What is the best silent, high flow closed loop pump?

I just got my barracuda plumbed and running and it is awesome. Tons of flow in my 110g. It is plumbed over the top, too
 
Waterways Iron Might 2400 GPH pump on my closed loop. It is absolutely silent and cool to the touch.
 
Costazul said:
GRI 520, Pressure/Flow/Noise... Balanced pump.

Great pump, but I have to disagree on the noise part. It's a lot quieter than a large Iwaki or LG, but still much noisier than Sequence pumps.

The single GRI 520 on our 205 is noisier than the combination of 2 sequence pumps on our 700. And one of those Sequences is a 1000-series pushing 5200gph.

Regards,
 
I have an ampmaster 2700 on my new 120aga closed loop setup under my tank and it seems to work great so far. I don't even hear it and I don't even have the doors on my stand yet. I screwed it down nice and tight and no noise or vibration.
 
Thanks to everyone! I have decided to go with the Sequence Dart and to add a Dolphin vibration pad if needed.

The Dart has a 2" inlet. For those with that unit (or similar) will one 1.5" and one 1" inlet with strainers (both from bottom of tank) fed into a 2" pipe provide enough flow? I want to make sure I don't cut down the flow as much as possible - also don't want too much suction to pull in critters through the strainers. I have another 1.5" bulkhead but it is about 4' away from the others (and I thought it might be better as an outlet).
 
jsbzmcdaniel said:
I am running the Dart on my OM closed loop and the pump is silent. I had to put my hand on it to make sure it was running:D.

I disagree with that statement. If you can't hear the Dart then the rest of your tank must be making too much noise.

Quiet is a relative term. It is a "fairly quiet" pump. I have a Dart on a closed loop with an OM 4-way. This is the only thing on my tank. No skimmer, no overflow (yet) so any noise my tank makes is coming purely from the Dart. It's not an annoying noise. It doesn't vibrate. It makes a similar sound to a Gen-X external only quieter. I measured the noise of the Dart with the doors on my cabinet closed at 52dB from 12" away. Your overflow will probably mask the sound of the pump.

Edit: One other thing, I have a rubber isolation pad under the pump too.
 
I have my dart on a 1-1/2" bulkhead. I go to 2" right after the bulkhead and continue with it to the pump.

Make sure you have plenty of space for the strainer in the tank.

Inside my tank, I have a 1-1/2" tee with two strainers on it.
 
All,
I have read so many good things about Iwaki but from teh feeling of this thread, is it your opinion that the Dart is a better, more reliable and quieter pump?

- Chris
 
Thanks, I had not thought of adding tee for 2 strainers!

I hope the 52db is an exception in terms of noise. I was really hoping for something really, really close to silent. I'll post after I get mine hooked up.
 
chrisd4421 said:
All,
I have read so many good things about Iwaki but from teh feeling of this thread, is it your opinion that the Dart is a better, more reliable and quieter pump?

- Chris

I don't think any pump has the proven reliability of Iwaki, or at least the Iwakis manufactured in Japan. Maybe Eheim, but they don't make anything bigger than 1300gph for the U.S. market.

Sequence seems great, and GRI touts an 8 hour dry run capability, so I went with those brands to avoid the noise, but they are both new-ish, at least to the marine aquarium discussion boards. Sequence has only been getting good marine aquarium press for about 18 months, whereas you can easily find 5 and 7 year testimonials about the reliability of Iwaki or Eheim.

Regards,
 
I didnt read the rest of the replies but Sequence 750 or 1000 series is the best BY FAR. I will never use another pump on my tanks.
 
A sequence Dart is probably the way to go. Just don't crack the volute! The Barracuda is likely a very good pump. I know sequence had problems with the reefflos when they first came out, but those problems are now fixed. Just make sure you get the real Reefflo, not a valuflo w/ saltwater seals. I have a hammerhead and I had to replace a few parts on it, now it is running strong, and quiet.;)

Don't get wimpy 1200 gph pumps for CL applications. Doesn't make sense. 3000 to 6000 gph is the way to go!:cool:
 
Setting up new 180 gallon to replace 125 gallon. Just received my Sequence Barracuda last week. Briefly tested noise on dry run and was impressed with how quiet it was (I realize head pressure may increase noise). It will be replacing my Iwaki 70RLT which on dry run was louder. Pump will still be plumbed outside so wife can't complain about noise. But I suspect it could pass her test if it was inside with noise dampening pad.
I plan to use Ocean Motions 4way for 4 x 1 inch unrestricted returns. I have a trapezoid overflow with 2 x 2inch bulkheads. Suspect to have between 2200 and 2700 GPH after all head pressure considered. Any thoughts as to whether this layout will be sufficient as alternative to closed-loop? I would use closed loop, but don't have fishroom and part of new tank deal with wife was to have it be quieter.
 
I think a Barracuda would work fine, very little noise if on a rubber pad and isolated from plumbing with some flex piping.

Just make sure your sump can handle that much flow w/o making lots of noise or micro-bubbles.
 
Thanks lsm- The noise will not be an issue since the pump/sump will be outside. Microbubbles could be an issue. I was thinking of using a 40 gal rubbermaid container, but may need something bigger.
 
Another vote for the Sequence DART, I run one as my main pump, incredible quiet, particularly for the volume of water that thing moves!

HDAlien
 
I used an ampmaster 3000 on my closed loop, two 1.5 intakes, two 1.5 outputs, and two 3/4 y'd Sea swirl outputs. The ampmaster couldn't handle it and I replaced it with a Sequence SQ4300. I have to cut back a little on the Sequence and after a few years of use it still works flawlessly. Very strong high pressure pump. The fan on this pump does make some noise but its not loud at all. The ampmaster was dead quiet.
I have a spare for sale in the for sale forum if your interested.
 
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