Are Red Dragon pumps quieter than eheim pumps

heyfredyourhat · 11/12/2007, 11:39 PM

I have an Eheim 1260 as a return which is pretty quiet except i get some resonance that i cannot for the life of me get rid of.

So i was wondering if red dragons are a better option as far as sound and vibrations go?? I know they are wicked expensive but i dont like the hum that the eheim has.

Fishbulb2 · 11/12/2007, 11:55 PM

I had thee same problem with my Eheim 1260. I traded it for a 1250 and put suction cups on the bottom. Problem solved. Do you have suction cups under your 1260? If not, give it a shot. If you ask me, these pumps should all come with some sort of vibration dampening cups or pads.
FB

heyfredyourhat · 11/12/2007, 11:57 PM

i havent tried that but i will, i just goobered the bottom of the pump with silicone, like an inch of it to make a nice cushion....

Actually when i grab the output pipe on it it vibrates like crazy...

hahnmeister · 11/12/2007, 11:59 PM

I dont know that Red Dragons are the best option here... they are 'high flow/low pressure' pumps for the most part... hooking one up as a return pump will kill its output. Are you using some sort of rubber padding/feet on your eheim to kill the noise?

I too have experienced the slight hum of the 1260... I ended up putting 1/4" airline hose through the holes in the base so the pump sits on nothing but my version of Asics Gel shoes. It killed any vibrations the pump produces outside of its own body. There is still a slight hum from the pump.

My suggestion would actually be to use dual eheim 1250's. Combined they will match the 1260 for flow, less wattage actually, and they are dead silent.

mavgi · 11/13/2007, 12:32 AM

The eheim quiet pump but have this hum sound ,if you want other pump you can go with the Hydor l40 the pump run very quiet not expensive rate 740gph .and if i am not wrong use 55 watt to . you can get this pump about $70.
i test this pump before and was very quiet .

ErikS · 11/13/2007, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mavgi
The eheim quiet pump but have this hum sound ,if you want other pump you can go with the Hydor l40 the pump run very quiet not expensive rate 740gph .and if i am not wrong use 55 watt to . you can get this pump about $70.
i test this pump before and was very quiet .

I'll second these pumps (if you can find one). They've been used in the comp water cooling for a long time with good results. I've used a L25 for various tasks = an excellent performer.

Since RD pumps are modified Laguna pumps - are the Laguna's quiet?

heyfredyourhat · 11/13/2007, 09:19 AM

i think i am going to try and suspend the pump or maybe add some vinyl tubing instead of hard pvc...

ErikS · 11/13/2007, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by heyfredyourhat
i think i am going to try and suspend the pump or maybe add some vinyl tubing instead of hard pvc...

Good plan - I have a 1262 that's silent. Sitting on a foam (mouse) pad & uses short length of vinyl tubing before transitioning to flex PVC.

fkshiu · 11/13/2007, 02:27 PM

I had an ever-so-subtle hum coming from my 1260 that drove me nuts until I figured out it was caused by the grey plastic intake shroud. It's completely unnecessary if you're running it externally. Dead silence after getting rid of the shroud.

hyperfocal · 11/13/2007, 02:30 PM

I put mine on a silicon potholder. Silent, and adds a festive blue accent to the sump.

hahnmeister · 11/13/2007, 02:45 PM

Lagunas are dead quiet, like the Red Dragons, but the problem is that they are not pressure pumps (not until you get into many thousands of gph), so they arent going to be the best choice.

jamesdawson · 11/13/2007, 02:52 PM

So, the Laguna 4200 is pressure rated?

James

hahnmeister · 11/13/2007, 03:07 PM

http://www.lagunaponds.com/lagunaeng...els.php?link=8

Look at the manuals yourself...
Its a relative term after all. The 4200 has a max head of 14' 9"... and you cen bet that on the way there, the flow will be cut down fast... thats how they manage to keep it at 160 watts after all, pretty similar to a ReefFlo Dart (just 15% bigger).

The 2900 has the same head rating, but its only 2900gph, and 100 watts. The 2000 and 2400 are both rated at 12' 2", and the 1500 is rated at 13' 5"

The skimmer pumps are rated at over 15' of head pressure... the 2150 and 2905

jamesdawson · 11/13/2007, 03:59 PM

O.K., thanks Jon. I see the skimmer pumps are best.

I'm looking to build a semi-fluidized self-cleaning zeo reactor so I need a very strong submersible pump at a reasonable price for the once a day flush.

I would love to use a very powerful DC pump (so I could have the option of adjusting flow rate) like the ones RD will be producing, but I could never afford even one of the AC (standard) RDs. Now that BK are patenting them it only means that they will be even more unaffordable to the average Joe.

James

hahnmeister · 11/13/2007, 04:57 PM

No, Klaus doesnt seek to make them more unaffordable by patenting them, just protecting himself from being copied this time around. He put alot into designing the RD2's, so he doesnt want anyone else to copy them (like China). Still, they will retail at pretty high prices, no doubt. Much more than you need.

