dolphin ampmaster 3000

[SeaSydney]

would it be possible to drive a bullet 2 skimmer efficiently with the above named pump and still have enough flow left over for the return for a 120 gal tank? I am trying to research how feasible it would be to use only one pump do both functions of sump return anddriving a skimmer such the bullet 2 skimmer.

If this pump is not a good choice, then please recomend a pump that would be able to handle both functions.

Thank you

 

[beerbaron]

imho - i prefer to use two seperate pumps, i know thats not the question, but its my reccomendation.
BB

 

[Anonymous]

Sure it would. How much flow do you want in the 120 and where is the pump going to live?

I second the idea of seperate pumps, just for redundancy reasons.

RR

 

[SeaSydney]

Thanks guys. It's just that I didn't wat to use two big pumps that would add alot of heat to my system. Here is the situation. I am thinking of setting up a 120 to house sps and clams. It will have a sand about 4". I want to go with 2 250 MH using the iwasaki 65k bulbs and 2 110 VHO attnics. I already have a bullet 2 kimmer. Here are my Questions:

1. will I be able to keep croceas and maxima clams on the sand and sps corals with this lighting setup?

2. I would like the quietest pumps possible to run the skimmer and for the return, what are my options?

3.My ambient room temp. is about 82, would a 1/5 hp chiller be overworked if I kept the tank at 80? I will have a sump that is about 20gal.

4. what other things should I be looking out for?

Thank you

 

[beerbaron]

just keep in mind that if its an external pump, it wont add any extra heat to the water. but if you have already wayed your options, thats ok too. just mo.

cant really give good advise on those others, someone else prob. can.
BB

 

[Palmetto]

FWIW, on a tank that size I would go with 400 watt MH instead of 250s, especially if you want to keep SPS and clams.

By the time you get your specimens under the 250s, you will wish you had used 400s.

 

[brokekyle]

your skimmer will work best with a pressure rated pump of atleast 1000GPH.. any other pump will under drive your skimmer and will be greatly affected by head pressure..there's no subsitute for horsepower

 

[SeaSydney]

Thank you guys. Can anyone comment on the chiller question? Any specific pump suggestion in terms of quietness and quality?
Thank you for all your help. I am really greatful for this board. It sure help me save time and MONEY :lol:

Mark

 

[max spl]

i have an ampmaster 300 running an Aqua C EV180 and two 3/4" returns. i would guess that i am only guess that i am only getting about 600gph from the two returns. the bullet 2 will need a lot more flow than an EV-180, so i would have to say that it will not be strong enough.

and external pumps do add heat to the water: certain pumps will add A LOT of heat to the water than others. ampmaster pumps is one of the best in terms of low heat transfer.

as for the clams, the derasa and squamosa clams would be fine on the sand, but the maxima and crocea clams will need to be much close to the light.

 

[Green Lantern]

I'll second or third that the ampmaster won't drive your skimmer and return. I have one on a closed loop but run my skimmer with another pump. They don't do well in pressure applications.

 

[SeaSydney]

Thanks again guys. One of my main concerns now is heat. I dont want to use 400 watt MH and cannot control my temp. With an ambient room temp of 82 and running 2 400watt MH and 2 110watt VHO attnics would a 1/5 hp chiller do adequately or would 250 MH be a better choice :?: Please help me on this part. Thank you

Mark 8)

 

[reefland]

Have you guys with an AmpMaster pump actually measued how many Amps it is using? The web sites selling them claim it uses 1.0 to 1.4 Amps. However, several people have told me this is BS and they actually draw around 2.4 Amps.

Can anyone else measure and confirm/deny this?

 

[Green Lantern]

Hi Rich, a friend and I measured my Ampmaster 3000 and came up with numbers close to double Dolphin's claims. I posted about it 3 or 4 months ago.

 

[suckair]

I have a 105g tank "basicly a tall 75" and use one ampmaster 3k for both the MTC HSA2000 skimmer and the tank return.. It does work well but it is not a SPS tank. If I were to make a real go at SPS on that system I would use another Ampmster and run two closed loop lines to 3/4" or 1" seaswirls.