Iwaki pumps

[1fishkeeper]

I have been looking for a new return pump. My DC pump just crapped out on me and they are sending me a new one under warranty. But I have been thinking about getting a Iwaki pump to replace it. But I have a question about them. If you run one how happy have you been with it? How much noise does it put out? I am looking at the MD30RLXT it will be under the stand in the living room. Will it drive everyone nuts with it running?

[slief]

Iwaki's are arguably the most reliable aquarium pump out there. Period end of story.

I ran them for more than 15 years without so much as a hiccup. They are bullet proof and will last longer than most peoples tanks without any need for maintenance. I ended up changing to Reeflo pumps. Not because of reliability because a Reeflo will never be anywhere near the reliability of an Iwaki. instead it was because of power efficiency, heat transfer and noise level relative to GPH. Iwaki's tend to generate a fair amount of heat and consume what I consider to be a lot of power for the GPH. They are also slightly noisier in my experience than comparable pumps but there is no other pump that is as reliable as an Iwaki.

FWIW, I've run Iwaki MD40's, 55's, 70's and 100's. They are all bullet proof.

[muttley101]

In the same boat.. Im building a new system and dwelling putting on my Iwaki or run a DC.

Iwaki:

Pros: Reliable, lots of torque, did I mention reliable (some used for 10+ years)..

Cons: Power Hungry, Cost, louder than new DC pumps, no selectable speeds.. (and don't think about running it dry)

DC:

Pros: Efficient, cheap, selectable speeds, slow wind up, low heat, can dry run (but why)...

Cons: Slow wind up, low torque, reliability (example above), plastic housing..

I probably missed a few, maybe others can chime in.

[1fishkeeper]

Yeah my DC was dead quiet but it was less then a year old and died on me. I am looking for something that will last. I do have a new one on it's way from the warranty but just checking my options.

[slief]

Why on earth anybody would use a DC pump for a return pump is beyond me. There are plenty of efficient pumps out there that are more suitable for a return pump. The failure trends on DC pumps should be a very obvious red flag and a return pump failure is unacceptable. At least at the rate these DC pumps fail. It isn't if but rather when they are going to fail and most likely, the failure will come sooner rather than later.

If u want to experiment with a DC pump for circulation where reliability is as critical so be it but a return pump failure where the pump just up and dies is 1000000% UNACCEPTABLE! Penny wise pound foolish.

I've had salt water aquariums non stop since '87 and only had 1 return pump that up and died. That was a Quiet One pump. Funny but there are several members who own DC pumps that have had multiple pump failures. I can deal with a leaky seal on a Reeflo but a pump up and dying like these DC pumps do.. Unacceptable. Then again, the only way many people learn is from there mistakes.

Sorry to be blunt but it's the sad truth with all these DC pumps so far. They a cheap for a reason.. It's because they aren't really quality.

[jda]

I love Iwaki pumps. They are loud. I would not use on in the living room. I don't mind the heat since my heaters run quite a bit all year here in Colorado.

I would submerse a Mag Drive before I used another DC Pump - mine quit after 5 months, but thankfully I had a backup plan.

If you live in a spot that does not suffer from too much heat, then I would submerse a pump to keep it quiet. I have also been happy with Tunze pumps - they are pricey, but if you are considering Iwaki, then you are ready for it.

I only use external pumps in my basement since I like the silence. Then, I use Ampmaster since I have one running since 1999 and another since about 2006 with no issues at all.

[jda]

BTW - I consider a successful pump purchase to be at least 5 years... so take that to mind when you ready my posts.

[azjohnny]

The Iwaki pumps without a fan are more quiet ( 20 & 30 models), You might just want to go with a good submersible pump such as a Sicce or Laguna Max Flo. I have a Fluval Seas pump running my skimmer and it is silent

[super_steve85]

I've had my Iwaki 30 in use for 7+ years and they only thing I've done to it is pull a snail out of the intake. They do have a little bit of a hum to them (I've never had the ones with the cooling fan), but I run mine in my crawlspace now. When I had it in my stand it made less noise than my Reef Octo skimmer. As others have stated, you can't match the reliability of them. And why risk the $1000's in your tank for a $100 less (if that) on a pump?

[muttley101]

Looks like I may just eat the power and stick with my MD55... Any Reef Octopus Diablo DC pump users out there with any complaints. I think their pumps may have a better CS/warranty compared to the other Chinese counterparts. Wondering if quality control is better since they have to warranty it.

[jda]

I had one quit after 5 months. It was as advertised on wattage and flow. Coralvue was good about getting me a replacement. I don't trust it as a return pump anymore.

[ca1ore]

I'll echo the reliability of the Iwaki pumps. Ran one continuously from about 1988 until 2008 ..... nary a problem to be had in 20 years. Subsequently switched to PanWorld, just because, and have had almost 8 years out of that one so far.

[1fishkeeper]

I am pulling the trigger and ordering a new return pump. Yeah the DC has been really quiet like 0 noise and CoralVue has been great to work with and having them sending me a replacement. But the waiting game for a new pump is not making my tank look very good. Plus I can tell that everything in my sump has died off because the smell coming from it smells like pure death from no water movement in it. Tonight after work I will be draining my sump and getting it cleaned out. Getting it all ready for the new DC replacement pump. It will have to work until this Friday when I get paid to order a Iwaki. Then wait for it to get delivered and hooked up.

