DIY Red Dragon Pumps, gathering ideas.
- Thread starter hahnmeister
- Start date
- Status
h20cooled
Premium Member
Yeah I can see that after doing the math.
I did the mesh mod on both of them and was able to get them to around 12 or 13 lpm (27.5 scfh) which is a LOT less then just one of the 2400, the watts on the 5k is around 50. So, yeah 2400 pump less power and a LOT more air, sounds like a win win to me.
One thing I need to change though is the Sedras are recirulating so I would have to either change the skimmer to in sump or figure out how to convert it.
Rich
I did the mesh mod on both of them and was able to get them to around 12 or 13 lpm (27.5 scfh) which is a LOT less then just one of the 2400, the watts on the 5k is around 50. So, yeah 2400 pump less power and a LOT more air, sounds like a win win to me.
One thing I need to change though is the Sedras are recirulating so I would have to either change the skimmer to in sump or figure out how to convert it.
Rich
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
Look back through my posts... you'll find it.
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
Lol, okay... it seems that the PT-459 and PT-461 impellers are the newer (non brass versions) for the Max-Flo line that should match up with the older 5000 and 7000 series pumps, respective.
You wont get quite the same performance... but very close. The impeller well/ volute is different (5000 and 7000 have central output, and newer have offset output), and the pumps seem to be slightly different as well (new electronics). The 5000 with the newer impeller (PT-459) might still be the 'missing link' for those not wanting something as small as a 901/110, but not as large as a the 2400.
You wont get quite the same performance... but very close. The impeller well/ volute is different (5000 and 7000 have central output, and newer have offset output), and the pumps seem to be slightly different as well (new electronics). The 5000 with the newer impeller (PT-459) might still be the 'missing link' for those not wanting something as small as a 901/110, but not as large as a the 2400.
Well i see the 5000 and 7000 the best fit for skimmer pumps IMO.
The 2905 well is a tad deeper and a titch wider but not that much of a differance. JMO It may spin faster and have more torq than the 5-7000's so there is a slight advantage there IMO.
I will see when i get the new impeller and test the 5000.
I am all done testing the 2905 and have a new disk made with 5 layers of mesh with it larger in diameter as well.
There should be an improvement, But not as drastic as i would hope a pump with nearly double the output would have. JMO
I get 90 scfh with 3 layers of the original mesh pad i made on the garbage can test. So off to the bigger diam mesh and more layers after i get the meter in so i can test the watts and PF.
The 2905 is just going to be a recirc pump for me anyways, so i had no intentions of making a skimmer pump out of it, But since my 5000 is down i thought why not.
The 2905 well is a tad deeper and a titch wider but not that much of a differance. JMO It may spin faster and have more torq than the 5-7000's so there is a slight advantage there IMO.
I will see when i get the new impeller and test the 5000.
I am all done testing the 2905 and have a new disk made with 5 layers of mesh with it larger in diameter as well.
There should be an improvement, But not as drastic as i would hope a pump with nearly double the output would have. JMO
I get 90 scfh with 3 layers of the original mesh pad i made on the garbage can test. So off to the bigger diam mesh and more layers after i get the meter in so i can test the watts and PF.
The 2905 is just going to be a recirc pump for me anyways, so i had no intentions of making a skimmer pump out of it, But since my 5000 is down i thought why not.
I emailed hagen about the 5000. I want a smaller red dragon equivalent pump, pushing about 60 scfh at as little wattage as possible. I asked if any of the max-flo impellers with the stainless instead of brass would fit the 5000.
Got two useful pieces of info:
1.) They confirmed that max-flo impellers are stainless and reef safe.
2.) They told me that with modification the max-flo "PT-461" impeller will fit the 5000. Specifically - quoting from hagen "It is possible to modify the 'PT-461 MaxFlo 7500 impeller' by hand guided grinding to make it fit into PowerJet 5000." I have no idea what they mean by "hand guided grinding", but doesn't sound too hard. I ordered a 5000 pump off ebay for $78 shipped, and a PT-461 impeller for $42 shipped, so if all goes well I'll have me a $120 red dragon clone.
I'll be using either enkemat or matala, whichever works better.
Anyone know the shaft diameter for these? I'd like to order some titanium rod for the shaft.
Got two useful pieces of info:
1.) They confirmed that max-flo impellers are stainless and reef safe.
2.) They told me that with modification the max-flo "PT-461" impeller will fit the 5000. Specifically - quoting from hagen "It is possible to modify the 'PT-461 MaxFlo 7500 impeller' by hand guided grinding to make it fit into PowerJet 5000." I have no idea what they mean by "hand guided grinding", but doesn't sound too hard. I ordered a 5000 pump off ebay for $78 shipped, and a PT-461 impeller for $42 shipped, so if all goes well I'll have me a $120 red dragon clone.
I'll be using either enkemat or matala, whichever works better.
Anyone know the shaft diameter for these? I'd like to order some titanium rod for the shaft.
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
kroe, the max you would want for an 8" diamter pipe would be 1800lph, or about 63 lph.
smjtkj: I'll run the ceramic for now (especially if it's pressed or glued into the magnet), I just figured that if RE bothers to replace them maybe I should too. Ti rod is not all that expensive (I bought $70 worth of 6al/4v Ti to do mj mods, have made about 50 and still have plenty left).
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
RE also runs them at a different torque and speed (faster and more Im betting), two things that we arent. I have a feeling those two reasons are why they need the Ti shaft and anti-lime line... the extra torque could crack a ceramic shaft, and the extra speed creates more heat... two things we may not have to worry about at all.
As for the 5000... Ill know later this week. Im guessing 2000 lph.
As for the 5000... Ill know later this week. Im guessing 2000 lph.
dudedudedude
New member
Well I got my Matala samples today. It is not too promising. The diamters that they advertise for the threads have to be wrong. The finest grade Matala is about eqaul in diameter to P5. Also, I have a feeling that this material will probably shred appart. It looks like for a RD mesh wheel it will have to be P4/P5. Anything thinner will most likely have to be a metel mesh like Klaus's
I did get a 7-8 scfh improvement moving the venturi closer to the pump inlet. I had it on backwards. LOL So 97 to 98 scfh in 30 inches of head on a garbage can is not too shabby.
Still waiting on my stupid impeller for the 5000. I had to wait till they picked up the wrong one for AZponds to ship out a new one.
meter should be here soon too. Can't wait to see how many watts its pulling. The 2905 is too powerfull for a skimmer as it can handle too much head pressure. If i had the pump sitting upright it would shoot water out of the garbage can.
Still waiting on my stupid impeller for the 5000. I had to wait till they picked up the wrong one for AZponds to ship out a new one.
meter should be here soon too. Can't wait to see how many watts its pulling. The 2905 is too powerfull for a skimmer as it can handle too much head pressure. If i had the pump sitting upright it would shoot water out of the garbage can.
RichConley
New member
Sorry to be a pain, but does anyone have any links for numbers for the smaller pumps? I've skimmed throught he thread, but must have missed it. I dont think I have any need of 100scfh,but greater efficiency for smaller pumps would definitely be nice.
- Status
Similar threads
