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View Full Version : The ReeFlo Dart GOLD Pump Has Landed!


Tagareef
02/26/2008, 07:18 PM
And here it is:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/Tagareef/IMG_1603.jpg

It's still breaking in on my Reeflo 250 so I won't post any findings just yet. I will say that this thing is even more quiet than the A.O.Smith motor. Also, not that heat was an issue for me with these Dart pumps, but this Gold pump is BARELY warm!:smokin: Gotta love these Baldor motors!

I bought the pump as a standard Dart Gold pump and swapped the impeller with the needle wheel in the old Dart.

Luis

enemec1
02/26/2008, 07:19 PM
what is the GPH on that pump?

Tagareef
02/26/2008, 07:22 PM
Here is the spec sheet off of the ReeFlo site:

http://www.reeflopumps.com/images/600_REEFLO-GOLD_product_line.jpg

mushumatt
02/26/2008, 07:28 PM
can u guy the pump alone?

Tagareef
02/26/2008, 07:31 PM
Yes, that's what I did. The Reeflo 250 came stock with the A.O.Smith Dart.

woz9683
02/26/2008, 07:38 PM
You can buy just the pump. I believe Premium Aquatics is going to sell them. Here's a thread from awhile back.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1262033

woz9683
02/26/2008, 07:38 PM
Tagareef, where did you get yours?

Tagareef
02/26/2008, 07:55 PM
Michael,

Give Mike at Reef Specialty a call...he is expecting a shipment any day now.

Luis

USC-fan
02/26/2008, 07:57 PM
Man post some more pic of the 250!!

That is an awesome skimmer!!

Tagareef
02/26/2008, 08:01 PM
USC-fan,

Here it is a few days ago with the original Dart needle wheel pump on it.

It IS an awesome skimmer!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/Tagareef/IMG_1548.jpg

Luis

klasiksb
02/26/2008, 09:12 PM
Luis, are you expecting to gain anything with this pump over the A.O Smith motor pump besides being quieter and running cooler?

JRaquatics
02/26/2008, 09:14 PM
Have you noticed any more turbulance/ air pull? Do you have a kill a watt to test what wattage it pulls?

Tagareef
02/26/2008, 11:03 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11952153#post11952153 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by klasiksb
Luis, are you expecting to gain anything with this pump over the A.O Smith motor pump besides being quieter and running cooler?


klasiksb,

One of the main reasons I upgraded the pump is because I ordered the upgraded Reef Specialty cup from Mike today. The taller cup puts a little more head pressure on the pump. Better safe than sorry.

Luis

Tagareef
02/26/2008, 11:07 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11952175#post11952175 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JRaquatics
Have you noticed any more turbulance/ air pull? Do you have a kill a watt to test what wattage it pulls?

Jeremy,

It's kind of hard to tell right now, it's still breaking in. The foam is getting better every hour, but still resembles what it looks like after feeding mysis shrimp!

I'll see how it looks tomorrow and get back to you.

Luis

ZenMan
02/29/2008, 01:22 PM
I'm a copycat!

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/ZenMan70/Reeflo.jpg

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d163/ZenMan70/Orca_Gold.jpg

JRaquatics
02/29/2008, 02:49 PM
Zenman your tee on the output is way too high. The top of the tee should be below the crowning to the neck.

reefkoi
02/29/2008, 05:08 PM
I'm glad they went back to the old style baldor motors, I think they are built much better than the newer spanish built AO Smiths. I was told the baldors are hand built and the AO's are a production line motor, cost less but hit or miss weather you get a really good one or not.
C

cweder
02/29/2008, 05:21 PM
I tried one out, it did draw more air, but I think it increased turbulence as well which may be a bigger factor to best performance for this size skimmer. I did not keep it long enough to make a final judgement. The bubbles were larger, but with the extra power you can restrict air to get fine bubbles again which left me with the turbulence issue. Mine may have just needed more break in time, I kept it 2 weeks. So it will be nice to see how others experience goes. I am trying a new Baldor 17 frame motor now. It does not draw the air the gold version does, but may match the skimmer best, its twice the size of the A.O. Smith, runs cool and has no issues running this skimmer at any level of water or air I want, but seems to be most productive with the air wide open, but if you like dark and dry skimmate. It has the power to handle restricting air without wining about it like the A.O. Smith and even Baldor Gold to a lesser extent.

Beenalongtime79
02/29/2008, 05:56 PM
baldor motors are the bomb!

Tagareef
02/29/2008, 06:10 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11977178#post11977178 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefkoi
I'm glad they went back to the old style baldor motors, I think they are built much better than the newer spanish built AO Smiths. I was told the baldors are hand built and the AO's are a production line motor, cost less but hit or miss weather you get a really good one or not.
C

Chris,

The standard Reeflo skimmer is sold with the A.O.Smith motor and the Dart Golds are available as an upgrade. The price, unfortunately, is significantly upgraded as well!

I can't wait til next Saturday!!!:celeb1: Party at ReefStock!

Luis

Tagareef
02/29/2008, 06:45 PM
Here is the #1 reason for the pump upgrade:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/Tagareef/IMG_1633.jpg


The Reef Specialty cup was waiting for me on the porch when I got home...

Thanks Mike!


