Looking at a possible replacement for return pump-currently Varios 8

[ShawnSaucier]

I have a Varios 8 as a return pump at the moment.
This feeds 2 3/4” return nozzles on the tank. Piping is 1” and fittings go as followed from the pump: 45-90-90-T-90-45-check valve-90-reduction (3/4”) into the 3/4” lock line.

Tank was plumbed before going into its current position.

I am having two issues at the moment:
1: tank seems to be running a bit warmer than I would like. Yesterday it was hovering around 80.8 degrees and it’s not yet summer in FL.

2: I have this pump maxed out on the controller and not much flow into the tank. I think possibly 3x turnover.

I chose 1” pipe due to available room in the stand, and had hoped the Varios would be big enough to give some proper flow. Not something that can be changed now.

There is a second pump ( Varios 8) feeding a manifold- UV only at the moment.

Hoping to reduce some heat as I think the pump is working to hard. I have two Tunze Aquawinds on order as well as 2 built in 4” fans in the stand for heat exhaust.

Would like to stick with a DC pump if possible. Any recommendations please.

 

[coralboi56]

The Red Sea ReefRun 12000 has a 1" nozzle for hoses, PVC, and gasket options. The various 8 has a GPH rate of 2700, the ReefRun 12000 goes up to 3200. But in order to have full control of the pump, you would also need to buy the Red Sea controller that goes with it.

Vectras are my favorite as they're very easy to adjust via an app. For a model stronger than the Varios 8, you'd need the Vectra L2 (3100 GPH). It comes with a 1.25" slip outlet
though so if you wanted to go to a 1" pipe you'd obviously need a reducer

 

[JeffB418]

I have a Varios 8 as a return pump at the moment.
This feeds 2 3/4” return nozzles on the tank. Piping is 1” and fittings go as followed from the pump: 45-90-90-T-90-45-check valve-90-reduction (3/4”) into the 3/4” lock line.

Tank was plumbed before going into its current position.

I am having two issues at the moment:
1: tank seems to be running a bit warmer than I would like. Yesterday it was hovering around 80.8 degrees and it’s not yet summer in FL.

2: I have this pump maxed out on the controller and not much flow into the tank. I think possibly 3x turnover.

I chose 1” pipe due to available room in the stand, and had hoped the Varios would be big enough to give some proper flow. Not something that can be changed now.

There is a second pump ( Varios 8) feeding a manifold- UV only at the moment.

Hoping to reduce some heat as I think the pump is working to hard. I have two Tunze Aquawinds on order as well as 2 built in 4” fans in the stand for heat exhaust.

Would like to stick with a DC pump if possible. Any recommendations please.

The varios 8 and below aren’t pressure rated pumps unfortunately. They lose flow with that type of head pressure and restriction. The varios 10 is rated for head pressure and doesn’t drop as much with vertical head, restriction or elbows. I’ve upgraded all my pumps to 10s and have been happier.

Here is a video showing the head pressure capacity. It has a head capacity of about 30ft while the varios 8 is half around 18ft.

 

[UncommonSense]

A Varios 10 can reach a max well of 29.5ft, or 12.8PSI… this is intended to lift water from a basement sump, or similar application, not fight against frictional loss in plumbing!

A Varios 8 is even less inclined to trying to brute force through a restrictive orifice!

Note how this chart relates to orifice diameter, and references suction side of pump in the drain flow rates…

you’ll get rid of a lot of your flow loss with the existing pump by:

—increasing the diameter of the plumbing from pump, up to and including tee inlet to 1.25”

— staying at 1” on both returns post-tee until you’re inside the tank, then tee each return in-tank and reduce to 3/4” locline (x4 total) from there! (Or, just get some “jumbo” 1” locline)

 

[mfinn]

I have heard some much good about the VarioS-10, I have one sitting on my shelf ready to be installed on my closed loop. I just need to find the time.
I'm also a fan of the Vectra L2's. I think the VarioS 10 has more power ( pressure rated) in this case.

 

[ShawnSaucier]

The varios 8 and below aren’t pressure rated pumps unfortunately. They lose flow with that type of head pressure and restriction. The varios 10 is rated for head pressure and doesn’t drop as much with vertical head, restriction or elbows. I’ve upgraded all my pumps to 10s and have been happier.

Here is a video showing the head pressure capacity. It has a head capacity of about 30ft while the varios 8 is half around 18ft.

 

[ShawnSaucier]

I appreciate you all for replying to my inquiry on this situation.
I will say that at this point, swapping out plumbing isn’t going to happen. That would be a tremendous endeavor and the tank has been incredibly stable, other than the heat issue. Secondly, what a mess it would be.
I’ve had Ecotech’s L1 on my last 3 builds and all worked a charm. I have read varying reviews on the L2. And I really miss the Ecotech Live system. Mobius is hit or miss in my house.
I’m getting more dissatisfied with Coral Vue’s products every time I open a box. So dropping another $1200 on another product. That doesn’t mean it’s out of the running though. I need to do a bit more research and read more reviews before I could really commit to a Varios 10
I am cool with the current flow amount through the sump and don’t even count my returns as part of my in tank flow. But I think it would help heat issues if my pump wasn’t maxed. And really don’t want to go down the chiller route.
Looking at Red Dragons, Abyzz, Sicce as well.

 

[BZOFIQ]

Varios 8 is a good pump but like other said your choice of plumbing killed most of its rated output.

 

[BryanM]

I appreciate you all for replying to my inquiry on this situation.
I will say that at this point, swapping out plumbing isn’t going to happen. That would be a tremendous endeavor and the tank has been incredibly stable, other than the heat issue. Secondly, what a mess it would be.
I’ve had Ecotech’s L1 on my last 3 builds and all worked a charm. I have read varying reviews on the L2. And I really miss the Ecotech Live system. Mobius is hit or miss in my house.
I’m getting more dissatisfied with Coral Vue’s products every time I open a box. So dropping another $1200 on another product. That doesn’t mean it’s out of the running though. I need to do a bit more research and read more reviews before I could really commit to a Varios 10
I am cool with the current flow amount through the sump and don’t even count my returns as part of my in tank flow. But I think it would help heat issues if my pump wasn’t maxed. And really don’t want to go down the chiller route.
Looking at Red Dragons, Abyzz, Sicce as well.

I'd probably be looking at a vecra L2.

I'm not a fan of running any pumps at 100%, usually that causes noise, and I suspect is partly to blame for your heat issue.

 

[BZOFIQ]

I'd probably be looking at a vecra L2.

I'm not a fan of running any pumps at 100%, usually that causes noise, and I suspect is partly to blame for your heat issue.

If he had run 1.25" return out of the pump he'd get more flow @ 60-80% then he does with 1" @ 100%

Varios and most other DC pumps aren't pressure rated - they really bog down with any restriction.

 

[ShawnSaucier]

If he had run 1.25" return out of the pump he'd get more flow @ 60-80% then he does with 1" @ 100%

Varios and most other DC pumps aren't pressure rated - they really bog down with any restriction.

It was the original plan. Once we started plumbing it with the 1.25”. It was becoming obvious that every cm was going to count.