It's a NO-GO on Ocean Runner Pump - - - Seek recommendations for a similar pump

GuySmilie · 04/12/2007, 02:04 AM

Well I had my heart set on getting an Aqua Medic Ocean Runner 3500 pump for my sumps return feed. But after closer inspection of their manual, it looks like this pump is made with compression fittings and not NPT threads or glued joints.

From what I'e read about this pump, it is very quiet and works pretty good for the money it cost.

Can anyone recommend a similar pump (with similar features and cost) that will accept standard rigid plumbing?
Thanks!
Guy

hahnmeister · 04/12/2007, 03:33 AM

They arent compression. The 3700 comes with the elbow and union pieces to match up with the turboflotor T5000s. You can easily mod these pieces to be US union mates.

Or, you can just get the OR 3500, which has regular threaded inlet/outlets: 1" MPT Input and 3/4" MPT output (the compression fittings are removable, just like on an eheim), and swap out the impeller for the needlewheel.

GuySmilie · 04/12/2007, 08:49 AM

Ya know what hahn? I do believe you're right.
I just went back and re-read the manual located here and it clearly states:
"If the pump is used as return pump, it can be directly connected to PVC pipe."

Guess I was too tired last night and did not read carefully enough

I was going mainly by what the drawing was showing and it wasn't clear (at least to my tired old eyes) that this pump would accept rigid plumbing.
Thanks bud - I owe ya one

Guy

AZDesertRat · 04/12/2007, 08:54 AM

The suction side is a 1" male iron pipe nipple. The discharge comes with several different adapters in a bag for you to choose from. I always use a short piece of flexible tubing right off my pumps to isolate vibrations and sound transfer through my piping so I used the 3/4" barbed outlet myself then convert to PVC after that.

GuySmilie · 04/12/2007, 01:16 PM

Thanks for the tip there AZDR.
I've been digging around a bit more this morning and now I'm looking hard at the Eheim 1262 also. I haven't bought any commercial aquarium equipment in over 10 years, so a lot of the brands available today are foreign to me (no pun intended)

But I do remember the Eheim & Tunze stuff being very well built and supported.

I wonder what you or hahn or any of the other more experienced aquarist think about this 1262 for a sump return pump? My main issues are low-noise, minimum heat transfer (when running in submerged mode), and stable operation.

Based on just what I've gleaned from the forums here, these two pumps are pretty well thought of....even though the Eheim is a bit pricey at $130.
Guy

hahnmeister · 04/12/2007, 01:33 PM

The only difference between a 1262 and a 1260 is that the 1262 has a slightly larger intake on the volute... otherwise, same pump, same speed, same outlet, same impeller... etc. Its just that one part. As you add some back pressure (head-pressure) to the 1262, it quickly becomes the same pump as the 1260... it has the exact same pressure handling curve. This may save you some $$$.

FWIW, those Oceanrunners are a pretty good buy... like a 'poor-man's eheim', but they perform just as good really.

Otherwise, if you want cool running, an external pump is in order. A Pan-World (marine depot sells them) is a great buy and will keep the tank very cool. So would a sequence product, but that may be a little to big for what you need.

AZDesertRat · 04/12/2007, 02:11 PM

I am in the process of testing various pumps right now. I just completed my initial testing on a brand new Eheim 1260 and was a little disappointed with the results:
I just tested an Eheim 1260:

Open discharge(0 psi)-63 watts @782 GPH
1 psi (2.3') - 60 watts @ 499.8 GPH
2 psi 4.6') - 54 watts @ 433.8 GPH
3 psi (6.9' )- 50 watts @ 356.4 GPH
3.5 psi (8') - 46 watts @ 300 GPH
4 psi (9.2') - 43 watts @ 253.2 GPH
shutoff head was 12.5' @ 0 GPH @ 40 watts

I plan to test a new OR 3500 this weekend and see how it stacks up against the 1260.
All tests were using a Kill a Watt meter, 3/4" Sensus flow meter, digital electronic timer, 1" ball valve and PVC piping and a 15 psi liquid filled pressure gauge. I just obtained a 1" flow meter to see if the results change at all but I don't believe they will.