There are other options besides a DC pump though. Although if you really wanted, DC pumps can be had for much less...
Linking to eBay auctions is not permitted

That one needs the cord sealed, but it would work.

CruzinKim · 11/13/2007, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hyperfocal
I put mine on a silicon potholder. Silent, and adds a festive blue accent to the sump.

A local vendor just suggested this, so I left the rubber feet on mine and then put the pump on top of a silicone potholder, worked like a charm. It seems that if you can get the vibrations away for the sump wall or bottom, the noise disappears completely. The sump amplifies the resonance.

Of course, I have an Eheim 1260 on my other tank and it doesn't make any noise, never did.

Fishbulb2 · 11/13/2007, 07:46 PM

Here are a few other tips you can try. First use a section vinyl tubing between the pump and the pvc if you are using pvc. I think this was suggested above. But make sure the vinyl tubing goes straight up and completely vertical. Don't let it pull on the pumps output to one side or the other. This eliminated all of the vibration that I felt when I grabbed on to the out bound tubing. If it was crooked and pulling on the pump, I got a lot of vibration. If it is going straight up and not pulling on the pump, no noise at all.
Hope that helps.

aninjaatemyshoe · 11/13/2007, 08:58 PM

There was a thread on the DIY Forum I think in which someone used the volute/impellar assembly of a Reeflo Barracuda, connected it to a Baldur pump motor, and used a variable frequency drive to create a variable speed pump. It was a very very cool DIY. A bit over my head in terms of electrical stuff. I think it ended up costing him in the neighborhood of $1000, but he mentioned that many of the components could have been purchased cheaper.

Here is the link:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1183020

jamesdawson · 11/13/2007, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by aninjaatemyshoe
There was a thread on the DIY Forum I think in which someone used the volute/impellar assembly of a Reeflo Barracuda, connected it to a Baldur pump motor, and used a variable frequency drive to create a variable speed pump. It was a very very cool DIY. A bit over my head in terms of electrical stuff. I think it ended up costing him in the neighborhood of $1000, but he mentioned that many of the components could have been purchased cheaper.

Here is the link:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1183020

WOW!

Hopefully someone or some company brings semi-affordable VFDs rigs out of the DIY category and into the comercially available category for reefing besides BK. I would love to move that much water on a big tank with only 80 watts.

What do you think Jon?

James

heyfredyourhat · 11/16/2007, 01:40 AM

problem pretty much solved so far, I had originally smeared silicon on the base with no luck...So today I smeared a bunch more on it and voila. Actually me and a buddy were trying to solve a skimmer issue and I asked him if he had shut the pump off, because I honesty could not hear it. I was right next to it as well, with the skimmer turned off....

Now it may be that the silicon is still a bit :"squishy" or it may just be that I finally have some good luck with this tank of mine!

11/12/2007, 11:39 PM	#1
heyfredyourhat Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: BC Canada Posts: 963	Are Red Dragon pumps quieter than eheim pumps I have an Eheim 1260 as a return which is pretty quiet except i get some resonance that i cannot for the life of me get rid of. So i was wondering if red dragons are a better option as far as sound and vibrations go?? I know they are wicked expensive but i dont like the hum that the eheim has.

11/12/2007, 11:55 PM	#2
Fishbulb2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 1,807	I had thee same problem with my Eheim 1260. I traded it for a 1250 and put suction cups on the bottom. Problem solved. Do you have suction cups under your 1260? If not, give it a shot. If you ask me, these pumps should all come with some sort of vibration dampening cups or pads. FB __________________ Just getting back in, but trying to do it right! Current Tank Info: 40 gallon tank. SPS, LPS, few softies

11/13/2007, 02:30 PM	#10
hyperfocal Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Edge of oblivion Posts: 1,708	I put mine on a silicon potholder. Silent, and adds a festive blue accent to the sump. __________________ "Froth at the top, dregs at bottom, but the middle excellent." -- Voltaire Current Tank Info: getting back into the hobby

11/13/2007, 02:52 PM	#12
jamesdawson Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: I AM THE SEA Posts: 1,303	So, the Laguna 4200 is pressure rated? James __________________ Old Reefers Never Die, they just...join the crew! Current Tank Info: I'm expanding my reach

11/13/2007, 03:59 PM	#14
jamesdawson Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: I AM THE SEA Posts: 1,303	O.K., thanks Jon. I see the skimmer pumps are best. I'm looking to build a semi-fluidized self-cleaning zeo reactor so I need a very strong submersible pump at a reasonable price for the once a day flush. I would love to use a very powerful DC pump (so I could have the option of adjusting flow rate) like the ones RD will be producing, but I could never afford even one of the AC (standard) RDs. Now that BK are patenting them it only means that they will be even more unaffordable to the average Joe. James __________________ Old Reefers Never Die, they just...join the crew! Current Tank Info: I'm expanding my reach

11/12/2007, 11:57 PM	#3
heyfredyourhat Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: BC Canada Posts: 963	i havent tried that but i will, i just goobered the bottom of the pump with silicone, like an inch of it to make a nice cushion.... Actually when i grab the output pipe on it it vibrates like crazy...

