Would you upgrade from Reeflo Baldor Hammerhead?

[Fishtri]

Question:
Would you move on from a traditional A/C motor to Direct Drive?

Background:
When I set up my 210 gallon display in 2007 (some 18 years ago) I purchased two return pumps (Reeflo Hammerhead and Reeflo Barracuda, both with Baldor motors).

The first (Pump A) went in to service and ran for five years before a bearing started to make some noise. That pump was pulled, the bearing replaced, and the pump set aside as a spare. In the meantime, Pump B went in to service, which ran until now (about 13 years). About three months ago I noticed some salt between the pump and the motor, then recently some bearing noise. This Pump B has been pulled and the first rebuilt Pump A is now back in service.

Back to the question:
Do I rebuild this Pump B and keep it as a spare, or do I move on to new generations of return pumps?

Since this pump runs 24/7, energy efficiency (operating cost) is a primary consideration. Reliability is a close second.

 

[mcarroll]

Question:
Would you move on from a traditional A/C motor to Direct Drive?

Background:
When I set up my 210 gallon display in 2007 (some 18 years ago) I purchased two return pumps (Reeflo Hammerhead and Reeflo Barracuda, both with Baldor motors).

The first (Pump A) went in to service and ran for five years before a bearing started to make some noise. That pump was pulled, the bearing replaced, and the pump set aside as a spare. In the meantime, Pump B went in to service, which ran until now (about 13 years). About three months ago I noticed some salt between the pump and the motor, then recently some bearing noise. This Pump B has been pulled and the first rebuilt Pump A is now back in service.

Back to the question:
Do I rebuild this Pump B and keep it as a spare, or do I move on to new generations of return pumps?

Since this pump runs 24/7, energy efficiency (operating cost) is a primary consideration. Reliability is a close second.

IMO that's still one of the top choices – I can't see a reason to switch. I wouldn't hesitate to rehab B again and keep on keepin' on.

That said...

What do you mean by direct drive when you contrast with "AC motor"?

Are you talking about (eg) Iwaki and Little Giant style pumps – external mag-drive? (I usually think of Reeflo-style pumps as "direct drive" since the impeller is connected to the shaft.)

Iwaki and Blue Line don't really cover the same flow range as Reeflo. Little Giant makes some good options, but they aren't cheap....what's the head (pumping) height for your installation?

 

[MarineandReef Jaron]

Question:
Would you move on from a traditional A/C motor to Direct Drive?

Background:
When I set up my 210 gallon display in 2007 (some 18 years ago) I purchased two return pumps (Reeflo Hammerhead and Reeflo Barracuda, both with Baldor motors).

The first (Pump A) went in to service and ran for five years before a bearing started to make some noise. That pump was pulled, the bearing replaced, and the pump set aside as a spare. In the meantime, Pump B went in to service, which ran until now (about 13 years). About three months ago I noticed some salt between the pump and the motor, then recently some bearing noise. This Pump B has been pulled and the first rebuilt Pump A is now back in service.

Back to the question:
Do I rebuild this Pump B and keep it as a spare, or do I move on to new generations of return pumps?

Since this pump runs 24/7, energy efficiency (operating cost) is a primary consideration. Reliability is a close second.

My biggest issue with Reeflos has been leaky seals. I have had many days where I cam home to water on the floor from a leaky seal. They are quiet, reliable, and relatively energy efficient but the leaks turn me off. I have had a couple of customers swap the Reeflows for the Octopus VarioS 10s and they have been pretty happy. https://www.marineandreef.com/Reef_Octopus_OCTO_VarioS_10_Controllable_Circulati_p/rcv25296.htm

 

[twentyleagues]

IMO that's still one of the top choices – I can't see a reason to switch. I wouldn't hesitate to rehab B again and keep on keepin' on.

That said...

What do you mean by direct drive when you contrast with "AC motor"?

Are you talking about (eg) Iwaki and Little Giant style pumps – external mag-drive? (I usually think of Reeflo-style pumps as "direct drive" since the impeller is connected to the shaft.)

Iwaki and Blue Line don't really cover the same flow range as Reeflo. Little Giant makes some good options, but they aren't cheap....what's the head (pumping) height for your installation?