bayislandsreef · 04/12/2007, 02:45 PM

I am planning a 90gal w/ megaflow rated at 600 gph at 4/5' head
would this PAN world pump be overkill or would be ok?? would it run quiet or too loud..I need quiet

Quote:

Originally posted by hahnmeister
The only difference between a 1262 and a 1260 is that the 1262 has a slightly larger intake on the volute... otherwise, same pump, same speed, same outlet, same impeller... etc. Its just that one part. As you add some back pressure (head-pressure) to the 1262, it quickly becomes the same pump as the 1260... it has the exact same pressure handling curve. This may save you some $$$.

FWIW, those Oceanrunners are a pretty good buy... like a 'poor-man's eheim', but they perform just as good really.

Otherwise, if you want cool running, an external pump is in order. A Pan-World (marine depot sells them) is a great buy and will keep the tank very cool. So would a sequence product, but that may be a little to big for what you need.

hahnmeister · 04/12/2007, 03:16 PM

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...ps.asp?CartId=

They are quiet and cool running. Even quieter are the Velocity T3/T4 pumps, but they dont run so cool.

Jeff · 04/12/2007, 03:19 PM

I have the OR3500 and love it. Silent and cool running. No problems plumbing it.

Solitaryensis · 04/12/2007, 03:32 PM

Anyone ever use the Aquaglobe(AQ) pump? My LFS owner used to swear by them and used them in all his customer setups with no problems. They seem to look exactly like the OR's and leads me to believe they might be the same manufacturer. Any input?

GuySmilie · 04/12/2007, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Engine 7
I have the OR3500 and love it. Silent and cool running. No problems plumbing it.

engine 7, do you run it submerged?
If yes, do you happen to know how much (if any), it increased your water temp?
Guy

hahnmeister · 04/12/2007, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Solitaryensis
Anyone ever use the Aquaglobe(AQ) pump? My LFS owner used to swear by them and used them in all his customer setups with no problems. They seem to look exactly like the OR's and leads me to believe they might be the same manufacturer. Any input?

They are good, but they just dont have distribution here in the US. Most of their models overlap with eheim products. They dont look just like Oceanrunners, they look just like eheims.

Regards,
Jon

GuySmilie · 04/12/2007, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AZDesertRat
I just completed my initial testing on a brand new Eheim 1260 and was a little disappointed with the results:

Open discharge(0 psi)-63 watts @782 GPH
1 psi (2.3') - 60 watts @ 499.8 GPH
2 psi 4.6') - 54 watts @ 433.8 GPH
3 psi (6.9' )- 50 watts @ 356.4 GPH
3.5 psi (8') - 46 watts @ 300 GPH
4 psi (9.2') - 43 watts @ 253.2 GPH
shutoff head was 12.5' @ 0 GPH @ 40 watts

I plan to test a new OR 3500 this weekend and see how it stacks up against the 1260.

All tests were using a Kill a Watt meter, 3/4" Sensus flow meter, digital electronic timer, 1" ball valve and PVC piping and a 15 psi liquid filled pressure gauge. I just obtained a 1" flow meter to see if the results change at all but I don't believe they will.

Now that's what I like about this joint. I get to hang out with the boyz with all the toyz

AZDR, I guess I don't know enough about this procedure to understand why you feel disappointed about these results.
Anyway, since you're going to test the OR3500, I'll put off a decision till Monday then, just to satisfy my curious nature.
Guy

GuySmilie · 04/12/2007, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hahnmeister
The only difference between a 1262 and a 1260 is that the 1262 has a slightly larger intake on the volute... otherwise, same pump, same speed, same outlet, same impeller... etc. Its just that one part. As you add some back pressure (head-pressure) to the 1262, it quickly becomes the same pump as the 1260... it has the exact same pressure handling curve. This may save you some $$$.

FWIW, those Oceanrunners are a pretty good buy... like a 'poor-man's eheim', but they perform just as good really.

