return pump 14 ft head

[rxinc]

Hi,
I am looking for a return pump that will go from my basement straight up about 14 ft. to my 220 gal. reef tank.
I thought about the sequence hammerhead but not clear on the low vs. pressure ratings.
Any other pump you would suggest.
I am looking for reasonably low wattage ( vs. a mantaray's 770 watts) and get extra flow thru powerheads etc.

 

[Jeremy B.]

Hi,

If you could let me know what type of gph rating you are trying to achieve I'd be more than happy to make some suggestions for you. Also, what are you going to be returning this back through?

Thanks,
Jeremy

 

[rxinc]

what type of gph rating you are trying to achieve

I think I read 3-5 x tank vol. should go thru the return w/ the rest via powerheads etc. So probably 1000 gph ( 3 x tot. vol = 220 tank + 100 sump + 50 fuge) at the low end, unless you have a different suggestion.

Some people on this site rec. gen x mak 4, pan world 150ps. or the sequence hammerhead.

what are you going to be returning this back through?

PVC pipe, it is a straight shot up to the tank. Someone told me to get a 1.5 in. pump like the sequence hammerhead, so I have the pipe and unions/fittings but now question that particular pump b/c it is a high flow low pressure pump. Thanks, Fred

 

[Jeremy B.]

I'm not sure why the Hammerhead was recommended, as that would be way too much flow for what you are needing. The Barracuda would be much more suitable in this situation, and actually what I would recommend. That pump will be pulling about 230 watts total, and still running just a little over 2000gph. You can always turn it down via a ball valve if you have too much flow as well. This will not hurt the pump at all to do this.

People can argue "why would you want to waste that much flow when you can get an Iwaki or PanWorld that will be much closer in flow rates and you won't have to turn it down". While that may be true, they are still pulling the same, or even more power than what the Sequence will be pulling, and be putting more heat into the water as well.

I think regardless of which pump you end up going with, I would still stay with the Sequence brand. These guys flat out know their pump technology and build one heck of a product!

When it really comes down to it you shouldn't worry about the pump being "pressure rated" or "not pressure rated". What you need to be looking at is the flow curve. As long as you are getting the desired flow you want at the given head pressure you are going to have, that is all that matters.

If you have any questions please let us know.

Thanks,
Jeremy