best "cheap" pump for closed loop?...

[thebigblue]

short of buyin a dolphin ampmaster 3000 for $280...

whats a good (affordable) pump to run inline for a closed loop?...

i have a 125 gal reef and use a mag1800 now for circulation thru the sump...

i wanna add a CL that will have about 4' of head split twice to help with circulation...i have no powerheads in the tank...

thanks

brad

[balakoth]

I was gonna say with a smaller tank you could have gone with a Mag 7 or Mag9 I suppose, but I think your outta luck on the cheaper factor there buddy Save up for the Amp Master IMO. I heard you can't go wrong with those babies. (Well thats not true you can go wrong with everything, but you know what I mean


- Joe

[Reedman]

I forget the saying exactly, but...
Pay me now or pay me later.

Point being that you either go cheap now and upgrade later paying more in total. Or pay up front now and relax for the rest of the time knowing you have a quality product.

My 2 cents worth.

-Reed

[reefcam]

Have you tried going to your pool supply shop and ask them how much for a same rated pump. The large Dolphin pumps are low flow pool pumps. They are high flow rate to us reefers, but low to the pool folks. I bought a low flow pump that has similar flow rate as the Dolphin 2700 for half the price. The wet end makes a difference, but the manufacturer should be able to tell you what the flow rate is. The Dolphin AMP Master 3000 is a 1/15hp running 1725 RPM. This is just a circulation pump, not pressure rated.

[thebigblue]

i know, i know...

i was just hopin i had missed a killer little kick @ss pump out there that cost $100 and was a real water mover!...

like one of my buddies always says..."it only costs 80% more to go first class..."

thanks

brad

[Minnreefer]

I have been wondering the same question. I think that I am going to go with a Mag 12 or 2 on our 135

HTH

Jon

[thebigblue]

i have heard that when you run the mags inline that there can be some noise or vibration issues?...

that and i know that they say they add some heat to the water when used submerged...not sure if they do when run externally?...

MINNREEFER,

if your goin for a couple mag12s ($180) maybe you should make the move up to the ampmaster 3000...??

[thebigblue]

good point from another post...

"the reason the am3k is so popular is not only does it provide a ton of water movement silently, it only uses 1.3 amps at full load.

you buy an iwaki pump that moves near as much and your running at 6+ amps."

[opihi]

what is the wattage for the ampmaster pumps? or volts, and i can do the conversion myself.

can anyone recommend an affordable return pump with a really good GPH/WPH operating cost. i'll be setting up a tank in 100 g tank in december. it'll be on a 36" stand, so it'll have approx. 56" of head pressure.

operating cost is a huge issue for me, because i'm in CA, and my upgrade budget also includes an ER CS8-1 and additional 2 HQI setups.

thanks,
jeff

[MROK12]

This is a closed loop with a mag 18

[MROK12]

I know nice duct tape!!!!! But it works!

[thebigblue]

mrok

yea, ive seen your handy work before...very cool...

my only problem is that i have to take off my canopy ALL the time to get in the tank...

any ideas on how i could do that?...

im sure you get the most head out of that pump your way...

do you have any vibration or noise problems in your hood?...

brad

[Etech]

MROK12 Don't you have any problems gettin the pump charged?

[Minnreefer]

A few reasons why I might use 2 Mag pumps.

1. I have an extra laying around
2. I may have one at each end and sortof do a tidal thing maybe.

I might have one come on in the morning and then they would both be on for a while during the day then the other one on at night. Just an idea.

Jon

[Emprr_Angl]

in my experience, heheheh.......

"Buy Cheap.......Buy Twice"