Best return pump for a 500 gallon setup

[Rouselb]

I have a 500 gallon setup. I am looking to replace my return pump. Im currently using a Gen-x 70 that is pushing water through a 1.5" spa flex from my basement to the main floor. The head is around 13-15 foot. Im currently getting around 1300-1500 gph through the system. I was looking to change to Laguna Max-Flo 4200 pump. Do you think this pump is capable of pushing that head rate and still achieve the 1200 gph min flow rate?

 

[dave.m]

Your best bet is to contact the manufacturer. If the model you are looking at is not sufficient they may be able to make a recommendation for something more appropriate to your situation.

Dave.M

 

[worm5406]

What did you find out?

 

[Rouselb]

There's a new red dragon 120w coming shortly that's going to fit this setup. Right now I'm going to try the coralvue diablo 10500 which is 80w and should give me a flow of around 1200 gph at my given head loss. I will update once I measure the rates.

 

[jjk_reef00]

You can also look at the large Tunze pump.

 

[Rouselb]

The coralvue does not work. I only get about 400 gph with it. Not enough. It is super quiet and small in physical size.

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

Hi Larry,

I initially went with a Waveline DC12000 (the new closed style impeller was supposed to provide better head pressure.) I installed one on my saltwater station - it moves a LOT of water BUT...has exposed a couple problems that make me uneasy about use in the sump,

• A leak developed between the volute/cover and the pump motor. It's probably nothing a bit of silicone on the o-ring and an extra 1/4 turn can't solve, but it's not what I expected on the what is supposed to be a high-quality pump.
• Although the pump itself is very quiet, the fan in the controller is very loud. It's NOT going into a cabinet that will be located in my living room. (you probably wouldn't care about the controller noise.)

I've been researching other pumps including the Red Dragon 3 (GREAT pumps, but very pricey), The WaterBlasters (I've had a bad one in the past and dealt with rusting screws) and lastly the Laguna/Askolls. I was leaning toward a Laguna 4200 when I stumbled on the Fluval SP6. It appears to be a Laguna with upgrades designed specifically for saltwater use. The specs look good,



Input/Output Diameter: 1.25"
Flow Rate: 3434GPH
Max. Head Pressure: 13 feet
Flow Rate at 4.5 feet: 2250 GPH
Power Consumption: 135W

I can't find a head pressure chart, so it might not meet your 1200gph. It's relatively new, but all the comments appear positive. I'm going to give it a shot.

 

[Rouselb]

Tom, Thanks for the info. None of these pumps will yeild 1200-1500 gph at 13 foot of head pressure. I have looked into the Coralvue, RD, Laguna, waterblasters. I was informed today that there are a few more RD pumps in testing that will have 7 meters of head. I think i may just purchase the blueline pump for now and wait for the RD next generation.

 

[CalmSeasQuest]

I saw Jeremy's comment about the new RD - I'm interested as well.

 

[Rouselb]

Coralvue is pushing 450 gph. Talk about quiet.

 

[aldiaz33]

Is it possible to reduce the head by a few feet so that it's at or below 10'? Can you build a platform to raise the sump? When you get above 10' of head, you will typically need to run a high pressure (higher RPM = higher wattage) pump to achieve the flow you are looking for. At or below 10' there are more options. I've been running the Laguna Max Flo 4200 on my tank for a few years and I am really happy with it. According to their flow chart, I should be getting around 2,000GPH @ 9' head on 160 watts.

Reeflo appears to have a new model (Trident) that may suit your needs, but I wouldn't want to be the first wave of people trying them out: http://www.reeflopumps.com/trident3speed.html

 

[Jeff000]

Is it possible to reduce the head by a few feet so that it's at or below 10'? Can you build a platform to raise the sump? When you get above 10' of head, you will typically need to run a high pressure (higher RPM = higher wattage) pump to achieve the flow you are looking for. At or below 10' there are more options. I've been running the Laguna Max Flo 4200 on my tank for a few years and I am really happy with it. According to their flow chart, I should be getting around 2,000GPH @ 9' head on 160 watts.

Reeflo appears to have a new model (Trident) that may suit your needs, but I wouldn't want to be the first wave of people trying them out: http://www.reeflopumps.com/trident3speed.html

Reeflo is a fairly large name.
But isn't 4x turnover really normally the minimum you would want? So shouldn't you be looking for more 2000 gph.

The reeflo Barracuda Gold or even Hammerhead seems like it would be the best choice. Unless I am missing something.

 

[Rouselb]

Talk to Chris at reeflo. I recently switched from genx pressure pump to the hammerhead gold and it's way better. I get the flow that I need. I usually only turn over my large systems 2x volume. You can even change the impeller out to play around with the flow rates for pretty cheap. I'm now running about 3or 4x volume and only at 40-55 additional watts.

 

[Rhodan]

I'm using a ReeFlo Hammerhead in my basement to main floor setup....I love it....It gives me great flow and I have about 15 feet of head pressure.

 

[R.W.]

Hi Larry,

I initially went with a Waveline DC12000 (the new closed style impeller was supposed to provide better head pressure.) I installed one on my saltwater station - it moves a LOT of water BUT...has exposed a couple problems that make me uneasy about use in the sump,

• A leak developed between the volute/cover and the pump motor. It's probably nothing a bit of silicone on the o-ring and an extra 1/4 turn can't solve, but it's not what I expected on the what is supposed to be a high-quality pump.
• Although the pump itself is very quiet, the fan in the controller is very loud. It's NOT going into a cabinet that will be located in my living room. (you probably wouldn't care about the controller noise.)

I've been researching other pumps including the Red Dragon 3 (GREAT pumps, but very pricey), The WaterBlasters (I've had a bad one in the past and dealt with rusting screws) and lastly the Laguna/Askolls. I was leaning toward a Laguna 4200 when I stumbled on the Fluval SP6. It appears to be a Laguna with upgrades designed specifically for saltwater use. The specs look good,



Input/Output Diameter: 1.25"
Flow Rate: 3434GPH
Max. Head Pressure: 13 feet
Flow Rate at 4.5 feet: 2250 GPH
Power Consumption: 135W

I can't find a head pressure chart, so it might not meet your 1200gph. It's relatively new, but all the comments appear positive. I'm going to give it a shot.

I run this pump on my system and love it! Dead silent!

 

[dominic]

I have the same set up coming in about 3 weeks a 400galDT and 125 gal sump in the basement . I bought the reeflo barracuda and reeflo gobi , I will try them both to see what is better.
I am running a quad becket skimmer with a reeflo dart gold that does 4300 gph I will only run 2 beckets with that pump . I will post which one I like better . I will have about 13 ft head

 

[Northside Reef]

Sounds like you found your pump. Originally I used a hammerhead to push water with 18' of head, it worked really well but was pretty loud (granted it was an older model) I switched to a Pan World PS250 it works well and is not as loud (I would not call it quite either though). I am looking forward to the next gen DC pumps that can handle that head pressure for the noise and wattage reduction.