needle wheel pumps?

neo1013 · 04/20/2006, 12:06 PM

anyone have any recomendations on what knind of needle wheel pump would work good on a DIY skimmer? also where I might be able to buy one of these pumps.

Amphiprion · 04/20/2006, 12:10 PM

It all depends on your needs. I recommend the Eheims for the needlewheels. I believe you can get them from deltec, H&S, and other brands that I cannot recall at the moment.

hyperfocal · 04/20/2006, 01:07 PM

Sedra, Gen-X and Ocean-Runner all sell needlewheel pumps. I'm looking to improve my Berlin skimmer, and am leaning towards the Gen-X pumps -- mostly because they seem to be the most economical, and still have a good reputation for reliability.

I've looked for Eheim needlewheels, but haven't had any luck finding them for sale online.

twon8 · 04/20/2006, 02:18 PM

finsreef has the eheims, but they are $300

hyperfocal · 04/20/2006, 05:31 PM

That's insane.

I'll have to take your word for it, I can't find anything at that site. The search function doesn't work and the interface is terrible.. and it's incredibly slow too.

I'll try the bioball mod to my Mag-5, if that fails I'll order a Gen-X.

neo1013 · 04/20/2006, 09:58 PM

who sells the gen x needle wheels? right now I have a gen x pump running my closed loop and am very happy with it.

hyperfocal · 04/20/2006, 10:25 PM

Premium Aquatics has them, others too...

twon8 · 04/21/2006, 12:47 AM

http://www.finsreef.com/home.php?cat...ction=0&page=2

mburnickas · 04/21/2006, 04:13 AM

Is not this the same 1260 that MD has for like $180 less ???

cward · 04/21/2006, 04:47 AM

Yes, but supposedly they have "special modifications".

mburnickas · 04/21/2006, 05:23 AM

Do you happen to know what those might be? I only ask since this pumps seems to be the one many say is good for my aquac skimmer (120). But then I look around and there is a huge price delta here.

cward · 04/21/2006, 05:42 AM

Other than the needle wheel, I'm not sure but it couldn't be much. The pump is priced out of the ballpark so the smaller skimmer builders don't buy them.

hyperfocal · 04/21/2006, 07:49 AM

I hope the "special modification" includes having a $100 bill taped to the pump :-D

twon8 · 04/21/2006, 07:51 AM

i believe it is the needle wheel that makes it so expensive.

cward · 04/21/2006, 08:25 AM

What I meant in my last post was that they put a premium price on the pumps so smaller companies would be deterred from using the pump. If the Gen-X had a little bit better casing it would be better than the Eheim.

hyperfocal · 04/21/2006, 10:52 AM

Yeah I understand that the needlewheel is the special modification, I just think that doubling the price of the pump because of it is... excessive.

cward · 04/21/2006, 11:37 AM

Me too.

cristhiam · 04/21/2006, 12:13 PM

what abou this one?
http://www.seaquestaquatic.com/catal...ath=45_119_122

hyperfocal · 04/21/2006, 12:55 PM

That's the one I have my eye on...

cward · 04/21/2006, 01:08 PM

It would depend on what size skimmer you are going to put it on, but I wouldn't go any smaller than the 2400.
Gen-X 2400

hyperfocal · 04/21/2006, 02:18 PM

2400 lph is what, like 625 gph? How much of throughput hit does the needlewheel give? I'm looking for something to bring my Red Sea Berlin into the 21st century -- think the 2400 is the way to go?

cward · 04/21/2006, 02:21 PM

The needle wheel impeller cuts the output down a lot, but I'm not sure how much exactly. I would give the 2400 a try.

neo1013 · 04/22/2006, 08:58 PM

so something like this would be good ? http://www.fishsupply.com/spksp-s9000.html

cward · 04/23/2006, 05:59 PM

That should be fine.

Beenalongtime79 · 04/23/2006, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cward
What I meant in my last post was that they put a premium price on the pumps so smaller companies would be deterred from using the pump. If the Gen-X had a little bit better casing it would be better than the Eheim.

That is a matter of opinion.

I think the Eheims/aquabees are about as good as it gets in terms of mass produced needlewheel pumps. Next in line are the OR pumps.... then the sedras, then the Gen-X pumps. Although, I know that hydor makes a NW pump as well that looks drastically different from any other NW pumps I've seen, but you can't get your hands on one here.

Hydors are just coming around here, but they have a pretty good rep elsewhere and I really hope they eventually bring their hydor NW pumps over. I think the pumps they make are on par with the eheims.

