best return pump and chiller

[vsmith]

My saltwater tank is now up and running 3 years. I am going to upgrade my light to metal halide/pc from 2X40w flourescent. My mag drive 7 pump to either an Iwaki 30xlt or little giant. And I would like to buy a chiller.
I'm not even going to ask what everyone would recommend for lights because after doing a lot of searching I don't think anyone knows what's best. I've decided on going with elecronic ballasts, HQI lamps (150 0r 250 i don't know). Which brand or strore would you guys recommend.

I think I've narrowed my pump selection down to either the Iwaki or litlle giant. I currently have a Mag drive 7 it has performed great no problem for 3 years and I running it in-line. A few weeks ago it started making an occasional clicking noise so I think it near the end. I want something QUIET. the tank is in the living room.Which one would you guys recommend and which store do buy from?

Since I am upgrading my lights and I plan on moving to Florida in June I think it may be wise to invest in a chiller. This is an expensive leap and there is not much out on there on which brand is the best. Again, it must be QUIET. Would you guys recommend an in-line or drop in chiller. Which brands have you found to be reliable and cheap to operate.

Thanks in advance for the help.
Vince
ps I am running
100 gal all glass tank with corner overflow
amiracle bio ball sump
red sea berlin protein skimmer in sump(after bioballs unfortunately)
mag 7 pump
2 maxi jet 9javascript:emoticon('')00 powerheads
2x40floursecent lights

 

[Len]

I like Aqualine Bushke for my lights, including their bulbs and pendants. Ushio also makes quality bulbs. As you can tell, I'm a 10,000K user.

As for the pump, go with the Iwaki. They are utterly reliable and I have not heard a complaint about them yet. I have 10 year old Iwakis running as if they were new, and I've seen even older ones working without maintanence. If you want low noise, go with an Iwaki model without a cooling fan (series 30 and below). I use a 30LRXT and a 30RLT on my tank. FYI: Dolphin makes the ampmaster pumps that are nearly dead quiet. Iwakis are probably more dependable and maintanence free, but if noise is a major issue, consider an Ampmaster. Quiet One and Velocity/Silent Sea pumps are also dead quiet, but my experience with them says they aren't reliable for reef tanks.

As for the chiiller, sorry to say but there is no such thing as a quiet chiller. They all produce fan and compressor noise that I don't find acceptable in living areas. Not to mention the oodles of heat the emit! I plumb my outdoors (drilled through wall). Some are a little quieter then others, but none are quiet. There are thermoelectric chillers that are quiet, but they will not cool a 100 gallon very well.

FWIW, I prefer Aqualogic for my chillers. They're one of the relatively quiet ones and are very reliable. I also have a Aquamedic Titan 150 Thermoelectric chiller. It's quiet all right, but I would not use this thing on anything larger then a 30 or 40 gallon.

 

[vsmith]

thank you so much for the info
I have decided to go with the Iwaki MD30 pump (no fan noise). My sump has 3/4" and my return into the tank is 3/4" so I think the Iwaki will work best for me. I looked at the ampmaster but it requires a 1.5" in/out. I would be concerned about drawing water from a 3/4" hole.
Which store would you recommend. I've had success with bigals but they don't carry the Iwaki.
My final question is do I go the xlt or the regualr model. I plan on adding a chiller so maybe the xlt would be a bad idea what do you think?

again, thanks for the help

Vinson :wink:

 

[Len]

While the ampmaster inlet can be reduced (states 1" is no problem), 3/4" is probably too small. I think you'll like the MD30 Iwaki. For the one going to your chiller, I recommend the pressure rated RLT. I've actually tried the RLXT on my system passing through my chiller, and it works. But 1) the flow is dramatically decreased and 2) I can't say for certain it'll be as reliable in the long run. Nowadays, I run one RLXT and one RLT

Personally, I love Marine Depot and Premium Aquatics. You may want to ask the General Reef Discussion forum for more opinoins or do a search. Take a look at Reefs.org's sponsors