DC Pumps

mozz · 02/10/2018, 07:54 AM

Hi, after being out of the hobby for a number of years, I have decided to plan another system. My question is, with the variable speed dc pumps now available, do I need an energy bar outlet to turn pump on and off or could I plug it into a wall outlet and turn it off and on with the apex variable speed outlet. Thank you.

Member No. 1 · 02/10/2018, 08:50 AM

Depends on the pump. Some can be controlled by the Apex in this manner, so you could plug the pump's supply into the wall. However some don't, like the Ecotech return pumps, which unlike their Vortex MP series power heads, can't be controlled, so to turn them off you would have to plug them into a EB outlet.
One of the main advantages of controlling a DC pump with an Apex, is that during a FEED Cycle, instead of turning the pump off, you would lower it to a percentage to keep the pump running just enough to keep the return line full. Then ramp back up once the feed cycle cancels. Doing this will prevent the usual splashing and bubbles you get when you turn an AC pump on.

Look into the COR pumps from Apex. Pretty cool what can be done with them, plus all the extra pump monitoring features you get vs other pumps.

five.five-six · 02/18/2018, 11:54 PM

Im running a tunze controllable return pump, what’s the ramp up ramp down feed command?

gonereefing654 · 02/19/2018, 01:28 AM

I don’t think it would ramp down to a complete stop but if you can’t spare the outlet on your ev8 go for it. The Cor pump would probably have more Control ability but I’m not super big on the apex pumps. The lfs by my house has a few and he says it should probably come with an intake screen because even small stuff will get stuck in it.

02/10/2018, 07:54 AM	#1
mozz Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Beverly Hills, FL Posts: 103	DC Pumps Hi, after being out of the hobby for a number of years, I have decided to plan another system. My question is, with the variable speed dc pumps now available, do I need an energy bar outlet to turn pump on and off or could I plug it into a wall outlet and turn it off and on with the apex variable speed outlet. Thank you.

02/10/2018, 08:50 AM	#2
Member No. 1 Ver. 2.1 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Rehoboth, MA Posts: 1,803	Depends on the pump. Some can be controlled by the Apex in this manner, so you could plug the pump's supply into the wall. However some don't, like the Ecotech return pumps, which unlike their Vortex MP series power heads, can't be controlled, so to turn them off you would have to plug them into a EB outlet. One of the main advantages of controlling a DC pump with an Apex, is that during a FEED Cycle, instead of turning the pump off, you would lower it to a percentage to keep the pump running just enough to keep the return line full. Then ramp back up once the feed cycle cancels. Doing this will prevent the usual splashing and bubbles you get when you turn an AC pump on. Look into the COR pumps from Apex. Pretty cool what can be done with them, plus all the extra pump monitoring features you get vs other pumps. __________________ Pete "I never make mistakes... I thought I did once, but I was wrong" Current Tank Info: In the process - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2661614

02/18/2018, 11:54 PM	#3
five.five-six Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Corona Posts: 7,827 Blog Entries: 6	Im running a tunze controllable return pump, what’s the ramp up ramp down feed command? __________________ Originally posted by yellowslayer13: "I hate that hole" Current Tank Info: SCMAS Member 225 peninsula euroreef RS180 Apex 400W X 3 20k radiums / Spectra mixed SPS

02/19/2018, 01:28 AM	#4
gonereefing654 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Corona, CA Posts: 51	I don’t think it would ramp down to a complete stop but if you can’t spare the outlet on your ev8 go for it. The Cor pump would probably have more Control ability but I’m not super big on the apex pumps. The lfs by my house has a few and he says it should probably come with an intake screen because even small stuff will get stuck in it.