Red Dragon Pumps Not Power Efficient?

fishhead2008 · 03/10/2011, 01:22 PM

Just wondering if anyone else has tested their Red Dragon pumps for actual power usage? I tested mine and its supposibly only supposed to be drawing 18 watts and its over 40 watts?? ***? Needless to say I am totally not impressed with Red Dragon pumps so far. They are quiet but..... Anyone else have similar issues or did I just get a faulty pump?

reefergeorge · 03/10/2011, 04:58 PM

Just an idea, but what voltage, and Hz do you run in canada? The 18w may be a different rating.

bag151 · 03/10/2011, 05:43 PM

Which Red Dragon pump are you running? I don't recall ever seeing a red dragon rated at 18w. Also is there a lot of head pressure on the pump? I will throw a Kill-a-Watt meter on mine tonight, but if I remember correct I was getting just about what the manufacture listed last time I checked.

-Brett

fishhead2008 · 03/11/2011, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefergeorge

Just an idea, but what voltage, and Hz do you run in canada? The 18w may be a different rating.

110v and 60hz is what it says on pump

alton · 03/11/2011, 12:37 PM

I went to a website and smallest one I could find was 48 watts? Can you post your model number?

fishhead2008 · 03/11/2011, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bag151

Which Red Dragon pump are you running? I don't recall ever seeing a red dragon rated at 18w. Also is there a lot of head pressure on the pump? I will throw a Kill-a-Watt meter on mine tonight, but if I remember correct I was getting just about what the manufacture listed last time I checked.

-Brett

I have the 170 Alpha RD1000 skimmer pump in which in their ad specs it claims 18w, decal on pump claims 26w and my power meter says around 40 watts. I could see maybe being a few watts off but over double??????

fishhead2008 · 03/12/2011, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alton

I went to a website and smallest one I could find was 48 watts? Can you post your model number?

Any 170 Alpha skimmer spec sheet claims 18 watts

USC-fan · 03/12/2011, 09:59 AM

I could find it listed 24 watts. And the pump listed on another skimmer at 28 watts.

Thats crazy you are getting over 40.Something must be wrong. I would not be happy with paying a lot for a skimmer and getting double the power.

fishhead2008 · 03/22/2011, 09:56 PM

Yes I am definately choked after spending this kind of money on a sub par product and poor customer service in my opinion. The original impeller was drawing over 50 watts! It took a month after purchasing to get the so called proper impeller that only draws 40 watts even though Red Dragon specs claim 18 watts. Also DEFINATELY POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE as I read when I researched Bubbleking Red dragon Vertex Alpha before I purchased. Definately should of went the ATB route and still might!

BFG · 03/22/2011, 10:44 PM

Welcome to the Fabled Mythical Named Pump That Cost A Premium But Do Not Last Long club..........

sjm817 · 03/23/2011, 06:31 AM

The RD pumps (Askoll Laguna) do not draw as low as what is advertised by BK. Power factor is very bad as well. The Askoll pump these are based off of are not designed to be low flow skimmer pumps. Modifying the big water pump to a small capacity pump is not efficient.

fishhead2008 · 03/23/2011, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjm817

The RD pumps (Askoll Laguna) do not draw as low as what is advertised by BK. Power factor is very bad as well. The Askoll pump these are based off of are not designed to be low flow skimmer pumps. Modifying the big water pump to a small capacity pump is not efficient.

How can companies like Royal Exclusiv/Red Dragon get away with advertisig false power wattage usage numbers? Is this not false advertising ?

ksed · 03/23/2011, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sjm817

The RD pumps (Askoll Laguna) do not draw as low as what is advertised by BK. Power factor is very bad as well. The Askoll pump these are based off of are not designed to be low flow skimmer pumps. Modifying the big water pump to a small capacity pump is not efficient.

I believe all skimmer pumps running on a pin wheel will have a low power factor.

sjm817 · 03/23/2011, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksed

I believe all skimmer pumps running on a pin wheel will have a low power factor.

They do, but define low. A good skimmer pump will be .50+. The RD are far below that

ksed · 03/24/2011, 07:53 PM

I am not an expert on this , but it seem many high end skimmer manufactures seem to be using Askoll based pumps. ATB, BK, SWC.
I believe Deltec is the only one still using modified Aqua Bee. I would like to know the PF on that pump.

sjm817 · 03/24/2011, 08:14 PM

I've see Askoll based skimmer pumps with a pf of .50 or a little better. The RD pumps on the Alpha skimmers can be down in the .20 - .30 range. The more you take a big pump and tune it down, the less efficient it gets. Not sure of the pf on the Deltec AB pumps.

