Pump Question for a 280G System

[titmouse]

I'm currently running a pair of Iwaki MD40RXTs on my mixed system. I have two 1.5" overflows fed to a sump with the Iwakis fed from two drilled 1" bulkheads in the sump. One feeds 1" returns on either side of the tank run through a scwd (dims are 108x18x27, overflows on each side). The other pump runs to a 1" line feed 3 returns mid tank.

The Iwakis run fine, but they are loud as hell and my electric bill is staggering. . I'm a bit limited with the 1" bulkhead size. Any thoughts if I could switch to a single pump to power all of that? If so, recs on a good pump that is reasonably quiet and efficient? I though about using a Dart fed from two of the 1" bulkheads... Think that might work?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[viggen]

Dart or snapper would work but not with 1 in intake. I think it requires a 2 in inake??

They are quieter & pull less power then the iwaki pumps & will push similar water to the pair of pumps.

For a 300g tank not sure you want that much flow going throught the sump, 2-5x's a hr is all you need. Then make a CL or use powerheads to get you the flow you want.

On my 220g I use a velocity T4 (140w) which flows 800-1000 gph & is totally silent

My 475g I use a Red Dragon 12m3 (115w) which is suppose to flow 2500 +/- gph & is also silent.

The SCWD's also create a bit of head pressure, Ocean Motions are much better!

 

[titmouse]

Thanks for the help. I was think of those Red Dragons, but they are pretty spendy. I heard the velocitys add temp. True? I was thinking of using a pair of t3s.

I was thinking of trying to plumb two of my 1" intakes into a single 2" to feed the Dart, but am not sure that'd do the trick.

My system is kind of funky. Long, fairly tall and narrow. I get big dead spots in the middle, so I need the flow. Viewable from the two long sides, so the usual power heads have been marginally successful.

Good tip on the OM.

 

[viggen]

I would think the T3's would be a BIG step down in flow vs the iwaki's so if you are spending the money you might as well get the T4's which would still be a step down in flow I would think. But like I said they are totally silent. The best way I can compare then to the iwaki's is go over to the iwaki pumps, turn them off.... that's what the velocity pumps sound like. I use them at my funeral home.... they are... dead silent

Yea they do add heat but I doubt it's a full degree in a tank your size, smaller tanks it could be a few degrees.

When I was pump shopping for my 475g I was considering a dart or dart gold. Ended up finding the RD 12m3 new for the price of a Dart Gold so I had to try it.... I am now a believer! I tried a dart on a old tank a few years ago & it made to much noise for me but not as loud as a iwaki.

I know this isn't cheap but I would think you could do a single velocity T4 plummed to a OM squirt (4 outputs). Then depending on how long.... long is, get a pair of MP60's or MP40's from Vortec/Ecotec. The 60's are up to 60w ea & push 7K gallons or so but are about $700 ea or the 40 which is up to 30w & 3K gallons of flow at $450 ea. This is the direction I plan on going on my 10ft tank, a pair of MP-60's but it's going to be a while before I can spend that kind of money. You could even skip the OM & use the MP's synced to get alternating flow patters.

 

[titmouse]

Just wanted to circle back on this question I asked ages ago. Ended up totally rebuilding the sump of my tank and plugged a Reeflo Hammerhead Gold into the system. I keep it fairly valved down (like 1/3), but it is a beast of a pump. Powers my whole system, including my pellets and gfo and is amazingly quiet. Great great pump.