Reeflo Dart noise level

[287C]

I posted this thread in the Large Reef Tanks forum and thought I might get some fed back here as well.

I'm get ready to start to build my new tank a 250 gallon mixed reef. I want to put it in our living room. My wife hated the noise my old tank made and I moved it to our computer room to make her happy. I has a Mag 12 a chiller and 2 Mag 5s. I think the big problem for her was the noisy over flows that I have fixed. She now likes the silence of our living room and thinks I'll screw it up with the new tank and the pump hum. Can anybody using Darts give me any idea of how loud they might be? I'll be building a stand that is enclosed with some sound dampening in it and using Beans overflow design. My plan is to run the Dart as my rec. pump but am questioning my self of maybe running a Snapper instead. I am drilling the bottom for a closed loop to add later and would probably run the same pump on that also. I currently run 4 modded MJ 1200s on a wavemaker and want to switch to the Oceans Motions latter. Would 2 Snappers be enough flow or should I just stick to the Dart? If I wouldn't of found this site I wouldn't be having these issues. Looking at all the beautiful tanks you guys have got me more interested again.

 

[milkit]

my dart is silent. the massive amount of water overflowing because of the dart is not

 

[287C]

Any other info from anybody would help.

 

[billdogg]

my dart is essentially silent. If you have large enough bulkheads (i have 2 x 1" and 2 x 2") and unrestricted drains (keep it 2" all the way to sump with minimal bends) the overflow will stay quiet as well

 

[billdogg]

also - you can put a ball or gate valve on the output side of a dart to fine tune flow to minimize noise. it will not hurt the pump at all and actually uses less power

 

[RokleM]

Sound is completely subjective. The only person that can answer as to if it's too noisy is you and your wife. I'd recommend posting in your local forum and trying to find somewhere you can go hear the model you want.

A good example. I think my Vortech's are hideously loud. It's not a maintenance issue, it's not a problem with the pumps, it's just how they are. That being said, I'm use to a SILENT not QUIET tank. All my other equipment is downstairs, so the only noise at all is maybe a hum off of the MH lightbulbs. However, users with a bunch of pumps, skimmers, etc under their stand drown out the noise of the vortech, so they call it "silent".

 

[Mr. Brooks]

The newer darts with the Baldor motors are silent. You really need the rubber dampening pad though. Wood cabinets amplify any vibration.

I had several Darts with the smaller A.O. Smith motors. They all sounded different. Some were loud, some were quiet. Lots of problems with those pumps. Reeflo got their act together with the new motor.

The Snapper, Dart and Super Dart are all the same pump. Just different impeller. I recommend the snapper for your return. Run a manifold to feed your chiller, reactors, skimmer etc. You'll have more than enough flow. I'd go with a Super Dart on your closed loop. If it's too powerfull, change to a Dart impeller. Very easy to do.

Remember to install the pumps in an area that'll be easy to get to. Union ball valves are a must. I always dreaded taking my Darts out for service. Even with the union ball valves you're going to spill water so plan for that as well.

 

[TheMcs]

I run a Hammerhead, it is quiet. It will get a little louder if you valve it back. A noisy Reeflo pump is one with a problem. Caveat to my advice is that my pump is in a dedicated fish room in the garage, not next to the TV.

 

[troylee]

I have a dart and run bean animals overflow and it is dead silent....the dart sits on top of a rubber mat and is plumbed with spaflex so there is no vibration at all... click my red house and you can see it all in details...I think page 8 can't remember for sure off the top of my head.....

 

[davocean]

I also agree they vary w/ the AO Smith motors.
I've had 5 diff ones, all varied in sound, and some in temp as well.
Hopefully baldor motor is better.

 

[RokleM]

Agree there on the AOS vs Baldor comments. My AO's were much more noisy and HOT. The Baldor is quite a bit quieter and runs much more coolly with the fins and quality fan cooling. Also agree on the valves. I spend a little extra on my projects overusing true union ball valves from savko

 

[brian10956]

Dart Drain

Dart Drain

If you go for one of the Sequence pumps replace the drain plug with a John Guest type ball valve so you can easily drain it when cleaning or repairing .

 

[scottwhitson]

I can guarantee that they will be quiter than the Mags that you were running. Mag pumps are VERY loud.