I am also considering this pump-
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/panworld-40px-external-water-pump-480gph.html It has a 13.5 foot max head pressure (which gets me where I need to go. Of course if it flows zero GPH at 13.5 than it's not much use to me. I like the idea of not having to move the pump from salt to RODI as needed. Flopping the end of a hose in sounds easier.
I don't think this is going to cut it. Here's the performance chart w/head v.s. flow curve...
http://www.panworldamericas.com/PX/50Hz/A3400319.pdf.
Also... for what you want I think an internal pump, if one with right parameters exists
, would work much better ... unless I am misunderstanding. External pumps are good for being set up in one spot and running 24/7 - as return pumps. Not really for on/off every once in a while from this container or lets move it over there to another container. You gotta keep them dry remember which makes it painful to switch between containers. Unless you set up some elaborate plumbing system so the pump and pipes stay put and you just switch flow w/bunch of ball valves or something.
I've been looking for a pump like this for the past several months and have been swaying between external and submersible return pump setup, both of which have ups and downs. Initially I set out w/the idea that I will just run the plumbing to the basement (from 1st floor DT I am building) and use it for water changes and top-off replenishment at first, but w/an option of moving the entire filtration setup down there at some point in the future. But... then I changed my mind and decided that since I am already running the plumbing I might as well just move the sump down to the basement and do it right to begin with. The difference is that w/the sump in the basement you have to run a much stronger pump, around 140 to 180w to get required flow at that head pressure. W/sump in the stand a 45 to 80w pump is enough. That's basically a difference of $15/month in electricity. But the convenience of everything being in a large room where noise doesn't necessarily matter that much and you don't have to squeeze and kneel and crawl is huge of course.
So I've spent considerable brain and google time researching various options. The bottom line I've arrived at is that wanting to minimize wattage of the pump (which you do because the thing is going to run 24/7 in my case) external pumps that would work are Iwaki MD55rlt, Panworld 150PS and there were couple others from little giant etc. Reeflo being the Mercedes here has a pump called Tarpon Uno which would work well, but that is of course ridiculously expensive. I don't think they have any pumps below $400
. MAG 18 turned out to be an inexpensive submersible alternative... which I decided to go with, at least initially. It's the least expensive and some heat from a water cooled pump might actually be good (this remains to be seen of course, but just in case I do have a chiller) and heaters will kick in less.
In your case, if you just want to use the pump for water changes and top-off replenishment... submersible pump on the end of a vinyl or SpaFlex hose sounds like a much more convenient setup than hard plumbed external pump w/a network of pipes and valves going to all the containers
. But... that's me, maybe its not so bad to have it all fixed and just turn the valves to do what you want to do.
BTW, where in VA are you? I am 3hrs from Lancaster PA as well (in Haymarket - exit 40 on 66), bought my 90G DT and 30G sump there couple months ago. Great place, I agree... It's like a reefer's nirvana when you go there! LOL ...
Space
