2800gph; more like 5000.

and a dart through two scwd's will cut it to nothing

[brad23]

If you don't have a lot of head a snapper would work well

[manofcoral]

I use the Dart on my 180 and I am super happy with it. Very quite and pushs a ton of water.
Paul<><

[SLO180]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9003095#post9003095 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pennilessreefer
On a 120, you want more than 2800gph; more like 5000.

and a dart through two scwd's will cut it to nothing


hmm... sounds like there may be two schools of thought on how much flow i need. I thought for an sps tank, about 15-20x turnover was the number to shoot for (~3000 gal/hr after head losses). Is this correct???


by the way.. anyone use scwd's and have an idea how much loss they're taking. Or what type of wavemaker should i use that doesnt cost too much. I would prefer a wavemaker that doesnt use powerheads in the tank, but more on the line of a squirt or scwd that i can set up into the CL

[SLO180]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9002561#post9002561 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dwdenny
The velocity pumps add a lot heat to the tank because they are water cooled. I would watch out for that as well.

btw.. anyone have an idea how much wattage the T3 and T4 use?

[sjm817]

Display turnover does not come from a return pump. Display to sump flow and display turnover are two separate things.

[SLO180]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9003282#post9003282 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by manofcoral
I use the Dart on my 180 and I am super happy with it. Very quite and pushs a ton of water.
Paul<><

how much plumbing/wavemakers/etc are you sending the dart through?

[wife no likey]

Generally speaking, for acros you will probably want in excess of 40x good random flow.


Of course there are many variables (placement, aquascape, etc) but that seems to be a good starting number.


As for the scwd's, I would say that one is responsible for appx 5' of head, so on a dart, you're at nothing. :)

If you want to stay w/ a CL for most of your circulation, you'll probably have to pay the price and go w/ a OM 4-way, although you could just do a manifold or something.

Pete

[SLO180]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9003496#post9003496 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjm817
Display turnover does not come from a return pump. Display to sump flow and display turnover are two separate things.

i agree they are two separate things.. i would like a total flow of about 15-20x. After losses and all, about 3000 gph total between both the return and CL system.

am i thinking of this turnover thing correctly?

[SLO180]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9003521#post9003521 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pennilessreefer
Generally speaking, for acros you will probably want in excess of 40x good random flow.


Of course there are many variables (placement, aquascape, etc) but that seems to be a good starting number.


As for the scwd's, I would say that one is responsible for appx 5' of head, so on a dart, you're at nothing. :)

If you want to stay w/ a CL for most of your circulation, you'll probably have to pay the price and go w/ a OM 4-way, although you could just do a manifold or something.

Pete

thanks for the info... here comes the stupid Q.... whats a manifold? or if you have a pic.. that would help a ton.

I am starting to think i should pay the price to get a good wavemaker. any ideas on a OM super squirt, a bit cheaper ...although, the website says its only rated up to 2500 gph.

What version numbers on the OM do most prefer?

[hahnmeister]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9002847#post9002847 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tanya72806
i have to say your wrong I have a red dragon return pump and by far the best I have owned to date and I have owned just about all the pumps that are insump. Mine is 2200 gph and uses 45w's

Yeah, but when you add 4' of head pressure, that 2200gph gets cut down real fast, doesnt it?

As for the tank here... you dont need a large pump for the sump return... just enough to skim the surface. A sump turnover can be as low as 2x the tank volume per hour. A Pan World 40PX is a great pump for this. 45watts, 480gph at 0 head, and 13.5 ft of head. It will give you just about 250-300 gph turnover through the sump... plenty.

Then, for the main display's flow, you can use a closed loop (or prop driven powerheads... you have options) either drilled through the glass, or better yet, one that hange over the back. A dart is good for this... low wattage, high-flow. This way you are getting flow to the places that need it, and spending the least amount of wattage to do it.