11/12/2007, 11:59 PM	#4
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	I dont know that Red Dragons are the best option here... they are 'high flow/low pressure' pumps for the most part... hooking one up as a return pump will kill its output. Are you using some sort of rubber padding/feet on your eheim to kill the noise? I too have experienced the slight hum of the 1260... I ended up putting 1/4" airline hose through the holes in the base so the pump sits on nothing but my version of Asics Gel shoes. It killed any vibrations the pump produces outside of its own body. There is still a slight hum from the pump. My suggestion would actually be to use dual eheim 1250's. Combined they will match the 1260 for flow, less wattage actually, and they are dead silent.

11/13/2007, 12:32 AM	#5
mavgi Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: queens n.y Posts: 2,209	The eheim quiet pump but have this hum sound ,if you want other pump you can go with the Hydor l40 the pump run very quiet not expensive rate 740gph .and if i am not wrong use 55 watt to . you can get this pump about $70. i test this pump before and was very quiet .

11/13/2007, 09:19 AM	#7
heyfredyourhat Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: BC Canada Posts: 963	i think i am going to try and suspend the pump or maybe add some vinyl tubing instead of hard pvc...

11/13/2007, 02:27 PM	#9
fkshiu Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Posts: 233	I had an ever-so-subtle hum coming from my 1260 that drove me nuts until I figured out it was caused by the grey plastic intake shroud. It's completely unnecessary if you're running it externally. Dead silence after getting rid of the shroud.

11/13/2007, 02:45 PM	#11
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	Lagunas are dead quiet, like the Red Dragons, but the problem is that they are not pressure pumps (not until you get into many thousands of gph), so they arent going to be the best choice.

11/13/2007, 03:07 PM	#13
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	http://www.lagunaponds.com/lagunaeng...els.php?link=8 Look at the manuals yourself... Its a relative term after all. The 4200 has a max head of 14' 9"... and you cen bet that on the way there, the flow will be cut down fast... thats how they manage to keep it at 160 watts after all, pretty similar to a ReefFlo Dart (just 15% bigger). The 2900 has the same head rating, but its only 2900gph, and 100 watts. The 2000 and 2400 are both rated at 12' 2", and the 1500 is rated at 13' 5" The skimmer pumps are rated at over 15' of head pressure... the 2150 and 2905

11/13/2007, 04:57 PM	#15
hahnmeister Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Brew City, WI Posts: 10,156	No, Klaus doesnt seek to make them more unaffordable by patenting them, just protecting himself from being copied this time around. He put alot into designing the RD2's, so he doesnt want anyone else to copy them (like China). Still, they will retail at pretty high prices, no doubt. Much more than you need. There are other options besides a DC pump though. Although if you really wanted, DC pumps can be had for much less... Linking to eBay auctions is not permitted That one needs the cord sealed, but it would work. Last edited by geo; 11/13/2007 at 07:44 PM.

11/13/2007, 07:46 PM	#17
Fishbulb2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bethesda, MD Posts: 1,807	Here are a few other tips you can try. First use a section vinyl tubing between the pump and the pvc if you are using pvc. I think this was suggested above. But make sure the vinyl tubing goes straight up and completely vertical. Don't let it pull on the pumps output to one side or the other. This eliminated all of the vibration that I felt when I grabbed on to the out bound tubing. If it was crooked and pulling on the pump, I got a lot of vibration. If it is going straight up and not pulling on the pump, no noise at all. Hope that helps. __________________ Just getting back in, but trying to do it right! Current Tank Info: 40 gallon tank. SPS, LPS, few softies

11/13/2007, 08:58 PM	#18
aninjaatemyshoe Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 2,333	There was a thread on the DIY Forum I think in which someone used the volute/impellar assembly of a Reeflo Barracuda, connected it to a Baldur pump motor, and used a variable frequency drive to create a variable speed pump. It was a very very cool DIY. A bit over my head in terms of electrical stuff. I think it ended up costing him in the neighborhood of $1000, but he mentioned that many of the components could have been purchased cheaper. Here is the link: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1183020 __________________ You are not brought upon this world to "get it"

11/16/2007, 01:40 AM	#20
heyfredyourhat Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: BC Canada Posts: 963	problem pretty much solved so far, I had originally smeared silicon on the base with no luck...So today I smeared a bunch more on it and voila. Actually me and a buddy were trying to solve a skimmer issue and I asked him if he had shut the pump off, because I honesty could not hear it. I was right next to it as well, with the skimmer turned off.... Now it may be that the silicon is still a bit :"squishy" or it may just be that I finally have some good luck with this tank of mine!