Pumps

A

AcuraCl1

New member
My tank is a 167G with a 40G sump. I have a Reeflo Dart hooked up. My prob is the Dart is way too much for the tank, and I have the valves only opened a tiny bit, and still too much.

Any recommendations on an external pump that is really quiet with less output.

The problem that I am having, is that I cannot keep enough water in the compartment where the return pump pulls from. The water level stays around at the top of the bulkhead. So I get air gusps all the time, and it sounds like a whirlpool.
 
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It depends on how much vertical head you need, but a QO 6000, Mag 9.5 or 12, or pump that has around 1500 gph at 0 head would be a safe bet, assuming you have at least 1200gph of overflows.
 
Are you using the pump for flow, or for return from the sump. You probably don't want water flowing through the sump too fast. You could use the dart for a closed loop, and get a nice external return pump like a panworld pcx40 (I think that is the model). Very quiet, very efficient. Super nice pump.
 
Sounds like you need a bigger sump area for the pump feed! It should equal out after It gets going If there Is enough water B4 It sucks air. JMO As I run a dart on my 185.
 
I'm a fan of lower flow through the sump (less problems with microbubbles, less energy wastage due to head loss, less noise from the overflows), and gaining flow through power heads or a closed loop. 1 possibility for your setup would be to go with a smaller return (like the panworld pump) and use your dart for a closed loop or use powerheads for flow. Another would be to do as poolkeeper1 mentioned and modify your sump/overflow setup to accommodate the dart as your return. For that you'd need to make sure your overflows can accommodate the flow, and make sure you larger diameter (e.g. 1 1/2") pipe to the sump with minimal bends, and possibly put a ball valve on the return to dial the flow back some if needed. The former approach can be much more energy efficient and give you more flow than simply using the dart for a return. The latter might cost less and may be a bit less hassle (unless you need a new sump to accommodate).
 
Thanks. I will not be using a closed loop on my setup. My sump has 3 compartments. Left side is for the skimmer where both where both drains go into this area, then the water flows to the second section for my refugium, and then the water flows to the 3rd section for my return.

On my manifold thats on the pump, I have ball valves on each outlet. On both of the outlets for the returns, they are scaled back to where they are barely open. My return area in the sump is a decent size to me, but I guess not big enough. With the ball valves barely open the flow is light in the aquarium with the micro bubbles and air gasps from not enough water in the return area. The flow to the return area in the sump just cannot keep up with the pump pulling in water. My overflows are 1" bulkheads.
 
On the pumps, are you talking about the gen x 40 pump. Would I be better off going one up on the pumps, since I will be using 2 little reactors for carbon, and phosphate.
 
Agreed with all Jack said, I think What I do with my dart as a return Is very different than what Scott Is doing. First off I run a large skimmer 350 gph, and a reactor for carbon, and one for Phos when needed and I do have 1 1/2" lines. Also I have a 100gal sump that can handle the flow plus I have It dialed back a bit on my return running about the same as when I ran a QO 6000 maybe 1200 gph after head loss. A dart pushes 3600 gph If you are only using a small portion of It a smaller pump would be better IMO And valves on your return lines are a must as Jack has mentioned to regulate your flow some If needed. My system also looses flow due to my sump being In a different room than my tank so there Is some head loss.
 
It's the panworld 40px. They have several versions here:

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-supplies/Panworld.html

You might go a bit bigger as you suggest, but you probably don't need too much more gph. Since you are limited with 1" bulkheads, you are also limited a bit in the flow the overflow can handle. You can still improve things by using bigger diameter pipe above and below the bulkheads, but lower flow will help a lot in this situation, since you are already dialing it way back.
 
What about one of these two pumps. Theres someone kinda of local selling both of these for $80 each.

Poseidon PS3 External Pump
Gen-X PCX40
 
I don't know about the poseidon. The pcx40 will be a bit louder than the panworld, but it will probably be quite a bit less noisy than your current setup :)
 
The guy selling both of them, said the pcx 40 is definately louder, and that the poseidon is quiet. How much gph do I need for the pump, since I have 2 return lines and then 2 little reactors.
 
I'd say you really only need ~400-600 gph for the return + some for the reactors (that won't take much flow). You can also use powerheads like maxijets to power the reactors if that simplifies things. The lower the flow, the less noise/heat you'll have from that part of the system. Other folks like more flow from the returns, so part of it is personal preference. I tend to want things to be quiet and energy efficient.
 
Two Maxijets use as much power as a Dart that's throttled down a bit and IMO that 400-600 gph In a 180 with 1 1/2 In hose Is not even gonna move the water around much, 2-300 gph per return would make a good sea horse tank IMO. I would use a QO 6000 with a valve to adjust the flow as needed. But that Is just my opinion.
 
Is the QO 6000 external. I already drilled my sump, and would like to use an external one as long as it is quiet if possible.

Are the panworlds pretty quiet.

I was thinking around 1100 GPH. Would that be enough.
 
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