Pump Recommendations - Please

Indyws6 · 04/23/2008, 04:29 AM

Greetings

I have decided that I am going to re-plumb my system to utilize a single pump for the skimmer, return and a (future) calcium reactor (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1375088).

I am looking for suggestions and recommendations for suitable pumps. The basic requirements are as follows:

* External pump - does not need to be pressure rated
* The estimated max head loss for my system is less than 2 feet...
* 1900 GPH minimum - ~3000 GPH max
* Reasonable energy consumption (would like to stay below 160W running at 120V)
* Quiet (the quieter the better - it will be in my living room)
* Minimum heat transfer (no chiller on my tank)

The Reeflo Snapper looks to be a solid choice (2500 GPH max @ 100W - claims of quiet operation) but I would like to hear your recommendations for comparisons as well as real-world experience.

Thanks in advance...

pwhitby · 04/23/2008, 07:30 AM

I was going to suggest the snapper. It is a quiet pump. Not totally silent, but close enough to hide under a stand with no problems.

paul.

Indyws6 · 04/23/2008, 07:37 AM

Paul - Greetings...

Thanks for the comment.

From the specs it looks like a good choice (lots of flow, low energy consumption, etc.). I wish there was an accurate way to evaluate the noise level. I know that my current setup (CA2200 for the skimmer, Mag 9.5 for the return) creates a noticeable hum and uses more electricity than the Snapper. If the Snapper would prove to be quieter than my current configuration, there wouldn't be much reason to NOT switch.

I would still like to hear comments from others with suggestions. Anyone ???

Thanks in advance...

JRaquatics · 04/23/2008, 08:27 AM

I would go with a Sequence snapper. Reliable, energy efficient, cool running and alot more quiet than other external skimmers I have used and seen.

Indyws6 · 04/23/2008, 09:11 AM

JR - Thanks for the response...

The Snapper really seems to be a solid choice. I hate making a decision without benefit of comparison or recommendations, but I may have to in this case. I have gotten feedback that the Snapper is good, but only by a few people (thanks, folks!).

I haven't gotten any negative feedback, but I also haven't gotten any other suggestions.

Anybody?

P.S. Is that a French Bulldog???

JRaquatics · 04/23/2008, 09:48 AM

Boston Terrier

Indyws6 · 04/23/2008, 10:05 AM

Looks similar to a French Bulldog I saw at Uncle Bill's. I thought it was an awesome dog (even though I am not a "dog person") - until I saw the $1,800 price tag. Someone else took her home...

ccoral · 04/23/2008, 10:38 AM

snapper is ok just remmeber it is a flow pump and needs the proper intake and output to perform right 2" in and 2" or 1.5" out

Indyws6 · 04/23/2008, 10:49 AM

CCOral - Thanks for the response...

I would be able to accommodate a 2" inlet for the pump since I will need to drill the sump for this effort. The output could be plumbed to a 1 1/2" pipe that ultimately gets reduced based on the device it is supplying (return to tank, skimmer, calcium reactor, etc.). The information on the Reeflo website states that the output can be "valved down", so my assumption was that reducing the output pipe size as needed for the connected devices would not be a problem. It's essentially no different from a valve in that it is an impediment to flow...

Are you saying that my assumption is incorrect and that the pump will not operate well in that scenario? What has your experience shown?

Thanks in advance...

p4ck37p1mp · 04/23/2008, 11:02 AM

You can put a valve on the outlet side with no problems, my Snapper is running this way. With it wide open it stirs up the sand too much. =P

Indyws6 · 04/23/2008, 11:15 AM

p4ck37p1mp - Thanks...

I figured as much but the comment that ccoral made me want to ask to be certain.

Can you provide accurate dimensions for the Snapper? The dimensions shown on the Reeflo website leave a little to be dsired.

The best place for this pump would be behind my sump, but I'll need to make sure I have enough room for it and the plumbing elbow and bulkhead.

Thanks again for the help...

Indyws6 · 04/23/2008, 12:00 PM

All,
Thanks for your help and input - I just ordered a Snapper on-line (found a place that had a good price and free shipping - considering gas prices, that's a rarity...).

Worst case, if I don't like it (noise would be the only reason...), I can use it to pump water from my storage tank to the sump for the semi-automated water-change system I am building

Take Care

04/23/2008, 04:29 AM	#1
Indyws6 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Anderson, Indiana Posts: 211	Pump Recommendations - Please Greetings I have decided that I am going to re-plumb my system to utilize a single pump for the skimmer, return and a (future) calcium reactor (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1375088). I am looking for suggestions and recommendations for suitable pumps. The basic requirements are as follows: * External pump - does not need to be pressure rated * The estimated max head loss for my system is less than 2 feet... * 1900 GPH minimum - ~3000 GPH max * Reasonable energy consumption (would like to stay below 160W running at 120V) * Quiet (the quieter the better - it will be in my living room) * Minimum heat transfer (no chiller on my tank) The Reeflo Snapper looks to be a solid choice (2500 GPH max @ 100W - claims of quiet operation) but I would like to hear your recommendations for comparisons as well as real-world experience. Thanks in advance... __________________ "Scientology" - That's a lot of letters just to spell "Cult" Current Tank Info: Needs a refresh...

