Reef Flow Dart Longevity

Mike Murphy · 07/21/2008, 02:08 PM

My 125 is now operational and ready for saltwater after the initial wet test and minor plumbing leaks & mods. I designed a backup pump in the event the Dart went down so that all would be necessary is pluging in and opening a valve or two. This would be on a limp mode as the skimmer would not be operational as the Dart serves both duties for circulation and skimming.

This is my first experience with a Reef Flow Dart but would be interested in hearing how others have utilized this pump and the dependability. I do not relish the thought of changing it as the skimmer/sump would need to be removed from their location to access the pump.

I'm hoping 3-5 years at least before any problems or longer. Is this realistic?

TacoKing · 07/21/2008, 02:12 PM

Standard Dart.... I'd say no. They are made with an A.O Smith motor that's pretty crappy in my opinion. I think the new "Gold Dart" is made with the Baldor motor which should last a lot longer.

When plumbing make sure to put in enough unions and ball valves so it's easy to remove.

rpeeples · 07/21/2008, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TacoKing
Standard Dart.... I'd say no. They are made with an A.O Smith motor that's pretty crappy in my opinion. I think the new "Gold Dart" is made with the Baldor motor which should last a lot longer.

When plumbing make sure to put in enough unions and ball valves so it's easy to remove.

I agree. I have been through 4 A&O darts in 1.5 years and now have two gold darts (baldor) online. Time will tell but these pumps seem to run cooler and with minimal noise. The problem with A&O motors were the bearings within the motor. Hopefully the Baldor will run much longer...fingers are crossed.

Ditto to the plumbing suggestion as well.

JRaquatics · 07/21/2008, 02:27 PM

They are no longer using the AO smith motor only the Baldor. The AO Smith motor they had on the Darts were lousy, loud and ran hot. The new darts (gold) run smooth, cool and extremely silent. + Baldors are great motors IMO. I have three darts. The main system pump is a baldor dart the one on my skimmer is an AO smith and their is a night and day difference between the two. My back up (which the seals went out is also a AO smith). I would say if your dart has a Baldor motor your as good as golden when it comes to dependability. I can't say the same for the AO smith line of Darts though.

billdogg · 07/21/2008, 02:54 PM

geat - i have a dart ready to go on my new setup - almost ready for water - how do i tell which one it is?

JRaquatics · 07/21/2008, 02:56 PM

It says on the motor housing.

46bfinGA · 07/21/2008, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by billdogg
geat - i have a dart ready to go on my new setup - almost ready for water - how do i tell which one it is?

The Name Tag on the Pump will say which Manuf. the motor is.

46bfinGA · 07/21/2008, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JRaquatics
They are no longer using the AO smith motor only the Baldor.

Did not know this. So what are they using on the regular Dart's?

Mike Murphy · 07/21/2008, 02:59 PM

I just bought this about 60 days ago...if I remember it has the Baldor. I HOPE!

JRaquatics · 07/21/2008, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 46bfinGA
Did not know this. So what are they using on the regular Dart's?

From what I understand it is the baldor mortor on the regular darts now labels as golds. I think they also have another baldor dart called the super dart gold which has more gph and higher wattage. They are described here.

http://reeflopumps.com/productovervi...=1208787751521

46bfinGA · 07/21/2008, 03:44 PM

The Gold pumps are an "upgrade" from the standard Dart right? Atleast that was my understanding. I was unaware that they did away completely with the AO Smith Motors on the Dart's???? I'll give them a call and find out.

46bfinGA · 07/21/2008, 03:49 PM

Ok I called them and they are "phasing" the AO's out of production this year. Very Interesting, I may swap my AO out for a new one.

koa79 · 07/21/2008, 04:45 PM

I still think the AO dart have a 2 year replacement on them..

07/21/2008, 02:08 PM	#1
Mike Murphy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Greencastle, Indiana Posts: 258	Reef Flow Dart Longevity My 125 is now operational and ready for saltwater after the initial wet test and minor plumbing leaks & mods. I designed a backup pump in the event the Dart went down so that all would be necessary is pluging in and opening a valve or two. This would be on a limp mode as the skimmer would not be operational as the Dart serves both duties for circulation and skimming. This is my first experience with a Reef Flow Dart but would be interested in hearing how others have utilized this pump and the dependability. I do not relish the thought of changing it as the skimmer/sump would need to be removed from their location to access the pump. I'm hoping 3-5 years at least before any problems or longer. Is this realistic?

07/21/2008, 02:54 PM	#5
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	geat - i have a dart ready to go on my new setup - almost ready for water - how do i tell which one it is? __________________ 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

07/21/2008, 02:12 PM	#2
TacoKing Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 2,051	Standard Dart.... I'd say no. They are made with an A.O Smith motor that's pretty crappy in my opinion. I think the new "Gold Dart" is made with the Baldor motor which should last a lot longer. When plumbing make sure to put in enough unions and ball valves so it's easy to remove.

07/21/2008, 02:27 PM	#4
JRaquatics Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: On RC Posts: 3,609	They are no longer using the AO smith motor only the Baldor. The AO Smith motor they had on the Darts were lousy, loud and ran hot. The new darts (gold) run smooth, cool and extremely silent. + Baldors are great motors IMO. I have three darts. The main system pump is a baldor dart the one on my skimmer is an AO smith and their is a night and day difference between the two. My back up (which the seals went out is also a AO smith). I would say if your dart has a Baldor motor your as good as golden when it comes to dependability. I can't say the same for the AO smith line of Darts though.

07/21/2008, 02:56 PM	#6
JRaquatics Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: On RC Posts: 3,609	It says on the motor housing.

07/21/2008, 02:59 PM	#9
Mike Murphy Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Greencastle, Indiana Posts: 258	I just bought this about 60 days ago...if I remember it has the Baldor. I HOPE!

07/21/2008, 03:44 PM	#11
46bfinGA Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ball Ground, Ga. Posts: 1,333	The Gold pumps are an "upgrade" from the standard Dart right? Atleast that was my understanding. I was unaware that they did away completely with the AO Smith Motors on the Dart's???? I'll give them a call and find out.

07/21/2008, 03:49 PM	#12
46bfinGA Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ball Ground, Ga. Posts: 1,333	Ok I called them and they are "phasing" the AO's out of production this year. Very Interesting, I may swap my AO out for a new one.

07/21/2008, 04:45 PM	#13
koa79 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: KY Posts: 69	I still think the AO dart have a 2 year replacement on them..