Buying the Right Pump

[Steve H.]

I am considering using a single Ampmaster 3000 as a return and skimmer pump, and I was wondering if many folks are doing this and if you're happy with this setup. My original plan was to run a AM3000 on the closed loop, a Mak4 as a return, and another Mak4 running a PM Bullet 2 skimmer. Well, I fired up the Mak4 for the first time tonight and it is entirely too loud. Having two of those going in the living room isn't going to work.

The tank is a 155 bow with a 40g sump. I expect the closed loop will provide plenty of flow, so I'm not as concerned about the sump return flow. Other pumps I'm looking at are the Blueline pumps, Iwaki pumps, and GRI pumps. I haven't found much user feedback on the Blueline pumps, and a couple of Iwaki pumps are going to cost twice what another AM3000 will cost and I'm not sure about the noise level with those. One thing I do wonder about with using the AM3000 is my sump is already drilled with 1" bulkheads. I know Dolphin says to use 1.5" bulkheads to get the max gph out of the pump. Maybe a GRI 518 on the skimmer and a Mag pump on the return would work good. What to do ... any input would really be appreciated.

[PerryinCA]

I think the only issue you might want to consider with teh AM3000 on the skimmer is the pressure. The AM moves a ton of water, but isn't a pump that deals out the PSI. You may get better performance with something that has a higher Head rating.

Take this with a grain of salt though, I've never owned a AM. Just speaking from what I have heard.

-Perry

[Steve H.]

Thanks for the reply. The GRI 520 is looking good to me right now. It's rated at 1,520gph @ 6 feet. That's a lot more than I need for the skimmer and I'm wondering if I might be able to split that to the returns.

[Steve H.]

Well, I haven't gotten much of a response on this post no matter where I post it. I ordered one of the Blueline pumps tonight for the skimmer. If it lives up to the claim Champion Lighting makes then I'll order another for the return. Otherwise, guess I'll just keep buying pumps until I find something that works for me.