Mike de Leon · 03/25/2011, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishhead2008

Just wondering if anyone else has tested their Red Dragon pumps for actual power usage? I tested mine and its supposibly only supposed to be drawing 18 watts and its over 40 watts?? ***? Needless to say I am totally not impressed with Red Dragon pumps so far. They are quiet but..... Anyone else have similar issues or did I just get a faulty pump?

I have never tested mine. I bought it for the performance and so far, it's amazing! I have had a few skimmers and so far this is the best. The skimmate stinks as heck. Corals have never been happier...
If you think you will save some money with 22 watt difference not gonna make a dent in this hobby. JMO.

There is a thread here from Premium Aquatics. Very informative. Check it out..

djze · 03/25/2011, 09:07 PM

the most important aspect should be is the skimmer doing it's job do like the performance and quality because 20 wt more is not a major dent in your bill

reefermad619 · 03/25/2011, 10:26 PM

I think what the op is getting at is that you pay 1G for a skimmer it should perform as advertised. By BK pulled almost double what is was supposed to and worked just well as my swc. It might have worked a little better, but IMO not worth the extra $700. Thank god I bought is from a friend

fishhead2008 · 04/08/2011, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djze

the most important aspect should be is the skimmer doing it's job do like the performance and quality because 20 wt more is not a major dent in your bill

I agree skimmer does its job and 22 watts is nothing- but its the "point" of their false advertising specification claims.

n0rk · 04/08/2011, 07:27 AM

I've found on 240v/50Hz Red Dragons actually tend to draw under their rated wattage

they're originally designed for this specification and pumps which are do tend to run less efficiently on 110v/60Hz in my experience.

fishhead2008 · 04/08/2011, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefermad619

I think what the op is getting at is that you pay 1G for a skimmer it should perform as advertised. By BK pulled almost double what is was supposed to and worked just well as my swc. It might have worked a little better, but IMO not worth the extra $700. Thank god I bought is from a friend

Exactly!

campos · 04/08/2011, 06:57 PM

I never quite understood the reason people buy Red Dragon pumps unless people have extra money to burn. If thats the case you can just give me extra money and i will come and clean your pumps for you. I'll even do it twice a year.
Seriously though are they really worth that much more money. I don't like spending $150-$200 for a pump i could not imagine spending $700-$800. Can someone please explain

jmchzn123 · 04/08/2011, 08:57 PM

I'm retarded. ......bend me over may I have another one sir.....yes sir!!!.......just saying

n0rk · 04/08/2011, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by campos

Seriously though are they really worth that much more money. I don't like spending $150-$200 for a pump i could not imagine spending $700-$800. Can someone please explain

I always thought the same... it's not until you own one it becomes obvious. Sure, you guys over there get stung with the power inefficiency that we in the 240v world don't, but they're just a fabulously well built pump.

Don't get me wrong, the money involved is a bit rich for most people's blood... but, top end build and performance will always have diminishing returns for top end dollars...

03/10/2011, 01:22 PM	#1
fishhead2008 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: canada Posts: 74	Red Dragon Pumps Not Power Efficient? Just wondering if anyone else has tested their Red Dragon pumps for actual power usage? I tested mine and its supposibly only supposed to be drawing 18 watts and its over 40 watts?? ***? Needless to say I am totally not impressed with Red Dragon pumps so far. They are quiet but..... Anyone else have similar issues or did I just get a faulty pump?

03/10/2011, 04:58 PM	#2
reefergeorge Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: St Louis MO Posts: 4,222	Just an idea, but what voltage, and Hz do you run in canada? The 18w may be a different rating. __________________ $35-50 for a <1" frag of some stupid named thing that came from a colony you bought for $40-60 wholesale and chopped into 20-40 pieces? No thanks. "JasonH" Current Tank Info: 125 aggressive reef, DIY led lighting, swc cone skimmer, 33 gallon sump, posiden Ps3 return.

