External Pump Suggestions

[ReefingWerewolf]

My 90 gallon reef build is taking longer than expected partly because my parents decided to remodel the basement around the tank. And holding up the adding of carpets is a small leak in the return pump line. And my dad has decided that as long as we need to replace the pipes we might as well replace the ancient Iwaki pump that came with the tank. The Iwaki pump is pretty much the only peice of equipement that has been relyable, but my parents have decided its too loud. So basically Im shopping for a new external return pump that is reliable and most of all quiet, (paid for by my parents), suggestions?

P.S. If anyone had advise as to how to easily and without the risk of flooding replace the piping from the sump up through the bottom of my overflow box (my system came with a spray bar.)

Thanks :)

[JoelA7]

Look into a dc pump. I have a waveline 6000 and it's silent and perfect so far. Get one sized so you can run it at half or two thirds and it should last forever.

[mattgumaer]

I have an Eheim 1262. It is completely silent.

Matt

[jamesamantha]

Just drain the overflow box. If nothing else you can siphon it out with a hose.

How much flow are you looking for from your pump? I like Pan World pumps. I run the 40 PX because it has no fan and is silent. If you need more flow the bigger Pan World pumps come with cooling fans and noise. But there is an easy modification with a CPU heatsink and silent computer fan you can perform....silent pump after that mod.

[ReefingWerewolf]

114 views and 3 replies come on :) Im looking into eather a replacement Iwaki or possibly a reeflo. How loud do they tend to be?

[whosurcaddie]

Whatever pump you get you can just put something like this under it and it wont make a sound. http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/sound-dampening-pad.html

I haven't used an external in years so I'm no help there.

[slief]

If it were me, there would be 2 pumps I would consider and a DC pump would absolutely not be one of them. A DC pump will not be anywhere near as reliable as your Iwaki which is about the most reliable pump you can get. The Wavelines like the Jebao's have have very high failure rates ranging from rust, leaks and power supply/controller failures. That is not something you want to deal with on a return pump.

The only two external pumps (besides the Iwaki) I would consider for a tank your size would be the Eheim 1262 as mentioned above or a ATB Flowstar 1500. The Eheim is a time proven pump that will last a long time and is very quiet. It's also very efficient and has very little heat transfer unlike the Iwaki. The ATB is equally time proven with it's Askoll motorblock and is damn near silent, super efficient and little to no heat transfer.. You can get the ATB from ATB USA and the Eheim from just about any online aquarium retailer. There are others like the Little Giants but they will produce noise similar to your Iwaki and also use more power similar to your Iwaki. I run a pair of Reeflo's but they are too big for your tank so you can scratch that off your list. I'm actually considering replacing my Reeflo Dart Gold recirculation pump with an ATB Flowstar 4200 because it is quieter and a bit more efficient.

[ReefingWerewolf]

When I visited atb-usa.com all I could find where skimmers...

[ca1ore]

Thumbs down on DC pump as the main return - particularly run as an external. Reliability is key for the main pump, and I do not think DC pumps meet that requirement (at least, they wouldn't for me). Why is your pump noisy? Maybe it's just old (though I ran an Iwaki for 20 years, so they do last forever) and the bearings are making noise. Maybe it's vibration, and a pad would help. Maybe it's the fan, so not a lot to be done.

I now use PanWorld pumps exclusively as my choice for external pumps. Bigger models are fan cooled, so they're not silent; but not really noisy either. On my 90, however I run a PanWorld 40 which is not fan cooled and is essentially silent (and its 10 years young).

[ReefingWerewolf]

The Flowstar 1500 looks interesting, but I cant find a retailer selling them. Anyone currently using one have advise? As for the Iwaki, the previous owner used it for like 10 years, It does not have a pad, but it runs VERY hot...

[slief]

Thumbs down on DC pump as the main return - particularly run as an external. Reliability is key for the main pump, and I do not think DC pumps meet that requirement (at least, they wouldn't for me). Why is your pump noisy? Maybe it's just old (though I ran an Iwaki for 20 years, so they do last forever) and the bearings are making noise. Maybe it's vibration, and a pad would help. Maybe it's the fan, so not a lot to be done.

I now use PanWorld pumps exclusively as my choice for external pumps. Bigger models are fan cooled, so they're not silent; but not really noisy either. On my 90, however I run a PanWorld 40 which is not fan cooled and is essentially silent (and its 10 years young).

Panworld is a great option to the Iwaki but will generate just about the same amount of noise. They are essentially identical and if memory serves me were designed by the same person. Panworld 40 would however be a suitable option that is more quiet. Only downside there is the heat transfer as they tend to run much warmer in my experience..

I messaged my buddy from ATB USA. Hopefully he will see this thread and respond. I know they are updating their website since he took over so he may not have gotten to updating it with the new Flow Star pumps.

[ca1ore]

Panworld is a great option to the Iwaki but will generate just about the same amount of noise. They are essentially identical and if memory serves me were designed by the same person. Panworld 40 would however be a suitable option that is more quiet. Only downside there is the heat transfer as they tend to run much warmer in my experience.

You are correct that PW pumps are designed by the same engineer as Iwaki. Though it has been a while since I had one of the latter, I do think PW are slightly quieter - though clearly not silent. I've not had particular heat transfer problems frankly. There are more efficient options, though not ones with quite the longevity. Being essentially bullet-proof carries the day for me.

[ReefingWerewolf]

The ATB uses the Askoll 1500 motor, after some research it looks like a bunch of pumps including the Laguna use this pump but at about half the cost. Whats the difference?

[slief]

The ATB uses the Askoll 1500 motor, after some research it looks like a bunch of pumps including the Laguna use this pump but at about half the cost. Whats the difference?

The difference is the volute and the connections along with the base plate. The ATB jas a custom CNC'd volute that allows for threaded fittings and rigid plumbing as opposed to the Laguna only supporting nylon slip on hose. You can connect union ball valves directly to the ATB where as with the Laguna you cannot. The ATB also has a larger inlet and outlet which improve flow. The improved volute also is better suited for external applications as seals better to insure you don't encounter leaks where as the standard Laguna is typically used internally/submerged. Lastly, the ATB version has a nice base plate with rubber feet for vibration dampening. If you stood them side by side, you would see that the ATB modified version is much more robust. The only thing they share in common is the motor block and maybe the impeller. While that may seem like a lot, the volute in and of itself is a big improvement as is having the base plate. If you were going internal, the standard laguna would probably be fine when used with nylon hose but the ATB will still provide much better flow.

[Wazzel]

You are correct that PW pumps are designed by the same engineer as Iwaki. Though it has been a while since I had one of the latter, I do think PW are slightly quieter - though clearly not silent. I've not had particular heat transfer problems frankly. There are more efficient options, though not ones with quite the longevity. Being essentially bullet-proof carries the day for me.

I run a panworld on my 60 and it is silent. If you get one small enough it will not have a fan and that makes it tons quieter. No heat issue from mine.

[Vinny Kreyling]

Look into a Fluval Sea pump @ Marine Depot.
based on an Askol motor block also.