Suggestions for large system pumps please

[rishma]

I am begining the preliminary search for a reliable, cost effective, ENGERGY EFFICIENT pump for a large system. The system is likley to consist of a series of tanks for propagation etc.

Assuming I am looking in the nieghborhood of 100 to 200 gallons per minute (6-12,000 GPH), I would appreciate some suggestions/ reviews of high output pumps.

For my smaller tanks I have used Iwakis in the past, though I am currently using Dolphin AMPmaster 3000s. I am looking at the higher output dolphins, so any experience with those is very much appreciated. GRI pumps are also a possiblity.

As always, thanks for the help.

 

[rishma]

top

 

[davelin315]

Never had that much flow going through a system before. You might want to contact people who run stores, as they have more of a need for large pumps, or e-mail one of the mail order places.

 

[Blowfishaq]

I have a Dolphin 3000/6000. It has a switch that allows you to run it a 3000 or 6000 gallons an hour. They do not make this pump anymore but the quality is awesome. I can only assume that the rest of their high output pumps work as good. It is very quiet also.

Bryan

 

[Anonymous]

You could look into Sequence Pumps

Quiet, powerful and energy effiecient.

Here is a pic of mine. It is a 6000PRO23. 6000 GPH - 4800 @ 11'.

I plan to install it this weekend

You can get them from Harbor Aquatics

 

[SPC]

Brian, now thats a pump! Tim Allen would be proud of you. What is the clear fitting, a check valve?
Steve

[ October 26, 2001: Message edited by: SPC ]</p>

 

[rishma]

top.....I am to assume that none of you have an opinion???????

 

[JT]

rishma:

The pump Atlantis has only uses 374W and pumps 4800GPH @ 11 feet of head with a max. head of roughly 23 feet. Body is constructed of corrosion resistant alluminum alloy and all nuts, bolds and washers used to assemble the pump to the motor are 300 series stainless steel. A 3 year warranty is provided by the manufacturer.

- JT

 

[npaden]

I'm currently running a basic version of the pump atlantis has. It will definetly move some water!! I would say the 4,800 gph at 11' head may even be a conservative rating!

I am struggling with bubbles in my sump though. The velocity of the water moving through my baffles in the sump that are there to remove bubbles is causing bubbles instead!

I originally started out with 2 ampmasters on my 10' 415 gallon tank. One on a recirc loop and one as a return. The ampmaster driving my return just wasn't cutting it and the sequence looked like it would. It does but now I'm having some problems with bubbles because so much water is flowing through the sump.

I'm thinking of switching out the Sequence with 2 ampmasters - 1 on a recirc loop and 1 as the return pump. This may be the best option for me as I have to do something to eliminate these bubbles. Also 2 ampmasters would move the same amount of water as the Sequence does for about 2/3rds of the elecricity.

One word of caution. DON'T restrict the intake on the sequence pump! I noticed the ball valve on the intake on Brians pump and that is not a good thing unless it is only used to turn on or off to pull the pump for cleaning or maintenance. I unintentionally restricted the intake on my sequence and it heated up my tank to 90 degrees. Thought something was wrong with the pump. Turns out that the elbow I had put on the intake trying to eliminate bubbles had restricted the intake. I removed the elbow and everything is running fine now.

FWIW, Nathan

[ November 01, 2001: Message edited by: npaden ]</p>

 

[JT]

Nathan:

You do not want to restrict the input on ANY pump.. this has nothing to do with Sequence in particular.. basic plumbing 101. The valve in Atlantis's picture is used as a shut off valve in the event he needs to pull the pump for maintenance. It's always a good idea to have unions and valves on both the input and discharge, makes servicing SO much easier.

- JT

 

[rishma]

That pump looks like a beast, in a suprisingly small package.

Do you know the amps/volts/watts?

 

[blownalcohol]

I also have a 1/4hp hi-flow sequence pump, and love it.

 

[npaden]

JT,

I just use a plug in the bulkhead on my intakes to stop flow to the pump if I need to pull it for one reason or another. Saves quite a bit of space vs a ball valve. Agreed on the unions.

I just was letting people know to be careful on the sequence as the tremendous velocity of the pump needs to be accounted for on ALL aspects of your plumbing. I had the 1.5" elbow on the intake of the ampmaster I was running and this didn't affect it because 3,000 gph isn't pushing the envelope on the 1.5" plumbing like 4,800 gph is. If possible I would recommend going with 2" pipe and then reducing to 1.5" right before the intake and then expanding back to 2" immediately at the output.

FWIW, Nathan

 

[thardin]

Thought I would bring this one back up. I am in the process of trying to figure out which Sequence pump I want to go with. I have a 125 gallon tank with 200 gallon sump. I need to size the pump to work with the GPH & head pressure I have. I currently want to turn-over 600gph and am guessing at about 20' of combined head pressure.

I would like to run my skimmer off of it as well, but can't figure out how much head pressure this adds. The skimmer can run 200-300gph@5psi. How do you calculate the head on this?

I have purchased 1.25" pipe and fittings because the sump has a 1.25" bulkhead. Do I need larger pipe to get the flow I am looking for?