Return pump recommendations

[Jordancsi]

Hi everyone,

I am looking for a recommendation on a return pump. I would like to get a DC pump or a possible variable pump. My one issue I am looking at is head pressure, my sump will be in my basement ( about 15' to 17' feet up to the display tank ) and my display take is going to be 250gal or so. I am still in the planing stages and trying to do research. I like the new Eco Tech Marine DC pump, but from what I see it won't have the head pressure. I also just started to look at Royal exclusive pumps but having a hard time finding them in English lol. I also looked at the reeflo hammerhead pump from BRS, but I have hear that they are not the most reliable.

 

[Reeferdood]

I use the Ecotech and love it...

 

[Darrell Brady]

http://uniquecorals.com/dry-goods/abyzz.html

 

[mfinn]

Hi everyone,

I am looking for a recommendation on a return pump. I would like to get a DC pump or a possible variable pump. My one issue I am looking at is head pressure, my sump will be in my basement ( about 15' to 17' feet up to the display tank ) and my display take is going to be 250gal or so. I am still in the planing stages and trying to do research. I like the new Eco Tech Marine DC pump, but from what I see it won't have the head pressure. I also just started to look at Royal exclusive pumps but having a hard time finding them in English lol. I also looked at the reeflo hammerhead pump from BRS, but I have hear that they are not the most reliable.

I use a Vectra L1 and a M1.
Very quiet pumps.

If you are looking for info on Red Dragon pumps, Premium Aquatics, and Aquarium Specialty both sells them.

 

[mcarroll]

Consider a Dolphin
I'd consider a Dolphin AmpMaster 6250 with a Type 3 or 4 seal that has a lifetime factory warranty. ($530 at saltysupply)

Even at your head hight it will be able to deliver around 3000 GPH, depending on plumbing.

For a 250 gallon display, you only need between 500 GPH and 1000 GPH.....1250 GPH at most.

This means it'll use less-than-advertised power while you have it throttled back.

This also means that you'll have plenty of flow to feed other tanks such as other displays, refugiums, frag tanks, etc.

Unless you have a special case where it makes sense, I wouldn't worry so much about the power usage.....once you're using closer to 100% of the flow it's a non-issue. (moving 3000GPH @ 16' doesn't come cheap) Plus in the mean time, there aren't that many other good options, IMO.

Vecrta
A Vectra won't cut it unless you run two in serial. That seems like a hack just to save power. Is that a goal? Plus it's a $900 hack!

Abyzz
The Abyzz mentioned above ($1200+) might do it solo at 400 watts (AmpMaster territory), but with almost no headroom left in flow, so the adjustability is kinda of out the window....may as well use a ball valve if all you're going to do is turn it down.

Which begs the question, why spec an adjustable flow pump? Return is pretty much a fixed-flow application.

A Step Up?
If you really want a really power-efficient, variable flow pump AND you're willing to spend, consider this:
Sparus™ Pump With Constant Flow Technology™Part #348045-AQ ($1200)
$1200, but it'll flow more water than you'll ever need – more than 9000 GPH.) You dial in the flow you need and it maintains that flow by changing the pumps speed and using more or less power as needed.

Conclusion
The Dolphin seems like a bargain, even if you decide to keep a second one on site for backup.

 

[Jordancsi]

Consider a Doplhin
I'd consider a Dolphin AmpMaster 6250 with a Type 3 or 4 seal that has a lifetime factory warranty. ($530 at saltysupply)

Even at your head hight it will be able to deliver around 3000 GPH, depending on plumbing.

For a 250 gallon display, you only need between 500 GPH and 1000 GPH.....1250 GPH at most.

This means it'll use less-than-advertised power while you have it throttled back.

This also means that you'll have plenty of flow to feed other tanks such as other displays, refugiums, frag tanks, etc.

Unless you have a special case where it makes sense, I wouldn't worry so much about the power usage.....once you're using closer to 100% of the flow it's a non-issue. (moving 3000GPH @ 16' doesn't come cheap) Plus in the mean time, there aren't that many other good options, IMO.

Vecrta
A Vectra won't cut it unless you run two in serial. That seems like a hack just to save power. Is that a goal? Plus it's a $900 hack!

Abyzz
The Abyzz mentioned above ($1200+) might do it solo at 400 watts (AmpMaster territory), but with almost no headroom left in flow, so the adjustability is kinda of out the window....may as well use a ball valve if all you're going to do is turn it down.

Which begs the question, why spec an adjustable flow pump? Return is pretty much a fixed-flow application.

A Step Up?
If you really want a really power-efficient, variable flow pump AND you're willing to spend, consider this:
Sparus[emoji769] Pump With Constant Flow Technology[emoji769]Part #348045-AQ ($1200)
$1200, but it'll flow more water than you'll ever need – more than 9000 GPH.) You dial in the flow you need and it maintains that flow by changing the pumps speed and using more or less power as needed.

Conclusion
The Dolphin seems like a bargain, even if you decide to keep a second one on site for backup.

Thanks for the great advice !!