pwr head return pump suggestions

[Bojangles]

Hi all,

I just wanted to see who loved what pump and could suggest a return pump and some circulation pumps for my 200g.

Currently I have a 200g all glass and I need to upgrade from my penguin 1140 which pump 300-400gph. I just set up a DYI sump/refug out of a 60g all glass so I need a return pump and overflow box (s) for that as well as at least two circullation pumps for inside the 200g. Its not going to be a full reef just some nice softies, mushrooms, colts ect along with fish and maybe a tang.

Heres what I was possibly looking at:
Rio 3100 @ 900gph 73watt $50
Hagan 901 @ 934 gph ??watt $50
Quiet One 4000 @ 1017gph 50watt $64 for return
Via Aqua 3600 @ 1057 gph 80watt $55 for return

Prices come from Dr. Foster and Smith catelog.

Thanks all

 

[Bojangles]

I went ahead and bought two rio's mentioned for $50 each, one as a return and one as a circulation pump, just to save the 15 bucks on shipping cause I went ahead and ordered two 36" 1x96watt Sattelite powercompact light units.

 

[Anonymous]

!Ay carajo! It is a shame no one responded to your post yesterday. If you do a search here in RDO you will see that Rio's have an evil reputation for failing and polluting tanks when they do so.

Have they shipped yet? Maybe there is time to change your order - from what you have on your list, Quiet Ones are well spoken of though I haven't used them myself.

Also, for a 200gal I wonder if you shouldn't be looking at something beefier for your return. A lot depends on your setup, is the pump pushing water uphill etc, but I would think something in a 1500 gph or more range would be more like it. I have a 1500 gph Iwaki on my 120 gal, and am adding a 900 gph closed loop for more water movement.

 

[Tackett]

I would recommend a Magdrive MD36. 3600 gallons per hour and a hair over 100 bucks. Great pumps.

 

[Tackett]

there is also a link at the top of the forum page that says "pump selection guide."

 

[sslarison]

Return the RIOs!

I have used MAG and Quiet One pumps. Both are good. I have the Quiet one 4000 right now and its pretty nice. Rios are terrible.

 

[Bojangles]

I would recommend a Magdrive MD36. 3600 gallons per hour and a hair over 100 bucks. Great pumps.

I havent seen these for less than $176, where do you buy them?

I've had a rio 2500 for about 8 years without any trouble at all but not in a saltwater tank. The company wants me to pay s/h back to them and they will not charge to reship the new product. DOH

 

[Bojangles]

Well it looks like I have to return them anyway because the rios @ 5ft only produce around 600 gph which is too slow for my return. I'm going to need at least a 1300-1500+ to produce the 1000 gph I want.

ViaAqua 4900 $60 1321gph 113watt
QuietOne 6000 $110 1500gph 140watt
Mag12 $104 1200gph 110watt
Mag18 $117 1800gph 145watt

 

[Anonymous]

I've had much success with Mags...I believe they are a great value.

I've returned Drs. stuff before...although they want you to pay s/h to return product, it's still pretty easy and convenient to do, imo.

 

[Tackett]

sorry I was thinking about a mag12 when I wrote that. They are about 1200gph and a hair over 100 bucks.
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant ... y_Code=MAG
AFAIK ocean runner pumps kick some butt.
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant ... ceanrunner

 

[Anonymous]

http://petsolutions.com/product.asp?pn= ... 1107618590

KAPOW!

mag 36= $131
Mag 24= $103

B

 

[Tackett]

8O wowzers thats some killer prices!

 

[Tackett]

I really wouldnt mind having that 24. The 36 is out of stock.

 

[Anonymous]

http://petsolutions.com/product.asp_Q_p ... e+Pumps_E_

quiet ones are on sale too

B

 

[Bojangles]

OMG thanks guys!! Those are some great prices I'm definately sending the rio's back. I actually was just trying to save some shipping. I had ordered some lamps just to light and color my rocks on my semi reef. We'll see how it goes I should have it in about two days.

 

[Tackett]

sweet! what pumps did you decide on?

 

[Bojangles]

sweet! what pumps did you decide on?

Well that depends...the last link says that the Quiet Ones have no restriction vs feet. If thats true, which I have trouble believing, then @5ft the pump would push 1500 gph and would be ideal for me. If not then I am definately going with the mag.

I read a thread Sharkky wrote that said he lost a whole tank of fish in his FOWLR before he turned it into a reef due to a rio malfuctioning and shocking all the inhabitants.

I think I'm just going with the one pump for now until I read about someone actually having a mag or quietone inside their tank just pushing circulation...I think thats a closed loop?

This tank will be a Semi Reef :moderate light (PC's) keeping just some polyps, mushrooms and filter feeders, Moderate flow whatever rate that may be for the filter feeders. Really Im not keeping anything except fish and some low light stuff mostly beginners.

 

[Bojangles]

The mag pumps are no longer on sale...4 days after the post they went off BOOOO

 

[Bojangles]

http://petsolutions.com/product.asp_Q_p ... e+Pumps_E_

The quiet ones are still on sale but not for long if anyone is planning on ordering. I ended up going with these ones because they are cheaper than mag, use less watts and deliver what I need. I ended up getting the 1017gph model 4000 for circulation and the 1506 model 6000 for my return. Now if only I had an overflow LOL