iwaki worth the price?

[crimsoncoral]

I've searched and read posts on multiple BBS's and can't decide if it's worth the price to buy an iwaki. Basically I've calculated I need the 100RLT (can do 2000GPH) for a standard Oceanic 180 RR setup. I see them selling for $400 and this just seems too steep. Are these worth the price?

[wastedincome420]

Hello Crimsoncoral,
I too asked about the Iwaki pump.
You ought to read a thread I started about this "Will this pump work for a closed loop"
Heres what I found out A: Iwaki pumps will help keep your electric meter spinning nice and fast B: They are NOT the quitest pump either.
If looking for the best pump I would say go with the Ampmaster3000. It has MORE GPH (3000) and uses less then then half the amps. Also if you shop around you can find the Am3000 for bout $270. I have talked to alot of people that have and LOVE the Ampmaster. They also say that it is VERY quite.
Hope this helps.
Mark

[crimsoncoral]

Thanks. I have looked into the AM3000, however, I've calculated that the GPH is too high for my Oceanic. Unless there is a good way of throttling it...can't beat that price.

[Ironreef]

You can tune back the ampmaster alot or reduce flow with 1"pipe= loses pressure. But if you need alot of head or have alot of backpressure Iwaki would be better imo but it is loud. For circulation I would go with the amp. The make smaller ones =2100-2700

[wastedincome420]

Too much GPH!?! No such thing
Yes you can easily throttle it back by using a ball valve on the return side. This pump is made to handle it too. Also remember that every fitting(elbow,tee,etc) will add head. So if your pump is 4ft below the top of tank and you use a couple of elbows that 6ft of head already. Plus this pump can be plumbed using 1" instead of 1 1/2". If you use 1" that will cut the flow back by 40%.
I have a Oceanic 105g tank that I will be using an AM3000 with;) and I'm still working on the the plumbing setup to get the MOST out of the pump.

[organicreefer]

with an ampmaster i fell its good to over do it a little ,because they can be throttled back to almost no flow with no harm done to the pump.this allows you ,well it allows me to simulate storm every couple few weeks,i let her rip especially a day or two be fore a water change,so the detritus can get kicked up and hopefully settle in the sump(hmm maybe throttling back the return pump during this process is a good idea too hhhmmm........).but this thread isnt about the ampmaster;)

i had iwaki's,those are some powerful pumps
but the 100 youre looking at is 350 watts
24/7
no thanks
get an ampmaster for circulation/and or return.............and get a smaller dedicated pressure rated(hey that rhymes (pump if you require one for a skimmer.my.02

[Ironreef]

there is such a thing as to much circ. if you use a close loop maybe not but if the post isn't the ampmast can over flow his tank if the overflows aren't big enough. Not all corals need alot of current either. sps tank can use alot but a softie tankor lsp can be blown away. So there can be to much circulation depending on what you keep. The amp master can be backed of quite a bit and can be reduced to a mere 1200gphj is you use 1" pipe on the out take. i would figure how much you need then go from there. But I see you have a 180g the ampmaster you probally want to use 1 1/2'' plumbing to get full use of the pump.

[wastedincome420]

Well I guess I stand corrected;)
Listen to Ironreef, I'm sur he knows more then me. I guess it does really matter what you plan to keep for corals.
Sorry for giving "false" information
Only trying to help

[Ironreef]

No it wasn't false info a 100g tank would need 400x turnover to mimic a reef but that would be over kill.(article per Ron S) i agree with alot of turn over just if you only keep softies it can be blown all over. Seems sps can handle as much as you can give. Most all new ampmaster owners get excited when they hook up there pump. I've seen many of these in action nice pumps. I don't have one but use 2 1200ghp pumps which make more noise and use more power but i will use an ampmaster in my next tank probally 2. But I have alot of honey does before my new tank probally 4-5yrs worth but at least my house will look nice

[crimsoncoral]

Thanks for all the help. As I stated, my only reason for not wanting the AM is the Oceanic overflows can't handle the gph. You all have verified that I can safely throttle it by either using 1" PVC, increasing head or using valves. As far as the smaller AM's(i.e. 2100...aren't they refered to as Dolphins?) I've read horrible things about them on various BBS's.

[Ironreef]

http://www.dolphinpumps.com/newpage1.htm they are the same as the amp3000 . what can your overflows handle? I would use the amp master 3000 its easy to tune down but if you need to increase it would be hard to do with a smaller pump. 1" tube will give you 1200gph @4' a 1" with a y will give you 1800@4' a 1 1/2 the reduces to 1" won't give you 3000g dunno how much matters on the distance of 1" but you can easily back off the pump. they have a 10yr warrenty and if your not sure get the smaller amp master2700 2100 but get the ampmaster they all aren't masters