04/23/2008, 07:30 AM	#2
pwhitby Team RC Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 9,137	I was going to suggest the snapper. It is a quiet pump. Not totally silent, but close enough to hide under a stand with no problems. paul. __________________ Paul W Whitby Ph.D

04/23/2008, 07:37 AM	#3
Indyws6 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Anderson, Indiana Posts: 211	Paul - Greetings... Thanks for the comment. From the specs it looks like a good choice (lots of flow, low energy consumption, etc.). I wish there was an accurate way to evaluate the noise level. I know that my current setup (CA2200 for the skimmer, Mag 9.5 for the return) creates a noticeable hum and uses more electricity than the Snapper. If the Snapper would prove to be quieter than my current configuration, there wouldn't be much reason to NOT switch. I would still like to hear comments from others with suggestions. Anyone ??? Thanks in advance... __________________ "Scientology" - That's a lot of letters just to spell "Cult" Current Tank Info: Needs a refresh...

04/23/2008, 09:11 AM	#5
Indyws6 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Anderson, Indiana Posts: 211	JR - Thanks for the response... The Snapper really seems to be a solid choice. I hate making a decision without benefit of comparison or recommendations, but I may have to in this case. I have gotten feedback that the Snapper is good, but only by a few people (thanks, folks!). I haven't gotten any negative feedback, but I also haven't gotten any other suggestions. Anybody? P.S. Is that a French Bulldog??? __________________ "Scientology" - That's a lot of letters just to spell "Cult" Current Tank Info: Needs a refresh...

04/23/2008, 10:05 AM	#7
Indyws6 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Anderson, Indiana Posts: 211	Looks similar to a French Bulldog I saw at Uncle Bill's. I thought it was an awesome dog (even though I am not a "dog person") - until I saw the $1,800 price tag. Someone else took her home... __________________ "Scientology" - That's a lot of letters just to spell "Cult" Current Tank Info: Needs a refresh...

04/23/2008, 08:27 AM	#4
JRaquatics Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: On RC Posts: 3,609	I would go with a Sequence snapper. Reliable, energy efficient, cool running and alot more quiet than other external skimmers I have used and seen.

04/23/2008, 09:48 AM	#6
JRaquatics Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: On RC Posts: 3,609	Boston Terrier

04/23/2008, 10:38 AM	#8
ccoral Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 468	snapper is ok just remmeber it is a flow pump and needs the proper intake and output to perform right 2" in and 2" or 1.5" out

04/23/2008, 10:49 AM	#9
Indyws6 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Anderson, Indiana Posts: 211	CCOral - Thanks for the response... I would be able to accommodate a 2" inlet for the pump since I will need to drill the sump for this effort. The output could be plumbed to a 1 1/2" pipe that ultimately gets reduced based on the device it is supplying (return to tank, skimmer, calcium reactor, etc.). The information on the Reeflo website states that the output can be "valved down", so my assumption was that reducing the output pipe size as needed for the connected devices would not be a problem. It's essentially no different from a valve in that it is an impediment to flow... Are you saying that my assumption is incorrect and that the pump will not operate well in that scenario? What has your experience shown? Thanks in advance... __________________ "Scientology" - That's a lot of letters just to spell "Cult" Current Tank Info: Needs a refresh...

04/23/2008, 11:02 AM	#10
p4ck37p1mp Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 419	You can put a valve on the outlet side with no problems, my Snapper is running this way. With it wide open it stirs up the sand too much. =P __________________ -- "Unix is user friendly. However, it isn't idiot friendly." Current Tank Info: 90g reef, 100g sump, 40g fuge

04/23/2008, 11:15 AM	#11
Indyws6 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Anderson, Indiana Posts: 211	p4ck37p1mp - Thanks... I figured as much but the comment that ccoral made me want to ask to be certain. Can you provide accurate dimensions for the Snapper? The dimensions shown on the Reeflo website leave a little to be dsired. The best place for this pump would be behind my sump, but I'll need to make sure I have enough room for it and the plumbing elbow and bulkhead. Thanks again for the help... __________________ "Scientology" - That's a lot of letters just to spell "Cult" Current Tank Info: Needs a refresh...

04/23/2008, 12:00 PM	#12
Indyws6 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Anderson, Indiana Posts: 211	All, Thanks for your help and input - I just ordered a Snapper on-line (found a place that had a good price and free shipping - considering gas prices, that's a rarity...). Worst case, if I don't like it (noise would be the only reason...), I can use it to pump water from my storage tank to the sump for the semi-automated water-change system I am building Take Care __________________ "Scientology" - That's a lot of letters just to spell "Cult" Current Tank Info: Needs a refresh...