Pump Recommendations

[CD]

We are trying to accumulate the items we need to get this 210 tank going and I would like to switch to an external pump.
Here is what I need to accomplish (hopefully with one pump):
I need both the skimmer and returns to run from one pump preferably.
I run a MRC2 skimmer which is a Beckett model requiring a Mag 18.
I would like to find an external that will still get moderate amounts of water back to the tank. We will be running Streams so I don't need a Tsunami entering the tank.

I was leaning towards a Sequence Dart but am concerned whether there will be enough flow back to the tank with the skimmer hooked in to it as well.
I know TimM. is using the Dart but can't recall whether his skimmer was a Beckett requiring huge amounts of flow. I do know he plumbed 1 Dart to run everything- or at least that was the plan last time we talked.

What would you people recommend? I would really like to avoid spending $400 on a pump (I can just use my noisy Mag internals) so any reasonbly priced suggestions will be researched and appreciated.

Thanks.

Chris

[NaCl_H2O]

~Pete~ is doing something very similar with his new 180, ask him about his plumbing setup.

[Richard]

Hey Chris and Wendy,

How about just stepping up to a Sequence Barracuda. 4500 gph and high pressure rating than the dart. That's what I used on the 180's in the store even though a dart would have been good enough for those.

[CD]

Hey Chris and Wendy,

How about just stepping up to a Sequence Barracuda. 4500 gph and high pressure rating than the dart. That's what I used on the 180's in the store even though a dart would have been good enough for those.

Richard,

What kind of price we looking at for the Barracuda?
Thanks.

Chris

[CD]

~Pete~ is doing something very similar with his new 180, ask him about his plumbing setup.

Thanks Steve.
I will try and shoot him a PM later.

Chris

[Richard]

They run about $315 online. I'll check what kind of price I can get tomorrow and pm you.

Oh, Just saw that your going to be using some streams. If that's the case you only need to cycle your tank volume 5 or 6 times an hour and you won't have any problems. So the dart should work out as long as it can run a beckett skimmer ok. I would think they could. Maybe Tim can answer that better, I've never used a beckett.

[CD]

Thanks Richard!

I was doing a little research on the Barracuda and noticed that it is capable of double the amperage usage of the Dart. It's not that big of a deal really but the chiller already rocks the electric bill.

There is little doubt (on my part) that the Dart will run the skimmer.
You think there would probably be enough for returns as well?

Thanks again,
Chris


Edit: I stated double the amps- meant double the watts.

[Richard]

Well the 150 we just installed this morning a Dart was running an EV180 which requires around 700 gph and that tank was still rockin. With the streams I think you would be fine.

[Tim Marvin]

I chose the dart for the energy efficiency. It runs a dual beckett and two tanks. I run streams in the tanks also(6060 in one and 6080 in the other). You are welcome to come and take a look if you want. A bigger pressure pump would surely run the skimmer a little better, but I like to save electricity and it runs the skimmer pretty good IMO. Joshua saw it, maybe he will pipe in and give his honest opinion.

[CD]

Thanks Tim.
We will try to swing by in the next few days now that you are all plumbed in.

Joshua,
Thanks for your recommendation also. We will investigate the Pan World option as well.

Chris

[CD]

OK people.

What's the opinion on the BlueLine pumps?


I read that my skimmer would do fine with a BlueLine 55 according to the MRC website.
I saw a BlueLine 100 yesterday that would obviously allow flow back into the tank and now just desire any opinions on quality/noise/reliability issues.
I notice they have a 5 yr. parts and labor warranty on these also.

[NaCl_H2O]

Blueline, PanWorld, and Iwaki are all basically the same pumps. I think Iwaki may be a little more noisy (with American motors). I have a total of 7 Panworld pumps on my system ranging from the 30 to the 200. Up & running about 6 months now, and very pleased. Very reliable, and they run quiet IMO.

They do require service now & then, just like any pump, to remove built up calcium deposits, etc from the impellers & housing.

I think you will be pleased with these pumps, but you can't get the HUGE gph (3000+) you wanted from a single pump.

[Richard]

The Bluelines are nice pumps also. Just like the iwakis the smaller ones are fairly quiet. I've never had one returned so they must be pretty reliable. I have a blueline 100 that I'll give you a heck of a deal on but it'll still be more than a Dart.

[CD]

As far as my statement concerning huge flow, I guess I really made that statement from ignorance. Now that I realize my MRC skimmer doesn't require 1800gph, that changes things a bit.
It appears that due to the weak pressures with the Mag18, the skimmer requires that much flow to operate properly.

If my skimmer will operate on a BlueLine 55, I should be able to get enough turnover back through the returns with a BlueLine 100- wouldn't you think? Keep in mind that I have 1-6080 Stream and will be adding at least another 6080 and more likely a 6100 so I don't need a ton of flow back to the tank.

[Polkster13]

Richard,

What is the power consumption of the Blueline versus the Dart?

[CD]

Richard,

I pulled that pump from the box yesterday before I Knew what my skimmer actually needed (other than the Mag18).
Shoot me a PM with that "heck of a deal" offer and I may just go that direction.

C.

[CD]

Richard,

What is the power consumption of the Blueline versus the Dart?

Polkster,

I believe the Dart can use around 190 watts. The BlueLine 100 is around 390 watts.

Chris

[Polkster13]

Ouch! That Blueline is going to make a big dent in your electric bill. I had heard that the Dart was more energy efficent but I didn't realize it was THAT much.

[GaryP]

Here are the specs on some of the Bleline pumps.

http://www.aquacorals.com/Pics/DryGoods/Pumps/BlueLine/BluelinePumpChart.htm