For custom NW pumps, you can get the same ones they use on BK skimmers or you can DIY your own NW if you've got a CNC and some extra time on your hand.

Peace,
John

04/20/2006, 12:06 PM	#1
neo1013 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Muskegon, Mi Posts: 586	needle wheel pumps? anyone have any recomendations on what knind of needle wheel pump would work good on a DIY skimmer? also where I might be able to buy one of these pumps. __________________ The Matrix Has You Current Tank Info: 125 Acrylic tank, full reef, 45g sump/fuge, Custom built recirc skimmer, dual 175w mh lights w/ atinic T5

04/20/2006, 12:10 PM	#2
Amphiprion Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 6,611	It all depends on your needs. I recommend the Eheims for the needlewheels. I believe you can get them from deltec, H&S, and other brands that I cannot recall at the moment. __________________ You've done it now, haven't you? Current Tank Info: 40g breeder patch reef w/ seagrass; 2-250w XM 10K; Vortech MP40wES & MP10wES; BM Curve 7 skimmer; carbon & occasional GFO

04/20/2006, 01:07 PM	#3
hyperfocal Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Edge of oblivion Posts: 1,708	Sedra, Gen-X and Ocean-Runner all sell needlewheel pumps. I'm looking to improve my Berlin skimmer, and am leaning towards the Gen-X pumps -- mostly because they seem to be the most economical, and still have a good reputation for reliability. I've looked for Eheim needlewheels, but haven't had any luck finding them for sale online. __________________ "Froth at the top, dregs at bottom, but the middle excellent." -- Voltaire Current Tank Info: getting back into the hobby

04/20/2006, 02:18 PM	#4
twon8 Formally registered membe Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: slightly sw of richmond, va Posts: 5,920	finsreef has the eheims, but they are $300 __________________ Anthony Richmond Reef Club "and as things fell apart, nobody paid much attention." Not building a wall but making a brick Current Tank Info: 300g DD display, 60g frag tank

04/20/2006, 05:31 PM	#5
hyperfocal Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Edge of oblivion Posts: 1,708	That's insane. I'll have to take your word for it, I can't find anything at that site. The search function doesn't work and the interface is terrible.. and it's incredibly slow too. I'll try the bioball mod to my Mag-5, if that fails I'll order a Gen-X. __________________ "Froth at the top, dregs at bottom, but the middle excellent." -- Voltaire Current Tank Info: getting back into the hobby

04/20/2006, 09:58 PM	#6
neo1013 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Muskegon, Mi Posts: 586	who sells the gen x needle wheels? right now I have a gen x pump running my closed loop and am very happy with it. __________________ The Matrix Has You Current Tank Info: 125 Acrylic tank, full reef, 45g sump/fuge, Custom built recirc skimmer, dual 175w mh lights w/ atinic T5

04/20/2006, 10:25 PM	#7
hyperfocal Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Edge of oblivion Posts: 1,708	Premium Aquatics has them, others too... __________________ "Froth at the top, dregs at bottom, but the middle excellent." -- Voltaire Current Tank Info: getting back into the hobby

04/21/2006, 12:47 AM	#8
twon8 Formally registered membe Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: slightly sw of richmond, va Posts: 5,920	http://www.finsreef.com/home.php?cat...ction=0&page=2 __________________ Anthony Richmond Reef Club "and as things fell apart, nobody paid much attention." Not building a wall but making a brick Current Tank Info: 300g DD display, 60g frag tank

04/21/2006, 04:13 AM	#9
mburnickas Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: MA Posts: 684	Is not this the same 1260 that MD has for like $180 less ??? __________________ Thanks Mike Current Tank Info: 75 gal; Tek T5 lights, reef tank with low to mod coral; wavemaker with maxjet ph; red sea ozone with orp at 350 (and going higher); Ev-120 protein skimmer; quiet one 3000 main pump

04/21/2006, 04:47 AM	#10
cward Premium Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Granville, Ohio Posts: 5,006	Yes, but supposedly they have "special modifications". __________________ ~~~Having a high post count doesn't automatically give you a high reefing IQ.~~~

04/21/2006, 05:23 AM	#11
mburnickas Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: MA Posts: 684	Do you happen to know what those might be? I only ask since this pumps seems to be the one many say is good for my aquac skimmer (120). But then I look around and there is a huge price delta here. __________________ Thanks Mike Current Tank Info: 75 gal; Tek T5 lights, reef tank with low to mod coral; wavemaker with maxjet ph; red sea ozone with orp at 350 (and going higher); Ev-120 protein skimmer; quiet one 3000 main pump