[ca1ore]

FWIW, if I were running a Chinese DC pump as my main, I'd keep a duplicate on hand. Very few things as critical as the main pump IME. Just about everything else can wait the two days it takes to get a replacement delivered (OK, maybe a spare heater too).

[alton]

I am going to rock the boat, I like Pan World. 50PXX is quiet and last? Just keep a screen in front of the intake. I use a 50PXX and a 40PX on my 300. Like someone else said the 40PX does not have a fan and is dead silent, the 50PXX is still fairly quiet even with a fan.

[foxrazr]

I ran an Iwaki MD-55RLT and I recently took it off line and replaced it with a laguna maxflo 1500. The Iwaki was not annoying it had a hum to it and I could tell my aquarium was on. I have my tank in my living room and had no issues watching tv or having people over. The Iwaki still looks new after 3 years of continuous use. By the way I had it in a manifold and it would power my chiller, 2 media reactors and return and I still had to throttle it down a bit. Reason that I changed it is because I like to tryout new things.

[muttley101]

Originally Posted by foxrazr

I ran an Iwaki MD-55RLT and I recently took it off line and replaced it with a laguna maxflo 1500. The Iwaki was not annoying it had a hum to it and I could tell my aquarium was on. I have my tank in my living room and had no issues watching tv or having people over. The Iwaki still looks new after 3 years of continuous use. By the way I had it in a manifold and it would power my chiller, 2 media reactors and return and I still had to throttle it down a bit. Reason that I changed it is because I like to tryout new things.

Awesome.. That's what I'm looking to run off my manifold as well for my 150.. Good to know! Thanks!

-Mutt

[mussel and hate]

I have an Iwaki WMD20 RLT. It's been in continuous service on my reef for over 20 years. I oil the bearings twice/year and that's all. It's not the quietest pump but this thing is bulletproof.

I've mounted my Iwaki with flexible hose and washers behind a pillow of Roxul safe&sound insulation beneath my elevated sump. I don't hear it at all.

IMO this is the highest quality pump available to the hobby. If your installation compensates for the motor noise you'll have no regrets.

[azjohnny]

Originally Posted by foxrazr

I ran an Iwaki MD-55RLT and I recently took it off line and replaced it with a laguna maxflo 1500. The Iwaki was not annoying it had a hum to it and I could tell my aquarium was on. I have my tank in my living room and had no issues watching tv or having people over. The Iwaki still looks new after 3 years of continuous use. By the way I had it in a manifold and it would power my chiller, 2 media reactors and return and I still had to throttle it down a bit. Reason that I changed it is because I like to tryout new things.

I run a Laguna 1500 on my 180. I have 2 and I change them out every 6 months, the pump that comes off I run in vinegar for about 12 hrs and have ready to be run.

Fluval Seas pumps are also Laguna and a very good pump I have a SP4 powering my skimmer

SP2- 950 gph
SP4- 1822 gph
SP6- 3434 gph

[coral49]

Originally Posted by mussel and hate

I have an Iwaki WMD20 RLT. It's been in continuous service on my reef for over 20 years. I oil the bearings twice/year and that's all. It's not the quietest pump but this thing is bulletproof.

I've mounted my Iwaki with flexible hose and washers behind a pillow of Roxul safe&sound insulation beneath my elevated sump. I don't hear it at all.

IMO this is the highest quality pump available to the hobby. If your installation compensates for the motor noise you'll have no regrets.

How did you oil the bearings? What type of oil? I have a Iwaki MD-55RLT for 3 years and have done nothing in terms of maintance.

This is my first external pump, I'll never go back. Years of replacing DC pumps after 1 year got very annoying. Best move i made going Iwaki

[stempy07]

I have an iwaki MD-70RLT I've had since around 1998 that I bought used and it still runs like a champ. Amazing pumps thought their energy usage and noise level is a tad high, but if energy usage was a concern we'd pick another hobby!

[coral49]

Originally Posted by stempy07

I have an iwaki MD-70RLT I've had since around 1998 that I bought used and it still runs like a champ. Amazing pumps thought their energy usage and noise level is a tad high, but if energy usage was a concern we'd pick another hobby!

Have you done any preventitive maintance on them?

[stempy07]

Haven't had to do anything, I would just clean it every couple years. Its gotten rusty over the years and certainly looks old but runs like a champ I've recently taken it offline and started using a reeflo for energy usage reasons but ill keep it as a backup because I know I can count on it if I need to.

[moondoggy4]

Sorry what size tank do you have? I have a Iwaki 30 as a backup on my 120 it moves a lot of water, way more than my Laguna 900.

If you do not have any circulation in your sump just throw in any small pump to move the water to keep it fresh.

[AcroporAddict]

I replaced my Reeflo HH hybrid with an Iwaki several months ago and love it. I had too many leaky seals from the Reeflo, and decided to go the set and forget route the Iwaki provides.