I think they mean dc as in current not drive. DC pumps are better efficiency but typically not as powerful. I ran Reefflo pumps on my last system, I used a hammer head to feed the 2 tanks upstairs from a "sump" in the basement. I also ran a snapper to feed my giant skimmer as the red dragon it came with kept failing. I still have a hammerhead gold sitting in the garage as I have no need for that kind of head pressure anymore. I would say in the old system I was getting somewhere around 600gph to the 120g and 125g tanks with about 20' of head, beasts of pumps! I dont think you'll find a dc pump that can compare.

 

[mcarroll]

I dont think you'll find a dc pump that can compare.

Not in the same price category, that's for sure.

 

[Fishtri]

IMO that's still one of the top choices – I can't see a reason to switch. I wouldn't hesitate to rehab B again and keep on keepin' on.

That said...

What do you mean by direct drive when you contrast with "AC motor"?

Are you talking about (eg) Iwaki and Little Giant style pumps – external mag-drive? (I usually think of Reeflo-style pumps as "direct drive" since the impeller is connected to the shaft.)

Iwaki and Blue Line don't really cover the same flow range as Reeflo. Little Giant makes some good options, but they aren't cheap....what's the head (pumping) height for your installation?

Thanks. I'm leaning towards keeping them as well. But I've been out the market so long I figured I would ask.

Guess I meant to say "DC motor" (variable speed, controllable, smart, etc.)

The sump is located in a basement, so probably 12' or so head from the pump to the outlets in the tank.

 

[Fishtri]

I think they mean dc as in current not drive. DC pumps are better efficiency but typically not as powerful. I ran Reefflo pumps on my last system, I used a hammer head to feed the 2 tanks upstairs from a "sump" in the basement. I also ran a snapper to feed my giant skimmer as the red dragon it came with kept failing. I still have a hammerhead gold sitting in the garage as I have no need for that kind of head pressure anymore. I would say in the old system I was getting somewhere around 600gph to the 120g and 125g tanks with about 20' of head, beasts of pumps! I dont think you'll find a dc pump that can compare.

Yes, I meant DC.

I just saw a $1,000 price tag on the link Jaron provided. It would have to be a whole lot more efficient to make up that difference vs. $75 bucks shipped for new pump seals and motor bearings.

 

[Fishtri]

My biggest issue with Reeflos has been leaky seals. I have had many days where I cam home to water on the floor from a leaky seal. They are quiet, reliable, and relatively energy efficient but the leaks turn me off. I have had a couple of customers swap the Reeflows for the Octopus VarioS 10s and they have been pretty happy. https://www.marineandreef.com/Reef_Octopus_OCTO_VarioS_10_Controllable_Circulati_p/rcv25296.htm

Thanks for sharing that experience. Guess I've been pretty lucky.

Between the two pumps I have, the seals have held up pretty well (until just the last few months). But that was after a dozen years of 24/7 run time. And it gave me a warning with a month or two of salt creep before it really started to leak enough water to start getting things damp. Not quite a puddle.

Thanks also for the link to the Reef Octopus. I'll have to check out specs to see if there is enough of a difference to justify that kind of cost. Might be different if I was starting from scratch, but in this case I already own two.

 

[twentyleagues]

Yes, I meant DC.

I just saw a $1,000 price tag on the link Jaron provided. It would have to be a whole lot more efficient to make up that difference vs. $75 bucks shipped for new pump seals and motor bearings.

Yeah I didnt even go into pricing. Think my current hammerhead was around $300 at most, but I bought that in 2015 to run a 180 and 80 cube freshwater from a basement sump.

 

[mcarroll]

Thanks. I'm leaning towards keeping them as well. But I've been out the market so long I figured I would ask.

Guess I meant to say "DC motor" (variable speed, controllable, smart, etc.)

The sump is located in a basement, so probably 12' or so head from the pump to the outlets in the tank.

I assumed there would be more head pressure....is your sump elevated? A Blueline 55 or similar Iwaki is the type of pump I thought you were talking about....external motor like Reeflo, but mag-drive. Little Giant too, but they don't seem as accessible.

There are some nice DC pumps out there, but IMO there's little to recommend them vs a nice single-speed "AC pumps" when it comes to the sump return role.

A scenario like a typical false-wall AIO where the return is also your flow would make more sense....usually too cramped to add flow pumps (thanks to the false wall) so the extra functions and speed control can potentially be of some use.

Yes, I meant DC.

