External pump suggestions

Tony44 · 04/25/2009, 03:42 PM

I will be needing an external pump for my 300 gallon. I want something that is fairly quiet, very low heat exchange, and fairly efficient. I will need something pumps between 1,500-2,500 GPH.

I have a spare Gen-X PCX100, it pumps a lot of water but its pretty loud.

Here is a link to it: Gen-X

I can get a used Iwaki MD100RLT Japanese motor from someone local, here is that pump: Iwaki

I hear great things about the Iwaki's, I hear they are silent and efficent. The website does not list how many watts it draws, but the person selling it says the box said it pulls 380 watts, which seems like a lot.

I also found this: Reeflo

This pumps only draws 98 watts and pumps 2,500 GPH. This pump seems to good to be true. Are these Reeflo pumps any good? Or should I go with something like the Iwaki? Any other suggestions?

Tony44 · 04/25/2009, 08:21 PM

Anyone?

Marc · 04/25/2009, 08:47 PM

Reeflo pumps are excellent pumps but have their drawbacks. The number one is they often have leaky seals that need to be replaced now and then. Also the reeflo pumps are very low wattage because they are not pressure rated pumps. They are only used for curculation only. The Pan Worlds are great quality pumps but they run at 300 watts for 2000 gph.

Marc

mflamb · 04/25/2009, 08:50 PM

I have used 5 different Reeflo pumps on my reef tanks, and have never had one leak. They are very quiet and dependable pumps with low watt draw.
I have a Reeflo Dart and a Reeflo Orca on my 300.

Tony44 · 04/25/2009, 11:16 PM

Mflamb do you have an Orca 200, or the 250? I will be putting my 200 on my 300 gallon.

So basically with Reeflo I would only use one of their pumps for a closed loop, not as a return pump?

Tony44 · 04/26/2009, 10:19 AM

So any other suggestions for a fairly silent, and efficient pump?

billdogg · 04/26/2009, 10:52 AM

i use darts for both return and closed loop. you can't hear them running at all. very happy with them

Jeff · 04/26/2009, 01:01 PM

Sequence Hammerhead Gold. Extremely efficient and almost silent. 5500 gph if I remember correctly. I run a regular Hammerhead and am considering upgrading. If I was setting up a new 300 gallon tank, I would use 2 seperate closed loops running 2 Super Dart Gold's. Reduntency has it's advantages and they are all but silent.

Tony44 · 04/26/2009, 01:14 PM

The problem is that I do not need a pump that is going to push 5,500 GPH. My overflows would not be able to keep up with that. Also, I am not doing a closed loop on this system.

sjm817 · 04/26/2009, 01:17 PM

How about the Reeflo Tarpon?

das75 · 04/26/2009, 07:07 PM

I had a Iwaki MD70RLT as a basement return and have converted since to a Reeflo Barracuda. Would say from the noise level (Iwaki was louder) neither would be suitable to have directly below the display or at least in the same room.

Have a Dart on a CL (directly below tank) and it's rather quiet and do know people who use them as returns.

Never had or heard the Gen-X so can't comment.

GW81 · 04/27/2009, 08:30 AM

I have a panworld 100px-x on my 125gal and it's pretty quiet. Not sure if you're looking for something more powerful though

jlt23 · 04/27/2009, 08:54 AM

How about ATB? I'm going to try one on my upgrade.

04/25/2009, 03:42 PM	#1
Tony44 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lantana, FL Posts: 778	External pump suggestions I will be needing an external pump for my 300 gallon. I want something that is fairly quiet, very low heat exchange, and fairly efficient. I will need something pumps between 1,500-2,500 GPH. I have a spare Gen-X PCX100, it pumps a lot of water but its pretty loud. Here is a link to it: Gen-X I can get a used Iwaki MD100RLT Japanese motor from someone local, here is that pump: Iwaki I hear great things about the Iwaki's, I hear they are silent and efficent. The website does not list how many watts it draws, but the person selling it says the box said it pulls 380 watts, which seems like a lot. I also found this: Reeflo This pumps only draws 98 watts and pumps 2,500 GPH. This pump seems to good to be true. Are these Reeflo pumps any good? Or should I go with something like the Iwaki? Any other suggestions?

04/25/2009, 08:50 PM	#4
mflamb Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Pasadena, Texas Posts: 8,422	I have used 5 different Reeflo pumps on my reef tanks, and have never had one leak. They are very quiet and dependable pumps with low watt draw. I have a Reeflo Dart and a Reeflo Orca on my 300. __________________ Click on my red house to see my 390 and 300 build thread. Those are my last 2 tanks in Tampa. Now in Pasadena waiting to buy a house to set up my next tank....anemones and clowns...probably a 3x3 150 gallon.

04/26/2009, 10:52 AM	#7
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	i use darts for both return and closed loop. you can't hear them running at all. very happy with them __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

04/26/2009, 01:01 PM	#8
Jeff Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 11,907	Sequence Hammerhead Gold. Extremely efficient and almost silent. 5500 gph if I remember correctly. I run a regular Hammerhead and am considering upgrading. If I was setting up a new 300 gallon tank, I would use 2 seperate closed loops running 2 Super Dart Gold's. Reduntency has it's advantages and they are all but silent. __________________ 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

04/26/2009, 01:17 PM	#10
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	How about the Reeflo Tarpon? __________________ - Scott

04/25/2009, 08:21 PM	#2
Tony44 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lantana, FL Posts: 778	Anyone?

04/25/2009, 08:47 PM	#3
Marc Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Colorado Posts: 572	Reeflo pumps are excellent pumps but have their drawbacks. The number one is they often have leaky seals that need to be replaced now and then. Also the reeflo pumps are very low wattage because they are not pressure rated pumps. They are only used for curculation only. The Pan Worlds are great quality pumps but they run at 300 watts for 2000 gph. Marc

04/25/2009, 11:16 PM	#5
Tony44 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lantana, FL Posts: 778	Mflamb do you have an Orca 200, or the 250? I will be putting my 200 on my 300 gallon. So basically with Reeflo I would only use one of their pumps for a closed loop, not as a return pump?

04/26/2009, 10:19 AM	#6
Tony44 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lantana, FL Posts: 778	So any other suggestions for a fairly silent, and efficient pump?

04/26/2009, 01:14 PM	#9
Tony44 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Lantana, FL Posts: 778	The problem is that I do not need a pump that is going to push 5,500 GPH. My overflows would not be able to keep up with that. Also, I am not doing a closed loop on this system.

04/26/2009, 07:07 PM	#11
das75 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmonton AB Posts: 2,269	I had a Iwaki MD70RLT as a basement return and have converted since to a Reeflo Barracuda. Would say from the noise level (Iwaki was louder) neither would be suitable to have directly below the display or at least in the same room. Have a Dart on a CL (directly below tank) and it's rather quiet and do know people who use them as returns. Never had or heard the Gen-X so can't comment.

04/27/2009, 08:30 AM	#12
GW81 Moved On Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 79	I have a panworld 100px-x on my 125gal and it's pretty quiet. Not sure if you're looking for something more powerful though

04/27/2009, 08:54 AM	#13
jlt23 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Tustin, CA Posts: 712	How about ATB? I'm going to try one on my upgrade.