03/10/2011, 05:43 PM	#3
bag151 Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 279	Which Red Dragon pump are you running? I don't recall ever seeing a red dragon rated at 18w. Also is there a lot of head pressure on the pump? I will throw a Kill-a-Watt meter on mine tonight, but if I remember correct I was getting just about what the manufacture listed last time I checked. -Brett __________________ -Brett Current Tank Info: 336g Penninsula Reef Tank

03/22/2011, 10:44 PM	#10
BFG Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 700	Welcome to the Fabled Mythical Named Pump That Cost A Premium But Do Not Last Long club.......... __________________ If you've learnt, teach. If you have, give.

03/23/2011, 06:31 AM	#11
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	The RD pumps (Askoll Laguna) do not draw as low as what is advertised by BK. Power factor is very bad as well. The Askoll pump these are based off of are not designed to be low flow skimmer pumps. Modifying the big water pump to a small capacity pump is not efficient. __________________ - Scott

03/11/2011, 12:37 PM	#5
alton Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zuehl, Texas Posts: 4,460	I went to a website and smallest one I could find was 48 watts? Can you post your model number?

03/12/2011, 09:59 AM	#8
USC-fan Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,626	I could find it listed 24 watts. And the pump listed on another skimmer at 28 watts. Thats crazy you are getting over 40.Something must be wrong. I would not be happy with paying a lot for a skimmer and getting double the power.

03/22/2011, 09:56 PM	#9
fishhead2008 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: canada Posts: 74	Yes I am definately choked after spending this kind of money on a sub par product and poor customer service in my opinion. The original impeller was drawing over 50 watts! It took a month after purchasing to get the so called proper impeller that only draws 40 watts even though Red Dragon specs claim 18 watts. Also DEFINATELY POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE as I read when I researched Bubbleking Red dragon Vertex Alpha before I purchased. Definately should of went the ATB route and still might!

03/24/2011, 07:53 PM	#15
ksed Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,867	I am not an expert on this , but it seem many high end skimmer manufactures seem to be using Askoll based pumps. ATB, BK, SWC. I believe Deltec is the only one still using modified Aqua Bee. I would like to know the PF on that pump.

03/24/2011, 08:14 PM	#16
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	I've see Askoll based skimmer pumps with a pf of .50 or a little better. The RD pumps on the Alpha skimmers can be down in the .20 - .30 range. The more you take a big pump and tune it down, the less efficient it gets. Not sure of the pf on the Deltec AB pumps. __________________ - Scott

03/25/2011, 09:07 PM	#18
djze Moved On Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: newark Posts: 136	the most important aspect should be is the skimmer doing it's job do like the performance and quality because 20 wt more is not a major dent in your bill

03/25/2011, 10:26 PM	#19
reefermad619 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: The Salty D! Sandy let go of my eggo! Posts: 1,962	I think what the op is getting at is that you pay 1G for a skimmer it should perform as advertised. By BK pulled almost double what is was supposed to and worked just well as my swc. It might have worked a little better, but IMO not worth the extra $700. Thank god I bought is from a friend __________________ Fish tanks and Chevys... And my cousin's Datsun too. Some call it paranoid. I call it prepared. You have more post than I do... You MUST be right then!

04/08/2011, 07:27 AM	#21
n0rk More is better-er! Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Bloody kangaroos! Posts: 251	I've found on 240v/50Hz Red Dragons actually tend to draw under their rated wattage they're originally designed for this specification and pumps which are do tend to run less efficiently on 110v/60Hz in my experience. __________________ Benjamin Current Tank Info: A coupla thousand watts of light, massive tidal flows, and a whole lotta filtration

04/08/2011, 06:57 PM	#23
campos Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Bay Area/San Ramon Posts: 546	I never quite understood the reason people buy Red Dragon pumps unless people have extra money to burn. If thats the case you can just give me extra money and i will come and clean your pumps for you. I'll even do it twice a year. Seriously though are they really worth that much more money. I don't like spending $150-$200 for a pump i could not imagine spending $700-$800. Can someone please explain

04/08/2011, 08:57 PM	#24
jmchzn123 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 240	I'm retarded. ......bend me over may I have another one sir.....yes sir!!!.......just saying __________________ 10 years running - 90 gal Tech Tank, 48x18x24/ 30 gal sump/ BK 180 mini/ 3 AI Sol Blues/ DSB / UV / Tunze Wave Box/ APEX-Lite controller/ dosing pumps on the way/ Goldfish

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