Return pump...

[RobG]

I know, this thread has probably been here a thousand times, but I need some help picking a return pump.

I have a AGA 90 tank, just got a lifereef overflow (Single -- 700 gph according to lifereef.com) and a custom built ~17gal acrylic sump.

I want to use an external pump mostly because of heat issues -- my tank runs a little hotter than I would like with dual 250 halides as is...

I was thinking about a Mag 950 gph return... Any thoughts or suggestions?

[Reefland]

I would recommend looking into Iwaki or Dolphin for good external pumps. A lot of people talk highly of the Amp Master from Dolphin. However as you mentioned, Mag's are good pumps too.

Just a few suggestions,
Scott Z.

[RobG]

Well, my primary concerns are noise, heat transfer, and reliability. The Ampmaster 3K is probably overkill for me -- it's 3600 GPH at 0 head... I only need about 1000...

[dattack]

Then consider the Gorman Rupp pumps which are fairly quiet and transfer little heat also.

[RobG]

I've never even heard of Gorman Rupp. I just took a look at their website to get some product info, but I can't find anywhere to buy them online. Got any links? Personal experience with them?

Rob

[dattack]

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...gory_Code=MAK4

http://www.championlighting.com/cgi-...=9917516.12166

[scubadude]

Im sure those Gormann pumps are great pumps, however the point that I think Scott (Reefland) was trying to make was that for the same price you can have a MUCH more effecient pump being the dolphin AM3K for virtually the same price, and there are manifolds that dolphin makes so you may be able to run one pump for all your applications, like your skimmer, your circulation, etc etc....and you can always throttle down the pump if need be. just a thought

[Reefland]

As Rocky mentioned, for the dollars you can have a pump that will peform multiple functions; return, extra circulation or even your skimmer.

Do you have any expereince with the Gormann pumps dattack? I've not heard much about them.

Scott Z.

[dattack]

One of the locals here have been running a GRI pump and he likes it very well. It's fairly quiet and doesn't add much heat but you guys are right in terms of selecting the ampmaster over the GRI. Same cost but more GPH with the ampmaster.

[scubadude]

Hey Im not knocking gorman pumps....I havent used them before, but I have heard very good comments on them. My buddy who is a plumber though has told me if you can get a more powerful pump for just the same price and less amperage draw then you are better off....he also said that as long as some water is going through the output that you can throttle the pump down as much as you want, so with that said im convinced that the AM3K is one of the most (if not the only) state of the art pumps out there.

[RobG]

OK, you guys convinced me: overkill or not, I believe in doing it right the first time. Knowing me I'll probably end up upgrading in the future if I don't get something good. (I started with PCs and now, surprise, have MH... don't want to waste the same money on this)

I'll buy the ampmaster ;)

Rob

[RobG]

One last quick ?: You mentioned throttling down the pump: Is that a feature of the pump itself or does that need to be done via a gate or ball valve in the plumbing?

Rob

[scubadude]

Originally posted by RobG
Is that a feature of the pump itself or does that need to be done via a gate or ball valve in the plumbing?

Rob

Its a feature that you will have to plumb yourself.
You will have to put a ball valve on the OUTPUT side of the pump....make sure you ONLY throttle down on the output side of the pump not the input. You can put a ball valve on the input side but NEVER restrict it when the pump is powered on! only when the pump is shut off can you use the input ball valve.

[rwag]

Robg,

Good choice to get the amp3k you will be very glad you did. I agree with everything scubadude has said about the pump and also they are virtually silent and no heat transfer! And if you ever wish to go with a larger tank in the future you shouldnt have to upgrade your pump.

Ryan

[RobG]

if you ever wish to go with a larger tank in the future

Someday I'll have thousands upon thousands of gallons of fish tanks... Just have to figure out how to convince the girlfriend that spending my life savings on fish is a good idea

[rwag]

I know what you mean, For some unknown reason they just dont understand!

[Elmo18]

RobG,

Well at least you don't have to go to Hawaii or the Caribbean, or the Red Sea to go vacationing. Just dive in your tanks. Let's see rountrip to Hawaii about 600ish or more.....and say you plan to do that...25 times.....umm yeah

-Elmo