best external pump

[jaded]

Whats your favorite external pump? I've heard the name sequence reef-lo dart, but I have no experience with anything other than the littlegiant and I hated it (loud)

I'm going to make the circulation and lighting problems a high priority on the ole' to-do list, so any help would be appriciated, especially if you know of any good website or wholesalers for these pumps

current circulation setup:
135 rr arrives tomorrow
small sump
1 Mag 5
1 Mag 7
1 Rio 2100
1 Rio 1700
2 Maxi 1200

[cpreefguy]

blueline

[jaded]

which pump would you recommend?

[Tim Marvin]

Sequence or Dolphin. They push a lot of water and very energy efficient.

[jaded]

is the sequence a magnetic drive? I like the price and the name keeps coming up as good

[jaded]

if im reading the chart right the dart will push around 2000gph at 5'

I think I've decided to go with the mainfold with 4 loc-line outlets but with that kind of pressure I may need to close the loop completely and add a couple more outs in the front of the tank. Is this to much flow?
http://www.maast.org/modules/PNphpBB2/files/loc_line01.jpg

[Tim Marvin]

run them each on a different loop.

[Richard]

I really like the sequence pumps. They are silent and energy efficient. I guess the only downside to the dart is that the intake is 2", but that is easy enough to deal with. It should give you about 2500 gph at 5'.

I'm plumbing up a 150 for a customer and using a Dart to run the tank and the skimmer. It should be up and running in the store by late tuesday so stop by if you want to get some plumbing ideas.

BTW - we sell the Darts, $198 after the Maast discount, which is a pretty decent price I think. Also all of ours are the new style with black high impact plastic instead of the clear plastic which is easier to crack.

[::pete::]

BTW - we sell the Darts, $198 after the Maast discount, which is a pretty decent price I think. Also all of ours are the new style with black high impact plastic instead of the clear plastic which is easier to crack.

Richard, is that tax and all?

[Richard]

No, with tax it's about $214. Sorry I can't do anything about that one, big brother always wants his cut.

[dan]

i would go with the sequence. i have the stingray. 4500 gal.

[Tim Marvin]

Looks like Sequence is taking the market.

[NaCl_H2O]

I have ben very happy with PanWorld pumps, never owned a Sequence? Just don't try to save money on the pump - get a good quality pump!

[jaded]

Richard if you have on in stock I may swing by tomorrow... I'll need a sump but if I dont get it now I'll just spend the money

[Ram_Puppy]

I am going with 2 darts on my 115 cube, 1 for the sump/fuge -> return, and one for a closed loop.

[jaded]

Thats a TON of water!!! I would doubt that you would need that much from what I saw today at CB pets. He's actually bleeding off a great deal just so the overflows can keep up on a fairly large tank (guess: 200 gallon)

IMHO

[wkopplin]

I love my Sequence pump. I have the Hammerhead and it runs a lot of water. I just took it offline for a few hours to clean it out and it did not need any servicing after being up and running for over 6 months.

You cannot have too much water flow.

[jaded]

I stand corrected, I only say that because Richard is overunning his overflows and 5,000 GPH seems like a lot in a 115. I should point out that I know so little about pumps and circulation that I posted this thread... dont take advise from me.

[astrong]

I wouldn't run that type of flow through your sump. Its noisy, add too much heat, and is inefficient. Use a closed loop or rely on powerheads for in-tank circulation. You dont need more than 3-6x turnover through your sump. Anything more and your filtration equipment can't handle it, and is therefore unnecessary.

I would stay far away from Rio, they are notorious for causing all sorts of problems. They are the only pump I know of that has caught on fire under water. Then they release copper and nuke the system. And thats when the C.H.U.D.s get you...

I would look into propellor style powerheads, they move massive amounts of water on low wattage/low heat. I put a mag 18 on a 100 gallon curing rock tank a few years back and the temp got up to 95 overnight. And this was in the AC!

Of the pumps you listed I would reccommend the Mag 7 as your return, thats perfect for the sump.

[jaded]

this is my basic plan... of course there are no real details because I dont even have a design for th esump yet, but the returns will go in there somewhere.

I can already see where I would need another ball valve and some couplings, but you get the basic idea

[::pete::]

What program are you using? ;)

[jaded]

art? adobe Illustrator

[eric]

And so another open loop with an overflow and return to the tank? Balancing that seems to pose a problem. Not sure about sharing this pump as a return and a skimmer pump, as well as the fuge. And that large center sump seems to be a waste of space.

[eric]

I shouldn't say waste of space; it would give more water volume.

[BIGBIRD123]

Seems like you should need a gate valve on the skimmer return or at least a ball valve to control the level in your skimmer. or at least the skimmer I use. I could be and have been in the past...wrong but JMO.

Steve

[jaded]

my original idea was the closed loop, but I'm already pushing 82° so I'm going to get the powerheads and internal pumps out of there.

the sump actually isnt designed yet, but I'm sure that "waste of space" will be well used... I'm going to leave that up to the experts. As far as the balance goes... well I guess i'll just tinker. This thread was actually opened as a question. If you know of a better way I'm all ears!!! I'd love to hear of a better way!

my goals:
improve circulation
increase adjustability in directional flow (loc-line)
add refugium
increase volume for stability

[Tim Marvin]

I have to dissagree with Astrong on the mag 7. I'd run the dart and drop by Aquatek for a Tunze tubelle stream. One 6080 and a couple SQWD's will end up about the same price as an extra dart and you'll get awesome water movement from the Stream and only use 24 watts to do it. A maxijet 1200 uses 21 watts and pushes almost no water in comparison. I am a strong beleiver in the streams! At first, I ws afraid my acropora and LPS wouldn't open and do well because it looked like a whirlpool in there, but I can almost watch the acropora grow now....... :w00t I am VERY happy running the Dart and Stream.... With each new prop tank we set-up at 360Reef Farm a tunze stream definately be a standard piece of equipment!!! I am actually getting rid of the Mags (they are good pumps though).

[Richard]

Well there is no end to the number of ways to plumb up a tank.That's what's nice about MAAST, you get alot of different ideas. Here are some of mine...

I'd be nervous about running the skimmer outside the sump as you have it in the drawing. Seems like a flood risk to me. I would put in the sump or elevate it if you can. Also, I am running an EV skimmer (spray injected) off of the main pump with no problems as far as control goes. I don't know how it would work on a beckett skimmer or any other type. I've always just used the AquaC's.

I would add a ball valve on the return. You'll need that to control the amount of flow to the skimmer/bleed off valve. Actually I would tee off on the return and use 2 ball valves so you could control the flow to the left and right returns.

Don't forget unions on the intake & output of the pump. You'll have to service it eventually.

The streams are awesome. I have two 6100's on my 215 on a wavemaker. They move a ton of water but my tangs can swim right up to them like it is nothing.

I prefer the entry style sumps with the refugium running lengthwise. Here's a cheesy pic if it works. I can't afford adobe Illustrator.

[jaded]

I started working on this illustration before I saw the suggestions, but I do think the skimmer in the sump is a good idea, even if only to save room...

thanks for all info, I'm learning a lot

[jaded]

lc-line makes small ball valves for the outlets.. I think I'm might spend an extra couple of bucks to add adjustablility to the individual outs..

whats an sqwd???

[Salty]

http://www.theculturedreef.com/scwd.htm

[::pete::]

SCWD (http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_wavemakers_scwd_squid.asp?ast=&key=)

[eric]

The scwd is pretty slick if you ask me. Got one on a mag 9 (I think) closed loop for the majority of my circulation. A much lesser flow all through my fuge. I think Tim suggested you putting one in.