Input on an Iwaki md55rlt

[brubakron]

Thinking about purchasing a used Iwaki md55rlt for less than half the price of a new one. This is going to be on a 265 in wall, with over 400 gallons in the system. Fish room is on the same floor so head loss shouldn't be an issue. The tank has two 2 inch drains, and thinking about using a spray bar for the return. I am wondering if this pump would be enough for this system? Also, I could get another in sump to circulate water, and it had been suggested that running two smaller pumps may be a good idea. Buying from a store where the pump was traded in, so they aren't sure how old it is, but they say it is quiet (no hum). Also it is one made in Japan, which they say is better (anyone else know about this). Thanks for the input (if you don't think that this pump is a good fit I would take recommendations for a pump).

 

[slief]

It should be enough for the return pump. I've had plenty of Iwaki's. They last forever but they are pretty noisy, run hot and are pretty inefficient when it comes to power draw. They heat the water up pretty well too which can result in the need for a chiller.

 

[brubakron]

It should be enough for the return pump. I've had plenty of Iwaki's. They last forever but they are pretty noisy, run hot and are pretty inefficient when it comes to power draw. They heat the water up pretty well too which can result in the need for a chiller.

The pump is external so heat won't be an issue. It concerns me though if it noisy, however it will be located in the fish room, so noise may not be an issue. I am thinking for the price it will get me started, and then I can go from there for a future upgrade.

 

[deepseadan]

I have that pump and I love it. My tank is a 150 gallon system. I used to run a Rio 26 hf submersible and the two are about the same when it comes to noise, which I think are very quiet. The rio used heat my water substantially and when I switched to the iwaki my chiller stopped running. All in all, I would definitely buy it if I were you. It will be plenty for your tank and will last many years.

 

[deepseadan]

Oops when I read your post the first time I didn't notice the 400 gallon total. No it won't be enough. You will need a bigger iwaki or two of the 55's.

 

[michaellee64]

Reeflo Hammerhead/Barracuda would be perfect for you!

 

[slief]

The pump is external so heat won't be an issue. It concerns me though if it noisy, however it will be located in the fish room, so noise may not be an issue. I am thinking for the price it will get me started, and then I can go from there for a future upgrade.

Heat is still an issue. Those pumps run very very hot & in my experience that heat transfers to the water as the water runs through the pump. I've had a few Iwaki's. When I switched from Iwaki to Reeflo, my temps dropped by a few degrees and the sound level dropped substantially as well. Granted I switched other pumps at the same time but my Iwaki's were the hottest of the bunch by a long shot.

Don't get me wrong, they are one of the most reliable pumps on the market, but they are noisy and generate a fair amount of heat. So much so that touching the motor is very uncomfortable to the touch. If you have only run Iwaki's, you wouldn't know any better. I've been doing salt water tanks for nearly 30 years and have had my current tank which is a 480 display and about 180G sump for 18+ years. I also have 2 more tanks at my office and a 90QT at home. I've run Iwaki 100RLT's, 55RLT's, the smaller RLT's, little giants, quiet ones, several Lim Wave pond pumps, Reeflo darts, reeflo baracudas, reefflo hammerheads and now I run A Hammerhead Gold and a Dart Gold.

If it were me, I would ditch the Iwaki and run a dart gold pump. You can gate the Reeflo Darts down after the pump and they consume less power. Even so, they are probably more efficient than the 55RLT. The only reason you would gate it is if the flow is too much for your overflow.

I'm of the mindset of doing it right the first time. In my case, some changes to my pumps and lighting dropped my electric bill from $1100 per month to $300 per month and eliminate the use of my chiller. Also, the noise/pump drone from my tank was cut by more than half.

 

[brubakron]

Heat is still an issue. Those pumps run very very hot & in my experience that heat transfers to the water as the water runs through the pump. I've had a few Iwaki's. When I switched from Iwaki to Reeflo, my temps dropped by a few degrees and the sound level dropped substantially as well. Granted I switched other pumps at the same time but my Iwaki's were the hottest of the bunch by a long shot.

Don't get me wrong, they are one of the most reliable pumps on the market, but they are noisy and generate a fair amount of heat. So much so that touching the motor is very uncomfortable to the touch. If you have only run Iwaki's, you wouldn't know any better. I've been doing salt water tanks for nearly 30 years and have had my current tank which is a 480 display and about 180G sump for 18+ years. I also have 2 more tanks at my office and a 90QT at home. I've run Iwaki 100RLT's, 55RLT's, the smaller RLT's, little giants, quiet ones, several Lim Wave pond pumps, Reeflo darts, reeflo baracudas, reefflo hammerheads and now I run A Hammerhead Gold and a Dart Gold.

If it were me, I would ditch the Iwaki and run a dart gold pump. You can gate the Reeflo Darts down after the pump and they consume less power. Even so, they are probably more efficient than the 55RLT. The only reason you would gate it is if the flow is too much for your overflow.

I'm of the mindset of doing it right the first time. In my case, some changes to my pumps and lighting dropped my electric bill from $1100 per month to $300 per month and eliminate the use of my chiller. Also, the noise/pump drone from my tank was cut by more than half.

Ok, I thought that an external pump would eliminate heating the water, but that was not accurate. Is there much of an advantage then of an external pump vs an internal pump? Looks like this isn't the pump for me, I want to make sure that I have a large enough pump. I am also hoping to get away without a chiller (tank will be located in the basement), but I am not sure that I won't need one. So a pump that runs cooler would be preferable. Being efficient is important too. I will check out the reeflo dart. Thanks again for the input.

 

[slief]

The problem with in sump pumps is that there are not really any good options for people with large tanks that need high volume with decent head pressure, something Iwaki's are really good at. Also you run the risk of electricity leaks and a higher failure rate. I much prefer external pumps (like the Iwaki) but I like pumps with Baldor style motors like the Reeflo's because they run cool and quiet. They consume a minimal amount of power while putting out a ridiculous amount a flow and pressure..

 

[billdogg]

I have used Iwaki, Little Giant, and now a DART Gold. Hands down the DART is the quietest of any of them. As mentioned above, it gates down easily. I have mine split through a DIY manifold to feed my carbon and gfo reactors, feed my refugium (a 120g tank), and the DT (a 150). I like it so much I have a backup - well - it soon will be used for the 120 DT the wife has ok'd to replace the 60......