04/21/2006, 05:42 AM	#12
cward Premium Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Granville, Ohio Posts: 5,006	Other than the needle wheel, I'm not sure but it couldn't be much. The pump is priced out of the ballpark so the smaller skimmer builders don't buy them. __________________ ~~~Having a high post count doesn't automatically give you a high reefing IQ.~~~

04/21/2006, 07:49 AM	#13
hyperfocal Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Edge of oblivion Posts: 1,708	I hope the "special modification" includes having a $100 bill taped to the pump :-D __________________ "Froth at the top, dregs at bottom, but the middle excellent." -- Voltaire Current Tank Info: getting back into the hobby

04/21/2006, 07:51 AM	#14
twon8 Formally registered membe Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: slightly sw of richmond, va Posts: 5,920	i believe it is the needle wheel that makes it so expensive. __________________ Anthony Richmond Reef Club "and as things fell apart, nobody paid much attention." Not building a wall but making a brick Current Tank Info: 300g DD display, 60g frag tank

04/21/2006, 08:25 AM	#15
cward Premium Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Granville, Ohio Posts: 5,006	What I meant in my last post was that they put a premium price on the pumps so smaller companies would be deterred from using the pump. If the Gen-X had a little bit better casing it would be better than the Eheim. __________________ ~~~Having a high post count doesn't automatically give you a high reefing IQ.~~~

04/21/2006, 10:52 AM	#16
hyperfocal Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Edge of oblivion Posts: 1,708	Yeah I understand that the needlewheel is the special modification, I just think that doubling the price of the pump because of it is... excessive. __________________ "Froth at the top, dregs at bottom, but the middle excellent." -- Voltaire Current Tank Info: getting back into the hobby

04/21/2006, 11:37 AM	#17
cward Premium Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Granville, Ohio Posts: 5,006	Me too. __________________ ~~~Having a high post count doesn't automatically give you a high reefing IQ.~~~

04/21/2006, 12:13 PM	#18
cristhiam Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Groveland, FL Posts: 3,099	what abou this one? http://www.seaquestaquatic.com/catal...ath=45_119_122 __________________ 2 yellows tail damsels, yellow watchman goby, tail spot blennie, purple pseudocromis, starry blennie, 2 clowns, 1 black clown, mandarine & Yellow tang Current Tank Info: 125 AGA, 3 40W 6500K, 3 110W URI Actinics, running on 2 IceCaps 660, CSS125

04/21/2006, 12:55 PM	#19
hyperfocal Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Edge of oblivion Posts: 1,708	That's the one I have my eye on... __________________ "Froth at the top, dregs at bottom, but the middle excellent." -- Voltaire Current Tank Info: getting back into the hobby

04/21/2006, 01:08 PM	#20
cward Premium Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Granville, Ohio Posts: 5,006	It would depend on what size skimmer you are going to put it on, but I wouldn't go any smaller than the 2400. Gen-X 2400 __________________ ~~~Having a high post count doesn't automatically give you a high reefing IQ.~~~

04/21/2006, 02:18 PM	#21
hyperfocal Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Edge of oblivion Posts: 1,708	2400 lph is what, like 625 gph? How much of throughput hit does the needlewheel give? I'm looking for something to bring my Red Sea Berlin into the 21st century -- think the 2400 is the way to go? __________________ "Froth at the top, dregs at bottom, but the middle excellent." -- Voltaire Current Tank Info: getting back into the hobby

04/21/2006, 02:21 PM	#22
cward Premium Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Granville, Ohio Posts: 5,006	The needle wheel impeller cuts the output down a lot, but I'm not sure how much exactly. I would give the 2400 a try. __________________ ~~~Having a high post count doesn't automatically give you a high reefing IQ.~~~

04/22/2006, 08:58 PM	#23
neo1013 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Muskegon, Mi Posts: 586	so something like this would be good ? http://www.fishsupply.com/spksp-s9000.html __________________ The Matrix Has You Current Tank Info: 125 Acrylic tank, full reef, 45g sump/fuge, Custom built recirc skimmer, dual 175w mh lights w/ atinic T5

04/23/2006, 05:59 PM	#24
cward Premium Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Granville, Ohio Posts: 5,006	That should be fine. __________________ ~~~Having a high post count doesn't automatically give you a high reefing IQ.~~~