Still breaking in,

Luis

BreadmanMike
02/29/2008, 06:46 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11977890#post11977890 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tagareef
Here is the #1 reason for the pump upgrade:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/Tagareef/IMG_1633.jpg


The Reef Specialty cup was waiting for me on the porch when I got home...

Thanks Mike!


Still breaking in,

Luis

I can't wait to get my new cup. :)

Beenalongtime79
02/29/2008, 07:24 PM
Tagareef,

Where'd you get that cool blue PVC piping? Looks nice!

Tagareef
02/29/2008, 07:30 PM
rufio173,

Don't tell anybody....the pipe is wrapped with blue tape!

Beenalongtime79
02/29/2008, 07:47 PM
Tagareef,

Ahhh, it looks cool. Other than it looking more aesthetically pleasing, is there any other reason for it being there?

ZenMan
02/29/2008, 10:54 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11976068#post11976068 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JRaquatics
Zenman your tee on the output is way too high. The top of the tee should be below the crowning to the neck.

Thanks for the tip. I was wondering why I couldn't open the air up all the way. Got it fixed now.

My brand new baldor motor is drawing 128 watts.

reefkoi
03/01/2008, 08:42 AM
Beth from Reeflo told me they'll be showing off the new Gold line of pumps at Reefstock. Something about donating a Dart to the raffle at the end as well ;) maybe it'll be a gold!
C

Tagareef
03/01/2008, 08:54 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11978378#post11978378 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rufio173
Tagareef,

Ahhh, it looks cool. Other than it looking more aesthetically pleasing, is there any other reason for it being there?

No, totally cosmetic. Back in the day...a few of us in the Deltec forum were doing it to amuse Doug!:D

Tagareef
03/01/2008, 08:57 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11979971#post11979971 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ZenMan
Thanks for the tip. I was wondering why I couldn't open the air up all the way. Got it fixed now.

My brand new baldor motor is drawing 128 watts.

Glad you got that plumbing worked out!

I am working with Chris @ ReeFlo trying to figure out why my Dart Gold is running at more watts than my standard Dart.

Tagareef
03/01/2008, 09:04 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11981702#post11981702 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefkoi
Beth from Reeflo told me they'll be showing off the new Gold line of pumps at Reefstock. Something about donating a Dart to the raffle at the end as well ;) maybe it'll be a gold!
C

That's great that they are going to be at ReefStock. Having them local is definitely a plus!

That "Super DART Gold" sounds interesting.

Tagareef
03/01/2008, 10:09 AM
I can't wait to get my new cup. :)

Aquaticman74,

You're going to love the Reef Specialty cup. This is what I woke up to this moring...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/Tagareef/IMG_1643.jpg

The Gold pump is taking the extra head in stride. It's just warm to the touch.

Mike recommended that I wash the cup thoroughly in vinegar. I thought that was too much work. So I gave it a vinegar bath in the dishwasher! I had to remove the top rack, but it worked great.

Luis

JRaquatics
03/01/2008, 10:36 AM
I am glad your happy with the Upgraded cup. I try again and again expalining to reeflo 250 owners how much of a difference in performance the Reef Specialty cup does infact make on these skimmers. Wait until your whole entire cup is filled with the driest foam like I have seen on Mikes skimmer.

Tagareef
03/01/2008, 10:44 AM
I don't have the bio load of Mikes reef, but that's what I'm hoping.

There must be something to this dwell time. In the throat of the cup is just packed solid with tiny, non-turbulent bubbles rising to the top. It's definitely got that "full of milk" thing going on!

JRaquatics
03/01/2008, 11:07 AM
Give the new cup a week or so and you will end up with something like this:
http://i107.photobucket.com/albums/m292/rvision/skimcup20002.jpg

klasiksb
03/01/2008, 11:14 AM
How much does this pump cost?

Tagareef
03/01/2008, 11:40 AM
Jeremy,

I'm expecting it to look like that tomorrow!

Tagareef
03/01/2008, 11:42 AM
klasiksb,

Give Mike a call, I think he just got a shipment in. I don't know of any other retailers that have them yet.

Luis

roktsintst
03/01/2008, 12:16 PM
JR is that the bigger cup on the 200? i have a 200 i just set up and the skimmer rocks. i wish i would have gone w/ the 250 just because but the bigger cup would be sweet!!

BreadmanMike
03/01/2008, 12:21 PM
I'm not sure I'll need the bigger pump, but the cup is a must. My bioload is very low for a BB tank.

JRaquatics
03/01/2008, 12:35 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11982914#post11982914 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by roktsintst
JR is that the bigger cup on the 200? i have a 200 i just set up and the skimmer rocks. i wish i would have gone w/ the 250 just because but the bigger cup would be sweet!!

That is a pic of Mike's (acropora nut) collection cut he uses on his Reeflo 250. He is in the works on developing one for the 200. Which I can not wait for, I think a longer neck would make a night and day difference in performance with the 200.

JRaquatics
03/01/2008, 12:51 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11982537#post11982537 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by klasiksb
How much does this pump cost?

Reef Specialty has it on their site for $370
http://www.reefspecialty.com/product_info.php?products_id=239

klasiksb
03/01/2008, 01:00 PM
Ugh, :lol:

For the price of that and a new cup, spend slightly more and get the 200. :lol: Just when you think you've won, you've still lost. :lol: