Reeflo Snapper pump versus others ( need quiter)

jdthomas24 · 07/27/2010, 09:56 AM

Ok so i had an Eheim then went to an external Reeflo Snapper which for an external it is very quite. Problem is im looking for virtually silent operation due to where the tank is... So my question is --- Is the Red Dragon pumps the ones im looking for or are there others that are pretty much dead silent? I have room for another drop in or can go external like i am now. Kindas sucks since my Reeflo is 2 days old..

sjm817 · 07/27/2010, 11:12 AM

Dead silent external is the Poseidon or Velocity pumps. Dead silent is not exaggerating. You have to touch them to see if they are running. They dont come any larger than the 1200 GPH model.

jdthomas24 · 07/27/2010, 12:26 PM

i have one of those but never put it in because of the low GPH. just have it for an emergency backup. What about drop in pumps?

cobra9 · 07/27/2010, 02:49 PM

Red dragon, ATB flow star are both silent.

What size is your tank that 1200 is not enough from the sump?

jcolletteiii · 07/27/2010, 04:17 PM

I've heard that the new sicce syncra submersible pumps are completely silent. I've just ordered a new waterblaster 3000, also supposed to be incredibly quiet. It should be here tomorrow - can't wait! Will do a review on it in my build thread.

sjm817 · 07/27/2010, 04:38 PM

If you want a submersible, you can use an Askoll Laguna Max Flo. Its the same pump as a Red Dragon or ATB without the fancy volute and big price tag.

jdthomas24 · 07/27/2010, 08:21 PM

i run a 150DT with the pump split between the chiller and the UV light, the head pressure is what kills me. The reeflo snapper is to much flow so i have tuned it back some. So the askoll laguna max flo is the same thing... we are talking about dead silent?

sjm817 · 07/27/2010, 08:39 PM

The RD and ATB pumps use Askoll motors so the noise level will be ~ the same. Cost is substantially different. IMO, submersible pumps are never as good as externals for high head use. A Snapper with 17' max head with a 1.5" output I would consider a moderately high head pump. The flow drops off pretty fast actually. With smaller plumbing than 1.5", it will drop off even more. Have you ever tried that Poseidon pump? If the Snapper is too much, and is not all that great at high head, it may be worth a shot. Which model is it?

Snapper
Pressure GPH Watts
0' 2,300 98
2' 2,000 110
4' 1,650 119
7' 1,250 119
9' 960 110
13' 500 110
17' 150 105

jdthomas24 · 07/27/2010, 08:55 PM

its the T4 model and i have never used it on the tank. The reeflo is plenty powerful enough and actually to powerful and i had to use a ball valve to dial it down.

jdthomas24 · 07/27/2010, 09:03 PM

Im also unsure about head pressure. I have the return T'd with one side going into the UV light ( 40 watt Aqua) ( 3-90's with 3/4 inner flex pipe))and then to the tank, the other side goes to my JBJ 1/3 HP chiller then to the tank ( 3 90's with 3/4 inner flex pipe).

sjm817 · 07/27/2010, 09:06 PM

Since you have the pump, how hard would it be for you to connect it up? I think it is at least worth a shot. If nothing else you will get to see how quiet a pump can be.

jdthomas24 · 07/27/2010, 09:14 PM

i will have to go get some attachments and such but i see your point. I think its a 3/4 so i will try it out tomorrow and let everyone know how it is on performance and sound.

sjm817 · 07/27/2010, 09:26 PM

One thing I should also mention. I see you run a chiller. The Poseidon pumps are water cooled and will add heat to the system. Any submersible pump will also add heat to the system. The Snapper is an air cooled pump which adds minimal heat. There is the trade off. An air cooled pump needs air movement (fan) which make it more difficult to have a truly silent or very quiet pump.

Chris27 · 07/28/2010, 09:45 AM

If you put a little thought into the installation of the Reeflo, it will be just about dead silent. Putting it on a rubber mat, and using a small length of large ID flexible tubing will make it very quiet. Reeflo's are designed in such a way that you can throttle them down without causing damage, in fact I think they say that when you throttle them down, it actually makes the pump draw less juice. The pump is also plenty strong enough to supply other items like skimmers, media reactors, chillers, refugium, etc..

jdthomas24 · 07/28/2010, 02:20 PM

the only thing i really hear on the snapper is the hum form the motor. since its an external its hum is different sounding and not dead silent. one thing to point out is that is pretty dang quite but i was thinking on somethign that was pretty much on target for dead silent though. i just do not think the T$ will give me what i need for GPH to be honest. Im looking at the other choices like the ATB but it jumps from 1800 GPH to 3200 GPH...

sjm817 · 07/28/2010, 02:25 PM

The ability to throttle back a centrifugal pump without damage is not a unique feature to Reeflo. You can do that with any pump. Same with it using less power when throttled back. True of any pump. Oddly enough, if you look at the flow charts on Reeflo's site, none of the pumps are shown to use less power as flow decreases. Many of them go up.

How do you have that Snapper plumbed? Unless you are using large intake and output plumbing, the flow will be dramatically reduced. You say you are using a ball valve to cut it back further. How much are you *really* getting from it now? The T4 may not be as far off as you may think.

jdthomas24 · 07/28/2010, 09:04 PM

HMM, valid point -- i have it plumbed to a 1 1/2 inch T then one side is 3/4 and the other is 1 inch thought the chiller and UV, then they both go to 3/4 then to 1/2 inch for the return pipe.

sjm817 · 07/28/2010, 09:14 PM

It doesn't look...too terrible except for the 1/2". How much of that is there? I would get rid of that. Its hard to say how much head you have altogether but it is definitely pretty high. Again, you are looking for the quietest pump possible. You already own it. Try it and see. It it doesn't work out then you need to look for something else. You have nothing to lose.

FYI, I'm leaving tomorrow afternoon for a week and doubt I'll be checking RC (unless I change my mind and bring a laptop). Whatever you decide to do, best of luck with it!

jdthomas24 · 02/03/2012, 01:22 AM

im resurrecting my old thread!!! Same topic at hand. I dealt with it and was annoyed often so i went with the Baldor motor on the new Reeflo- other one went out. I was super excited that the Baldor motor would solve my humm issue. Guess what--- not!!! Still same old hum- flex tubing in and out of the pump. everything sitting on insulated foam board. I have done all i can do to make this thing not hum. It is wearing me out! I even checked voltage to make sure it was not to high or low making it hum more. Its at 123v so thats good. I still have the T$ and im really debating on going to HD tomorrow and getting all the fittings to put it in. Im just worried that thing will be quite as hell and i will not want to take it off considering it may not be enough for the tank. The vibration seems to be coming from the 1.5 inch T i have about 8 inches from the motor where the line splits, one to chiller-one to UV on seperate returns.The new pump of course is more powerful for some reason so one of my drains is noisy now. UGHHHH will it ever end!!

I just want an extremely quite setup. Thats not to much to ask is it?

Overgrown · 04/03/2013, 09:15 AM

JD, what's the latest on your Reeflo Gold?

07/27/2010, 09:56 AM	#1
jdthomas24 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Rockwall, Texas Posts: 852	Reeflo Snapper pump versus others ( need quiter) Ok so i had an Eheim then went to an external Reeflo Snapper which for an external it is very quite. Problem is im looking for virtually silent operation due to where the tank is... So my question is --- Is the Red Dragon pumps the ones im looking for or are there others that are pretty much dead silent? I have room for another drop in or can go external like i am now. Kindas sucks since my Reeflo is 2 days old..

07/27/2010, 11:12 AM	#2
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	Dead silent external is the Poseidon or Velocity pumps. Dead silent is not exaggerating. You have to touch them to see if they are running. They dont come any larger than the 1200 GPH model. __________________ - Scott

07/27/2010, 04:17 PM	#5
jcolletteiii Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: 58703 Posts: 1,265	I've heard that the new sicce syncra submersible pumps are completely silent. I've just ordered a new waterblaster 3000, also supposed to be incredibly quiet. It should be here tomorrow - can't wait! Will do a review on it in my build thread. __________________ T5-powered (ex-LED club member) SPS-dominant 50g. Cadlights CUBE. Current Tank Info: 16g biocube

07/27/2010, 04:38 PM	#6
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	If you want a submersible, you can use an Askoll Laguna Max Flo. Its the same pump as a Red Dragon or ATB without the fancy volute and big price tag. __________________ - Scott

07/27/2010, 08:39 PM	#8
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	The RD and ATB pumps use Askoll motors so the noise level will be ~ the same. Cost is substantially different. IMO, submersible pumps are never as good as externals for high head use. A Snapper with 17' max head with a 1.5" output I would consider a moderately high head pump. The flow drops off pretty fast actually. With smaller plumbing than 1.5", it will drop off even more. Have you ever tried that Poseidon pump? If the Snapper is too much, and is not all that great at high head, it may be worth a shot. Which model is it? Snapper Pressure GPH Watts 0' 2,300 98 2' 2,000 110 4' 1,650 119 7' 1,250 119 9' 960 110 13' 500 110 17' 150 105 __________________ - Scott

07/27/2010, 12:26 PM	#3
jdthomas24 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Rockwall, Texas Posts: 852	i have one of those but never put it in because of the low GPH. just have it for an emergency backup. What about drop in pumps?

07/27/2010, 02:49 PM	#4
cobra9 Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 700	Red dragon, ATB flow star are both silent. What size is your tank that 1200 is not enough from the sump?

07/27/2010, 08:21 PM	#7
jdthomas24 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Rockwall, Texas Posts: 852	i run a 150DT with the pump split between the chiller and the UV light, the head pressure is what kills me. The reeflo snapper is to much flow so i have tuned it back some. So the askoll laguna max flo is the same thing... we are talking about dead silent?

07/27/2010, 08:55 PM	#9
jdthomas24 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Rockwall, Texas Posts: 852	its the T4 model and i have never used it on the tank. The reeflo is plenty powerful enough and actually to powerful and i had to use a ball valve to dial it down.

07/27/2010, 09:03 PM	#10
jdthomas24 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Rockwall, Texas Posts: 852	Im also unsure about head pressure. I have the return T'd with one side going into the UV light ( 40 watt Aqua) ( 3-90's with 3/4 inner flex pipe))and then to the tank, the other side goes to my JBJ 1/3 HP chiller then to the tank ( 3 90's with 3/4 inner flex pipe).

07/27/2010, 09:06 PM	#11
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	Since you have the pump, how hard would it be for you to connect it up? I think it is at least worth a shot. If nothing else you will get to see how quiet a pump can be. __________________ - Scott

07/27/2010, 09:14 PM	#12
jdthomas24 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Rockwall, Texas Posts: 852	i will have to go get some attachments and such but i see your point. I think its a 3/4 so i will try it out tomorrow and let everyone know how it is on performance and sound.

07/27/2010, 09:26 PM	#13
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	One thing I should also mention. I see you run a chiller. The Poseidon pumps are water cooled and will add heat to the system. Any submersible pump will also add heat to the system. The Snapper is an air cooled pump which adds minimal heat. There is the trade off. An air cooled pump needs air movement (fan) which make it more difficult to have a truly silent or very quiet pump. __________________ - Scott

07/28/2010, 09:45 AM	#14
Chris27 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 4,452	If you put a little thought into the installation of the Reeflo, it will be just about dead silent. Putting it on a rubber mat, and using a small length of large ID flexible tubing will make it very quiet. Reeflo's are designed in such a way that you can throttle them down without causing damage, in fact I think they say that when you throttle them down, it actually makes the pump draw less juice. The pump is also plenty strong enough to supply other items like skimmers, media reactors, chillers, refugium, etc..

07/28/2010, 02:20 PM	#15
jdthomas24 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Rockwall, Texas Posts: 852	the only thing i really hear on the snapper is the hum form the motor. since its an external its hum is different sounding and not dead silent. one thing to point out is that is pretty dang quite but i was thinking on somethign that was pretty much on target for dead silent though. i just do not think the T$ will give me what i need for GPH to be honest. Im looking at the other choices like the ATB but it jumps from 1800 GPH to 3200 GPH...

07/28/2010, 02:25 PM	#16
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	The ability to throttle back a centrifugal pump without damage is not a unique feature to Reeflo. You can do that with any pump. Same with it using less power when throttled back. True of any pump. Oddly enough, if you look at the flow charts on Reeflo's site, none of the pumps are shown to use less power as flow decreases. Many of them go up. How do you have that Snapper plumbed? Unless you are using large intake and output plumbing, the flow will be dramatically reduced. You say you are using a ball valve to cut it back further. How much are you really getting from it now? The T4 may not be as far off as you may think. __________________ - Scott

07/28/2010, 09:04 PM	#17
jdthomas24 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Rockwall, Texas Posts: 852	HMM, valid point -- i have it plumbed to a 1 1/2 inch T then one side is 3/4 and the other is 1 inch thought the chiller and UV, then they both go to 3/4 then to 1/2 inch for the return pipe.

07/28/2010, 09:14 PM	#18
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	It doesn't look...too terrible except for the 1/2". How much of that is there? I would get rid of that. Its hard to say how much head you have altogether but it is definitely pretty high. Again, you are looking for the quietest pump possible. You already own it. Try it and see. It it doesn't work out then you need to look for something else. You have nothing to lose. FYI, I'm leaving tomorrow afternoon for a week and doubt I'll be checking RC (unless I change my mind and bring a laptop). Whatever you decide to do, best of luck with it! __________________ - Scott

02/03/2012, 01:22 AM	#19
jdthomas24 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Rockwall, Texas Posts: 852	im resurrecting my old thread!!! Same topic at hand. I dealt with it and was annoyed often so i went with the Baldor motor on the new Reeflo- other one went out. I was super excited that the Baldor motor would solve my humm issue. Guess what--- not!!! Still same old hum- flex tubing in and out of the pump. everything sitting on insulated foam board. I have done all i can do to make this thing not hum. It is wearing me out! I even checked voltage to make sure it was not to high or low making it hum more. Its at 123v so thats good. I still have the T$ and im really debating on going to HD tomorrow and getting all the fittings to put it in. Im just worried that thing will be quite as hell and i will not want to take it off considering it may not be enough for the tank. The vibration seems to be coming from the 1.5 inch T i have about 8 inches from the motor where the line splits, one to chiller-one to UV on seperate returns.The new pump of course is more powerful for some reason so one of my drains is noisy now. UGHHHH will it ever end!! I just want an extremely quite setup. Thats not to much to ask is it?

04/03/2013, 09:15 AM	#20
Overgrown Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 250	JD, what's the latest on your Reeflo Gold?

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