Master Recirculation Pump

[snorvich]

Roger et al,

I am considering replacing my recirculation pumps for my two aquariums. All equipment is in the basement but the aquariums are on the first floor. I currently run both pumps (1/3 hp) slightly geared down using a ball valve.

Would your pumps be logical replacements? Does anyone have experience with these? I am especially looking for QUIET operation.

 

[rvitko]

How big is the aquarium? What are the inhabitants?

 

[snorvich]

Roger, there are two different aquariums. One of them is primarily SPS (320 gallons) and the other is primarily LPS (200 gallons). Both of them have plumbed chillers which take up part of the upflow. One of them has a sequence hammerhead pump rated at 5520 GPH and the other is an MDM incorporated pump that has a baldor pump that is 1/3 horsepower. I do not know what it is rated at. Both pumps are 1.5 inches input and output. I have both of them with reduced flow using a ball valve.

What I am looking for is, at the least a backup pump, and ideally one that is QUIETER than what I have. If I can get one that is significantly quieter, then I would replace both pumps and use them for backup. Thanks in advance.

 

[snorvich]

Oh, by the way, I have Tunze 6100/6200 on both aquariums for additonal flow.

 

[snorvich]

By the way, the one I am looking at is 1073.160.

 

[rvitko]

I think your return pumps are really good ones- especially the Baldor motor version. What I would advise is changing to much smaller return pumps like the biggest GRI or the 1073.09. That will save energy and noise but to go to the 1073.16 I don't really see a point. For added flow I would get the 6200 Streams 2 for the 320 and 2 6000 Streams for the 200. This should give you some redundancy as well if a pump fails.

 

[snorvich]

Thanks Roger. I will augment my flow with 6200/6100. I had not considered the redundancy issue, it is an excellent one.