What pump for synergy overflow

[chuckbuc]

My 400 gallon tanks almost done ,I had a 20 inch synergy reef overflow put on it think it's 2600 gallons per hr.im trying to figure out what pump to get as a return pump ...what would you recommend?I was looking at the ecotech L1 .but do really need to spend $500,on a return
pump ?and what would be the purpose of getting a dc adjustable speed pump as a return pump .

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

Only advantage is a soft start, but I have lost 2 so now it's a Fluval ac for me.
Main thing to look @ is head, thought I had about 4' but it's more like 8'.This will help in determining the right pump.

 

[foxrazr]

I have mine setup in bean animal configuration. I run a MaxFlo 1500 on mine. I run it wide open and have to restrict my gate valve on my drain considerably. I use all 1.5" plumbing. I would try the Fluval SP6 with that size of tank. I have never tried that pump before but it uses the motor block that are made for Laguna which make the MaxFlo.

 

[chuckbuc]

Damn vinny thanks for the heads up ....is the fluval internal or external

 

[chuckbuc]

I've been using panworld externals on my tanks for years and never hand any issues with them ..they are pretty old now and I was thinking of changing one out for something more energy efficient, but do you think theses new pumps can stand up for longevity, the panworld build like a tank ,the new stuff seams all plastic

 

[foxrazr]

I have been using my maxflo for 2 years now and never a hiccup. I neglected it by not cleaning it by more than 1yr and is still going strong. I recently cleaned it and it still looks new. Before the maxflo I was running a Japanese motor Iwaki 55. The iwaki gave me more flow but was audible and more electricity. The maxflo you can hear it hum but nowhere near the iwaki. The Fluvals can be used external or internal.

 

[chuckbuc]

I just looked up the fluval looks good ,flow seams like it woukd work good ,just gotta get over the plastic cheap look ...i can't see that lasting as long as a panworld or iwaki right ?

 

[Lsufan]

I have a fluval sp6 & I wouldn't trade it for anything even close to it's price range. It is quiet, powerful & reliable. It was the perfect choice for me because that was the 3 most important things I was looking for. I wouldn't trade the reliability of the fluval to save $10 or $20 a year in electricity.

There may be better choices for some people, it depends what is the most important to the individual. What is the most important factors in a return pump for u? I would decide that then u could pic the best one for u.

I wouldn't worry at all about it being plastic, all internal pumps are. Pumps that u can only run externally are the only ones that are not. External pumps are usually a lot louder & not as energy efficient. But they are a good choice if u have a lot of head pressure.

 

[ca1ore]

I've been using panworld externals on my tanks for years and never hand any issues with them ..they are pretty old now and I was thinking of changing one out for something more energy efficient, but do you think theses new pumps can stand up for longevity, the panworld build like a tank ,the new stuff seams all plastic

This is just my opinion, but a main return pump should be reliable FIRST, everything else second. I ran an Iwaki for 19 years continuously, and at least a couple of my PanWorld pumps just passed the 10 year mark. The only PW pump that died prematurely on me was the very smallest model. I'm now running a throttled PW200 on my 265 which will do me as I contemplate going bigger.

BTW, would be interested to know if you think the synergy is adequate for such a large tank. I am contemplating a 96" 400 gallon tank and was looking at the longer modular marine version.

 

[chuckbuc]

I've been in the hobby for a long time and had a few different tanks. mostly all over 120 gallons.my last was a 300 gallon ,I don't believe in the whole turnover rate having to be 10x the tank gallon volume .don't get me wrong you still need a nice flow in the sump ,I like a steady swift flow threw the sump.to me the 2600 gallons the synergy overflow can handle will be more than enough,the skimmers in our sump and reactors ,can only handle so much anyways at one time ...plus now days everyone gets flow threw mp60,gyres,tunze powerheads,so I think overflow rates are not as important as they uses to be ,when you relied on your return pump or closed loop for tank flow ...

 

[chuckbuc]

I def will be running an external pump,I don't like having the pump in the sump if I don't have to ..

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

The Fluval is said to have an Askol motor block.
Supposed to be one of the best and highly recommended.
It is the same as the Max-Flo pond pump but with ceramic bearings instead of plastic.
The Max-Flow is my back up running now.

 

[ca1ore]

I wasn't questioning the synergy from a gph flow perspective, but rather it being long enough to effect proper surface skimming. I concluded for me that it's likely too short. YMMV.