wanna try a new return pump

[rz1a]

my current iwaki pump is dead silent and pretty good for my tank, but it uses 144 watts.

i was thinking of using an eheim that only uses 80 watts and is rated for like 900gph at 11'

its for a 28g tank, would the eheim be really quiet and reliable? i would like to use an external pump if possible

[matt]

Going to an eheim would be a serious downgrade in terms of quality and reliability. I would also plan for about 1/2 the actual flow of the "rating" under any sort of pressure use. If you have 11' of head (alot!) you should stay with the iwaki or maybe get a smaller pan world that's still designed to work in pressure situations.

Another thing is that eheims are tough to hard-plumb; if you remove the hose barb, the fittings are not tapered threads, but straight threads sealed with an o ring. Good luck trying to get that sealed with a taped PVC fitting in 11' of head pressure! If you want to use the hose barb and flex tubing, it's not an issue.

[TexasTodd]

I agree with the above from Matt, except that IME Eheim pumps are extremely reliable....even if run dry by mistake. I know of people who have run a single pump for close to 20 years.

But, as Matt said, it doesn't fit your application well with the head height you're dealing with.

Todd

[rz1a]

well, i only have about 4' feet of head. im using flexible tubing for the flow but theres about 4 90 degree elbows once it hits the return lines. right after the pump there's a T with one ball valve on both hoses on the t; one goes to the sump and the other goes back to the DT

the iwaki is a great pump and small too, super quiet, but was just looking around for something that uses less watts, that is quiet and reliable too.

if i should stay with the iwaki then it should be fine. was just thinking 144w would be a lot if it runs 24hrs a day every day

[erikharrison]

It comes to about 12 dollars per month.

[caferacermike]

I absolutely love my Eheims. I probably have close to $4,000 worth of Eheim products sitting in home and in use. Sounds like you are looking at the 1262 for $119 at Big Al's. I have 8 of them here in the house. They are darlings. Dead silent, efficient and deliver the full 900 GPH.

[rz1a]

yes, it was the 1262 that i saw from Marine Depot. how long have you had them running for? 80w seems way better than the 144w.

[caferacermike]

I have 3 1262's that have been running for 4 years without a single problem. They get rinsed out in the sink about once a year.

[rz1a]

i'm going to go ahead and look into these pumps

are you running these external or internal?

[caferacermike]

4 external and 4 internal. If they weren't the bomb why does Deltec and Euroreef demand them? My ER skimmer has 4 1262's external. That's $2,400 worth of ER modded Eheims.