Head pressure

Darkmind · Jan 31, 2018

I'm setting up a new sump in my basement. I have everything plumbed up already no problems. It's about 12 foot up from my sump to my display. I have 7 90s in the line returning to my display. Soft plumbed right now so I can still take it apart and make changes. I'd like to find a pump that can handle this head pressure that's controllable and can hand running a uv sterilizer on it as well. Externally mounted pump, I just don't have room for it in my sump. Does anyone have any ideas on what pump could handle this? The tank is a 300 gallon currently setup with LPS & softies. I had a high turn over rate in my old sump but it cracked and I currently have tape and glue holding it together. Any advice would be very appreciated.

DCR · Feb 1, 2018

What diameter is your return line? That will largely determine how much flow you can achieve and help select an appropriate pump.

Hitman · Feb 1, 2018

With that head height and that many elbows I can’t think of a controllable DC pump that would work. For a non controllable I would suggest a reeflo.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/pumps-plumbing/external-pumps/reeflo.html

Matt1997 · Feb 1, 2018

Look into hammerhead pumps. They have a pretty crazy head pressure

Darkmind · Feb 1, 2018

I've got 1 1/2 return plumbing

DCR · Feb 1, 2018

You can get 5x turnover with that pipe. Abyzz 400 if you have the money. A Jebao DCP-18000 if you trust it might be satisfactory but I don't know about running external. As mentioned the Reeflo Hammerhead, but you might get by with the Barracuda. The Iwaki 100 or Pan World 250 in external could also get 1500 gph but not controllable. Consider a separate low head pump and recycle circuit for the UV.

Want2BS8ed · Feb 1, 2018

Go with the Abyzz400. It is initially more expensive upfront, but between the 10-year warranty and savings in electrical cost, you recoup your investment several times over.

My sump is in the basement as well. With 1-1/2" plumping I have the equivalent of 23' of head pressure. With the Abyzz set at 72% I am getting 1,300 measured gallons per hour. In the mid-80% range I was achieving 2,200 GPH (Triton's recommended 10x turnover).

I have said this elsewhere, I have kept an aquarium since I was 5 years old and a marine/Reef aquarium for the past 25+ years and hands down I think the Abyzz pumps are the best value in aquarium equipment I have ever purchased. I'm quick to call out chicanery from manufacturers and don't often make strong recommendations, but this is one.

If you have specific questions regarding real world use and how to control an Abyzz pump from an Apex, give me a shout.

M

Potatohead · Feb 1, 2018

What is the budget? If you can swing it I would do a Red Dragon or an Abyzz. I believe RD just came out with a high pressure version. If you want controllable other than Jebao (not a fan) there aren't really any cheapish DC pumps that will handle that type of head pressure. At that point probably a better option to use something like an Iwaki and use a ball valve on the return to control flow.

ca1ore · Feb 1, 2018

I think a search for external, controllable ..... and real-world pricing .... returns a list of zero. I don't really see why one would want a controllable return pump, so if you drop that as a requirement, the list becomes sizable. My own preference (given that I value reliability and longevity over anything else) is for either Iwaki or Panworld. Both are extremely reliable and will handle high head/pressure applications without working up a sweat. I have also used Reeflo, and while they will handle the pressure, they aren't as reliable as I 'd like. The Magdrive/danner pumps are also an option, though they are a tad noisy and hot for my liking. The red dragon and abyzz pumps seem to be of excellent quality, though it's not clear to me how well they do against pressure, and I just could never justify that kind of $$ on a return pump.

Darkmind · Feb 1, 2018

I've had a jabeo pump 2 times now and both times make it about 6 months and then crash. Warranty seems to be a joke with them. Have any of you had any experience with the red dragon pump? I really would like the abyzz pump but that is a lot of money to get a decent turn over rate.

Potatohead · Feb 1, 2018

Darkmind said:
I've had a jabeo pump 2 times now and both times make it about 6 months and then crash. Warranty seems to be a joke with them. Have any of you had any experience with the red dragon pump? I really would like the abyzz pump but that is a lot of money to get a decent turn over rate.

RD is made by Royal Exclusiv who are known to make top end quality product (for example Bubble King skimmers too). The newer RD3-230 high pressure would be perfect for your application IMO.

http://www.aquariumspecialty.com/red-dragonr-3-speedy-230-watt-high-pressure-pump.html

Abyzz is probably the only step higher in the retail market, but really that's mainly because the warranty is much longer. You pay for it though.