Otherwise, if you want cool running, an external pump is in order. A Pan-World (marine depot sells them) is a great buy and will keep the tank very cool. So would a sequence product, but that may be a little to big for what you need.

Wow, thanks for another good tip hahnmeister. The 1260 is $10 cheaper....enough to pay the freight!
Do you know why they marketed the 1262 if it's basically the same mechanism as the 1260 with the larger intake?

Yeah the PW and Sequence would be overkill for my return water needs; not to mention being power hogs, when compared to the miserly Eheim and OR.
Guy

hahnmeister · 04/12/2007, 04:57 PM

Hey, there is a 1264 as well... No idea myself... just options.

Why do they offer Maxi-Jets in different sizes... they are all pretty much the same pump, just different size impeller blades and intake diameters on the volute... thats all. The MJ1200 only runs about 10-12 watts (not 22 like is commonly listed), and the MJ400 runs about 5 watts... so it makes you wonder... all I can say is that a MJ1200 may be too much for some people and thats the only reason why.

GuySmilie · 04/16/2007, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by AZDesertRat

......I plan to test a new OR 3500 this weekend and see how it stacks up against the 1260.

OK Mr. AZDR, it is pump buying day for me!
Is there any reason I should not buy an OR3500 vs the Eheim 1260, price notwithstanding?
Assuming that you had the opportunity to test the OR this weekend.
Guy

Solitaryensis · 04/16/2007, 01:44 AM

Guy,
Im in the market for a similar pump. What size are tank are you using this on?

GuySmilie · 04/16/2007, 02:06 AM

Gonna run it as a sump return pump to support a 58g display tank, modified with a smooth-lipped coast-to-coast external overflow. Actually, the overflow is only 24" of the tanks 36" span (guess that would technically make it a Nevada-Ohio overflow

Guy

crumbletop · 04/16/2007, 05:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by AZDesertRat
I plan to test a new OR 3500 this weekend and see how it stacks up against the 1260.

Wouldn't the OR 2500 be the matching pump to the 1260? Both are rated at ~600 gph at 0 head.

AZDesertRat · 04/16/2007, 07:53 AM

Probably so but I am testing what I can lay my hands on and the 1260 and 3500 were the first two pumps available to me. I didn't get the testing done but I did finally get my 1" flowmeter and am in the process of plumbing it now.

johns · 04/16/2007, 11:08 AM

Hey, there is a 1264 as well... No idea myself... just options.

Hahn - is the 1264 not going to be available in the US? Or just too new yet?

Personally, I use Eheim 1262 pumps. For the extra $10, they can withstand enough pressure to make them very worthwhile, IMO. According to the Eheim pressure charts, the 1262 can have about 8' of head pressure on it and still be delivering the gph of a 1260 with no pressure on it at all.

I'd probably even consider the 1264 if I could find more information about it.

hahnmeister · 04/16/2007, 12:24 PM

The 1264 was intended for the US when the 1262 came out as well.... years ago... but the 1264 just never showed up. It might have to do something with the torque/speed change from converting to 110v/60hz from 220v/50hz... the lowered torque and higher speed may have been too much for the pump to run well. My point for bringing it up was not that he should get one, or thy one, but that eheim does have this pump, and its the same body as the 1260... so with one pump they are able to get anything from 600-1200gph depending on the outlets/inlets... much like the Maxi-Jets, or even the Reeflo/Sequence Dart/Snapper pumps. Same pump... just different inlets/outlets.

GuySmilie · 04/30/2007, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AZDesertRat
I am in the process of testing various pumps right now............I plan to test a new OR 3500 this weekend and see how it stacks up against the 1260.

AZDR, did you ever get that OR3500 rigged up for testing?
Just curious of the results you may have found.

AZDesertRat · 04/30/2007, 03:32 PM

My wife has kept me busy around the house so I have been unable to plumb the new 1" flowmeter yet! Hopefully in the next week or so I should have better results (once the honey do's and spring cleaning are done).