I just saw a $1,000 price tag on the link Jaron provided. It would have to be a whole lot more efficient to make up that difference vs. $75 bucks shipped for new pump seals and motor bearings.

In fairness, I think with the 12' head pressure (assuming 600 GPH target) a VarioS-8 would actually fit the bill....still probably a bit much if you're sitting on a pair of Reeflo's, but NOT $1000 steep!

Reef Octopus OCTO VarioS-8 Controllable DC Circulation Pump

The Reef Octopus OCTO VarioS-8 Controllable DC Circulation Pump features a detachable controller module, high quality ceramic shaft and propeller bearing to reduce wear and tear.

www.marineandreef.com

 

[BeanAnimal]

Traditional centrifugal volute = no cleaning. Run it until the seals or bearings fail. For many that is a decade or more.

The rebuild after this long may not be possible if the shaft is etched where it passed through the seal.

DC and other magnetic impeller pumps do need somewhat regular disassembly and cleaning and magnetic impellers eventually fail due to swelling.

 

[Sean Clark]

Stick with what works. You have had quite the good run with those pumps. I would buy 2 more for the shelf, incase your great grandkids need to swap it out.

 

[Ironwill723]

I have a new one for sale if you’re interested. Comes with an extra seal as well.

Pennsylvania - Return Pumps - Dry Goods - (BNIB) Reeflo GOLD Hammerhead/Barracuda Pump with additional extra seal $400

New in Box Reeflo Gold Hammerhead/Barracuda Pump with additional extra seal $400+shipping Located in PA. Please PM with interest. Paypal preferred.

www.reef2reef.com

 

[MarineandReef Jaron]

If you have the pumps in a basement, then I would just repair the Reeflos. I would never install a Reeflo in a living area. I have had too many leak. I would hate to ruin a wood floor or damage carpet because the pump leaked and I think the quiet factor of the DC pump would also be noticeable. There is a local store in my area that ran 6 Reeflow Hammerheads on various store systems and they replaced all of the gaskets annually, which isn't cheap. Even still, they were having occasional leaks and small floods around the pumps. They started swapping them all to VarioS 10s to simplify maintenance and have been very happy.

I have no idea why some people have leaky Reeflos and others don't, but I hate leaks, and the leak issue alone would make me buy the VarioS-10

 

[BeanAnimal]

I am not a fan of the VarioS pumps. If I were going to go for a high head DC pump it would be the Deltec e-flow

 

[Ironwill723]

I am not a fan of the VarioS pumps. If I were going to go for a high head DC pump it would be the Deltec e-flow

Those Deltec E-flow pumps are nice. I considered using one of those but was concerned about replacement part availability if needed here in the US.

 

[BeanAnimal]

I replaced my 15 year old ReeFlo with a Red Dragon RD3 -- but I have the same concern. They discontinued them, but recently announced that the the 80W may be coming back. I wish I had gone with the E-flow.

I did not rebuild the ReeFlo, i tossed it. The bearing was finally bad and I sure that that the shaft was likely pitted after all of those years. I didn't bother looking.

I think they are great pumps. Leaking is often due to induced current creating galvanically driven erosion between the bearing and shaft. This a problem with this style of pump.

 

[Fishtri]

Decided to rebuild Pump B. Ordered new seals and motor bearings from ReeFlo, which arrived as promised.

Only took three days, lots of WD-40, Liquid Wrench, elbow grease, channel locks and a strap wrench to get the impeller off... My hands have just about healed.

I was about to pull the front motor bearing off, then decided I better clean the shaft first. Then I remembered a comment about the shaft being etched which would prevent the new pump seal from sealing.

So, before I invest any more time, will it be possible to clean this shaft up? How perfect does in need to be? Or am I just wasting time, bearings and seals only to find out this pump can't be salvaged?

 

[PlumberDude]

You already have time invested may as well use some sand cloth on it and rebuild it. It is worth a try. You could use a digital micrometer to check diameter if you wanted to get technical.
They are good pumps just too noisy for a living area in my opinion. I used to run a hammerhead 20 years ago…. Good pump but loud.
My RD closed loop pump went out recently after only a couple years. Total disappointment for what it costed. No replacement parts for a $1500 pump. I installed a varios10 with VCA nozzles and the flow is amazing. Also it is silent and has a good warranty. So far so good.

 

[Ironwill723]

That looks like it is in pretty rough shape. I have sanded them down before but not in that condition. Could always try and see.