Fixing to upgrade tank goodies which one????

[est.922]

Things i need

RO/DI unit $300 I currantlly buy water at LFS

AQUA CONTR JR. $250 so many light phase gets annoying keepin them on point, wavemaker would be nice, ph and temp contr really nice much more good points

I need a bigger return pump mine is a 1600 gph with 4 ft head
so i am only turning tank over about 7.5 times per hr i want it in the 15 -20 times per hr. I have my dislpay draining in rock area, skimmer area and plant tank, thats why i would like to see a some more tank turnover power

2500GPH PUMP $300

Budget is around $ 300 so limited to which one i will can get

Which is more important ??????

[RotaryGeek]

I would buy the pump. Flow makes such a huge difference in tanks that it would be well worth it.

[scrapz]

RO/DI for about $190 - mix your own water, know whats going in your tank

Koralia 2x k3/k4 - $70?? you don't want to use the return as your primary flow, you want a slow return rate through your sump to allow your skimmer the most contact time

ac/jr can wait, you can pickup a 2x timer for $4 a pack to control your lighting.

[patsfan1130]

I agree. RO/DI. And it will not run you $300. Check out buckeye field supply (one of the sponsers) and save yourself $100

[est.922]

i was thinking about a reeflo water pump snapper 2500gpf 108 watts for $ $210 or a dart 3600 155watts for $235

Would that Dart be to big but i think you would be able to regulate it down a little if needed.

Thinking about the rodi unit aswell

[est.922]

I also have 4 maxijet modded pumps for flow help, but if i get the big pump i will just build a spraybar comming down each side of my overflow

[SirToppemHat]

RO/DI & bucket of salt. Maybe enough left over for a K4 as scrapz stated.

[painkiller1009]

I would have to pick the RO/DI. $300 for budget will get you a very nice one.
The RO/DI would save you money from buying/lugging water from the lfs plus knowing your water is pristine is nice.
The new pump would cost you more money in electricity, where the powerheads use less watts to move more flow. I don't see how a spray bar would be enough flow for a 120.
Seems like your pretty bent on getting a new pump though. Every post you have made is about a pump.

[est.922]

Yea kinda thinking pump and ro/di, might get in to the $400 but it would make a big differance in water quality

[just dave]

Need to make sure that you have the drain capacity to handle a larger pump.

[seagirl]

Why do you want so much turnover with your return pump? I thought the general idea was 3-5 times system volume per hour thru sump, any faster and your skimmer can't keep up so you are returning dirty water, and then use ph's or CL to provide turnover in the tank.

Be carefull with the AC JR. I have had 4 temp probes fail, so i wouldn't let them control any heaters.

[est.922]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14154970#post14154970 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by seagirl
Why do you want so much turnover with your return pump? I thought the general idea was 3-5 times system volume per hour thru sump, any faster and your skimmer can't keep up so you are returning dirty water, and then use ph's or CL to provide turnover in the tank.

Be carefull with the AC JR. I have had 4 temp probes fail, so i wouldn't let them control any heaters.


well i have a 2 in drain teing into a skimmer area with a small regulated flow. Just the ammount that my skimmer drains out, did the flow est. that way. From there water that don't go to the skimmer area, goes through a 40 watt uv ster then teas into a 20gal long "plant zone" and the other water goes through a rock only area in sump 12x12x18 all 3 drain to middle return area.


so i was guessing

rock area around 300gph flowrate

skimmer area 350-400 gph flowrate pump is rated @ 500 gph, but its a neddle wheel that number is not with the needle wheel I don't think.

then the plantzone flow mabay around 300gph

I know you don't want it to fast through your zones but i just think its a little slow.

mabay its perfect any opions !!!