04/12/2007, 02:04 AM	#1
GuySmilie Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 943	It's a NO-GO on Ocean Runner Pump - - - Seek recommendations for a similar pump Well I had my heart set on getting an Aqua Medic Ocean Runner 3500 pump for my sumps return feed. But after closer inspection of their manual, it looks like this pump is made with compression fittings and not NPT threads or glued joints. From what I'e read about this pump, it is very quiet and works pretty good for the money it cost. Can anyone recommend a similar pump (with similar features and cost) that will accept standard rigid plumbing? Thanks! Guy __________________ Guy Smilie

04/12/2007, 08:49 AM	#3
GuySmilie Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 943	Ya know what hahn? I do believe you're right. I just went back and re-read the manual located here and it clearly states: "If the pump is used as return pump, it can be directly connected to PVC pipe." Guess I was too tired last night and did not read carefully enough I was going mainly by what the drawing was showing and it wasn't clear (at least to my tired old eyes) that this pump would accept rigid plumbing. Thanks bud - I owe ya one Guy __________________ Guy Smilie

04/12/2007, 01:16 PM	#5
GuySmilie Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 943	Thanks for the tip there AZDR. I've been digging around a bit more this morning and now I'm looking hard at the Eheim 1262 also. I haven't bought any commercial aquarium equipment in over 10 years, so a lot of the brands available today are foreign to me (no pun intended) But I do remember the Eheim & Tunze stuff being very well built and supported. I wonder what you or hahn or any of the other more experienced aquarist think about this 1262 for a sump return pump? My main issues are low-noise, minimum heat transfer (when running in submerged mode), and stable operation. Based on just what I've gleaned from the forums here, these two pumps are pretty well thought of....even though the Eheim is a bit pricey at $130. Guy __________________ Guy Smilie

04/12/2007, 03:19 PM	#10
Jeff Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 11,907	I have the OR3500 and love it. Silent and cool running. No problems plumbing it. __________________ Always remember.... any time you reef, you also reef with every reefer that reefer has reefed with. Mitch 2/18/10 IWNFT343F Current Tank Info: Innovative Marine 20

04/16/2007, 02:06 AM	#19
GuySmilie Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 943	Gonna run it as a sump return pump to support a 58g display tank, modified with a smooth-lipped coast-to-coast external overflow. Actually, the overflow is only 24" of the tanks 36" span (guess that would technically make it a Nevada-Ohio overflow Guy __________________ Guy Smilie

04/12/2007, 03:33 AM	#2
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	They arent compression. The 3700 comes with the elbow and union pieces to match up with the turboflotor T5000s. You can easily mod these pieces to be US union mates. Or, you can just get the OR 3500, which has regular threaded inlet/outlets: 1" MPT Input and 3/4" MPT output (the compression fittings are removable, just like on an eheim), and swap out the impeller for the needlewheel.

04/12/2007, 08:54 AM	#4
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	The suction side is a 1" male iron pipe nipple. The discharge comes with several different adapters in a bag for you to choose from. I always use a short piece of flexible tubing right off my pumps to isolate vibrations and sound transfer through my piping so I used the 3/4" barbed outlet myself then convert to PVC after that.

04/12/2007, 01:33 PM	#6
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	The only difference between a 1262 and a 1260 is that the 1262 has a slightly larger intake on the volute... otherwise, same pump, same speed, same outlet, same impeller... etc. Its just that one part. As you add some back pressure (head-pressure) to the 1262, it quickly becomes the same pump as the 1260... it has the exact same pressure handling curve. This may save you some $$$. FWIW, those Oceanrunners are a pretty good buy... like a 'poor-man's eheim', but they perform just as good really. Otherwise, if you want cool running, an external pump is in order. A Pan-World (marine depot sells them) is a great buy and will keep the tank very cool. So would a sequence product, but that may be a little to big for what you need.

