Best External Pump

[LoneStar]

I'm trying to figure out the best external pump in the 1000 to 1500 gallon per hour range. I'm looking for best performance with a low wattage (I'm cheap lol). Any ideas? It will be used on my new skimmer :)

[cpreefguy]

blue line

[LoneStar]

blue line


Gen X?

[LoneStar]

lol my mistake

http://www.aquadirect.com/store/catalog/Pumps_BlueLine_HD_Water_Pumps_OUR_BEST_page_1_c_22 4.html

[Reef69]

Best pumps..Sequence...

[Henry]

iwaki pumps but the md are better than wmd

[Richard]

The blueline/panworld pumps are great. The larger ones are quieter than the equivelant iwaki, cheaper too.

The sequence darts are great but may not be the best choice to drive a big skimmer since they are a low pressure pump. Some people have said they work fine while others have said they didn't work too well.

[NaCl_H2O]

I have several Panworld models including the 100PXX (1270gph) and 200PXX (1750gph) - great pumps. Very quiet compared to others, reliable, and fairly easy to disassemble and clean. But pricey.

[LoneStar]

So is Blueline the same as Panworld? Are the Panworlds motors equal to the Japanese motors used in Iwaki's or are they closer to the WMD American motors? Quiet running would be nice too. I learned if you do something in this hobby, do it right the first time. It may just take a bit longer to save up for it ;)

[NaCl_H2O]

I believe Panworld & Blueline are basically identical, there is also a Coralife "Turbo Sea" knock off, but haven't heard any reviews on it.

I honestly don't know how the PW & BL motors compare to the Iwaki's?

[LoneStar]

How are they on energy consumption? I know the higher you go in MAG pumps, the suck up ALOT of watts (more than some external pumps I have seen).

[matt]

The panworld pumps were designed by a former iwaki engineer from Japan. These pumps were initially imported by champion lighting as the "blueline HD" series, then also sold by premium aquatics, and I imagine others, as panworld pumps. There are very similar to the japanese iwakis, which is the MD line. They're ideal for big skimmers because they have excellent pressure curves. Just don't get the "high flow" or PXX models for a skimmer.

I've found that some models seem to be a bit quieter than the japanese iwakis, but overall they're very similar. Totally different league than MAG pumps, which IMO are glorified powerheads. 1000gph is not that big, and they seem to be rated conservatively. If you're going for a 1500 gph (maybe iwaki MD55 or equal panworld) and you're really concerned about power usage, you might consider installing a 240V line. I've seen several of the japanese iwakis that run off of 240V on ebay for a very reasonable price, and supposedly they're more power efficient at the higher voltage. An advantage to a 240 line is that if you use HQI ballasts with DE bulbs, they also supposedly work better and have lower power consumption with the higher voltage.

[LoneStar]

Just don't get the "high flow" or PXX models for a skimmer.


Why would the PXX model not be good for a becket skimmer application?

[pickle311]

I'll never touch another pump after using Sequence. They are hands down the best pump for the money IMO. You guys can keel your LOUD, rusty, japanese, Iwakis.

[JesterGrin_1]

Pickle please do not hold back tell us how you really feel lol. I also vote for Sequence. And by the way they also now produce pressure rated pumps. :)

[LoneStar]

Out of the Sequence line of pumps, which one would you think will work the best with this skimmer? TS300?
http://www.triggersys.com/protein_skimmers.html

[matt]

Beckett skimmrs work best when the flow does not change with pressure changes. These happen every time there's a change in the organic load and the skimmer produces more foam; more foam means more friction through the beckett and tubes. So a pressure rated pump with lower flow will drive a beckett more consistently and allow for less constant fiddling with the adjustment.

Sequence pumps are terrific for high flow situation but would not do well with the skimmer you listed. For that you need the iwaki 40rlt or pan world equivilent; I think they're rated for around 750 GPH, which is perfect for a single beckett skimmer of moderate size. BTW, a mag pump "rated" for that flow will not work well in this situation.

[LoneStar]

Ok I'm looking everywhere for the power wattage for the iwaki 40rlt. Any ideas on what it is? The equivilant panworld model to it is the 100px-x and it uses 130 watts.... I saw that you said the pxx will not work well? So in the pan world series, are the ps models the pressure rated pumps?

[LoneStar]

Right now I am leaning towards a Sequence Dart. From what I hear its the best on the power consumption vs flow ratio. They also claim its the quietest too. Since they have so much flow, I was thinking about splitting up the flow between the skimmer (which would get most of the water flow) and my chiller. I figure if I can reduce the amount of pumps I am running, the better.

[JesterGrin_1]

Again so Matt will see this as well. Sequence now has pressure rated pumps. :)