DCR · Feb 1, 2018

The 230W RD high pressure pump would work. Did not mean to overlook it. Still not cheap.

joekool · Feb 1, 2018

I run a reeflo it doesn't use much power and is controllable with a relief valve. You would be looking at the hybrid hammerhead pump. Get the gold version made a little better. Around $400 Next I would go with a jebao/jacod sine wave pump dcp20000. They use less power turned down then a smaller say 18000 50 to 75 percent. The Dcp20000 cost 190 make sure you get the newer model and the controller says dcp20000 on the face not the wattage.

Yes the red dragon and abizz are really nice but that's a lot of money.

I'm going to be installing 2 dcp20000 pumps and keep my reeflo as backup. The DC pumps are much quiter than the reeflo even though the super dart gold I have is really quite but I can hear it hum a bit.

Darkmind · Feb 2, 2018

Can you use the dcp20000 as an external pump?

joekool · Feb 2, 2018

Darkmind said:
Can you use the dcp20000 as an external pump?

Yes you can. I have used multiple jebao pumps externally for years. I have one running my skimmer externally for the past 4 years straight.
If you plan to use the supplied fittings for connections one thing to be mindful of is not to over tighten the fittings and when you take it apart for cleaning the gaskets get hard and sometimes leak when you put back together. You can get gasket rubber in sheet form in the faucet repair section of the home D store. I have used that rubber countless times.

There is however another option that's great for glued PVC connections without using any of the supplied fittings. Go to the electrical isle and buy the grey conduit fittings. The sch40 white fittings are tapered and will not thread on properly to the straight threads on the volute. Make sure to use quality thread tape to seal the threads. I would use a union fitting for ease of maintenance.. Once you have the conduit fittings on good the rest can be sch40 or 80 pipe and fittings, and you also use the standard PVC glue on the grey PVC conduit fittings as well.

Hope this helps

Want2BS8ed · Feb 2, 2018

ca1ore said:
I think a search for external, controllable ..... and real-world pricing .... returns a list of zero. I don't really see why one would want a controllable return pump, so if you drop that as a requirement, the list becomes sizable.

I would have agreed with you on that until a couple of years ago when I got my first Vectra. I think the EcoTech Vectras are ridiculously under powered and wholly inadequate as both a return pump or a recirculating pump, but they do have one calibration feature which I have adapted for my Abyzz.

When you initially calibrate the pump, there is a low flow - just barely trickling water into your overflow - used during feeding. Because the return pipes are full, there is no back-siphoning or heavy splashing when the pump comes back up to speed after a feeding.

One of those things I didn't know I needed until I had it sorta things...

With the Abyzz, that functionality is controlled by my Apex not proprietary software like the EcoTech Vectras.

Plus from an electrical standpoint the DC pumps are more efficient and therefore cost less to operate.

M

ca1ore · Feb 2, 2018

Ok, but I also don't see a need to turn down the main pump for feeding either.

Hitman · Feb 2, 2018

It’s a nice feature while feeding your corals. I never thought I would use it but I now use it every night.

User1 · Feb 2, 2018

I can't speak for most of the higher end pumps mentioned here but just wanted to say that the jabeo's are utterly dog poo and one should stay away. I have the Jebao DCT 15000 and while it moved water and was super quiet the build quality is sub par to say the least. The neck and output feels like a thin layer of plastic - something like a hostess cupcake would come in. I kid you not. I bought this for my 240 gallon return, used it for about a week while performing leak checks, and while moving everything into the house the handle broke. Well, it isn't really a handle I guess but something that looks like one. Anyway disconnecting the plumbing, no stress, unions, and next thing I know the neck is starting to separate from the out take / plumbing. It is just a small break or separation but it is there.

Good news is that I was bit by the Apex bug and pre-ordered a Cor-15. Compare the two and the Cor is build like a Sherman tank. Heavier, thick, and just all around feels strong. Just has quiet and more than enough for what I'm keeping. It won't fit what you are looking for but just wanted to say that the Jebao, while cheaper, and works, the overall build quality is not up to par. You will be buying another one for sure and I'd recommend a spare.

@Want2BS8ed - that is a heck of an elevator pitch. I'd probably buy one just based on that if I had a need :)