04/12/2007, 02:11 PM	#7
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	I am in the process of testing various pumps right now. I just completed my initial testing on a brand new Eheim 1260 and was a little disappointed with the results: I just tested an Eheim 1260: Open discharge(0 psi)-63 watts @782 GPH 1 psi (2.3') - 60 watts @ 499.8 GPH 2 psi 4.6') - 54 watts @ 433.8 GPH 3 psi (6.9' )- 50 watts @ 356.4 GPH 3.5 psi (8') - 46 watts @ 300 GPH 4 psi (9.2') - 43 watts @ 253.2 GPH shutoff head was 12.5' @ 0 GPH @ 40 watts I plan to test a new OR 3500 this weekend and see how it stacks up against the 1260. All tests were using a Kill a Watt meter, 3/4" Sensus flow meter, digital electronic timer, 1" ball valve and PVC piping and a 15 psi liquid filled pressure gauge. I just obtained a 1" flow meter to see if the results change at all but I don't believe they will.

04/12/2007, 03:16 PM	#9
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...ps.asp?CartId= They are quiet and cool running. Even quieter are the Velocity T3/T4 pumps, but they dont run so cool.

04/12/2007, 03:32 PM	#11
Solitaryensis Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Northern Cali. Bay Area Posts: 1,669	Anyone ever use the Aquaglobe(AQ) pump? My LFS owner used to swear by them and used them in all his customer setups with no problems. They seem to look exactly like the OR's and leads me to believe they might be the same manufacturer. Any input?

04/12/2007, 04:57 PM	#16
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	Hey, there is a 1264 as well... No idea myself... just options. Why do they offer Maxi-Jets in different sizes... they are all pretty much the same pump, just different size impeller blades and intake diameters on the volute... thats all. The MJ1200 only runs about 10-12 watts (not 22 like is commonly listed), and the MJ400 runs about 5 watts... so it makes you wonder... all I can say is that a MJ1200 may be too much for some people and thats the only reason why.

04/16/2007, 01:44 AM	#18
Solitaryensis Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Northern Cali. Bay Area Posts: 1,669	Guy, Im in the market for a similar pump. What size are tank are you using this on?

04/16/2007, 07:53 AM	#21
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	Probably so but I am testing what I can lay my hands on and the 1260 and 3500 were the first two pumps available to me. I didn't get the testing done but I did finally get my 1" flowmeter and am in the process of plumbing it now.

04/16/2007, 11:08 AM	#22
johns Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,684	Hey, there is a 1264 as well... No idea myself... just options. Hahn - is the 1264 not going to be available in the US? Or just too new yet? Personally, I use Eheim 1262 pumps. For the extra $10, they can withstand enough pressure to make them very worthwhile, IMO. According to the Eheim pressure charts, the 1262 can have about 8' of head pressure on it and still be delivering the gph of a 1260 with no pressure on it at all. I'd probably even consider the 1264 if I could find more information about it. __________________ Visit my Reefkeeping Tank of the Month: http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index.php/component/zine/article/4 Current Tank Info: 190G Custom Starphire Peninsula, External Overflow, 30G Sump, 70G GrowOut, 2x400W MH + 4x54W T5 over peninsula, 1x250W DE HQI over GrowOut, Octo Pro 300 skimmer, Eheim 1262 return w/ Wavysea, 2xTunze Streams + 2 Nano Streams, Neptune ACIII controller

04/16/2007, 12:24 PM	#23
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	The 1264 was intended for the US when the 1262 came out as well.... years ago... but the 1264 just never showed up. It might have to do something with the torque/speed change from converting to 110v/60hz from 220v/50hz... the lowered torque and higher speed may have been too much for the pump to run well. My point for bringing it up was not that he should get one, or thy one, but that eheim does have this pump, and its the same body as the 1260... so with one pump they are able to get anything from 600-1200gph depending on the outlets/inlets... much like the Maxi-Jets, or even the Reeflo/Sequence Dart/Snapper pumps. Same pump... just different inlets/outlets.

04/30/2007, 03:32 PM	#25
AZDesertRat Moved On Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: NW Phoenix Posts: 16,621	My wife has kept me busy around the house so I have been unable to plumb the new 1" flowmeter yet! Hopefully in the next week or so I should have better results (once the honey do's and spring cleaning are done).