Poll on return pumps

[blueheaven]

Hi guys, please poll on which pump you use for return and state the reason for using it :lol:

[AlfaRomeo]

Currently using 2 x Eheim 1262 for return but exploring the possibility of changing the pumps to the Red Dragon 10m3 pump.

Reason:

2 x 1262 = 160W = 6800L/hr

1 x 10m3 = 96W = 10000L/hr

[blueheaven]

wow that'a cool!!!!! :lol:

[Melvyn Tan]

Me using eheim 1250 as return from my refugium to main tank

[Reefaholic]

How come no RED DRAGON??? This is a very good pump with very low wattage consumption.

[blueheaven]

yah the red dragon came to mind after i posted

but its abit high on the $$$

[AlfaRomeo]

Bro, the cost of a red dragon is roughly the same as an Iwaki mah..

[Blenny]

I think red dragon is more like the cost of deltecs

Currently am using OR6500 for my return. First few days of use was a tad too noisy but after 4 days or so they are even quieter than my iwakis on the freshwater tank.

[blueheaven]

Red Dragon is really nice

small in footprint, low power consumption, sleek colours....

btw I found out that the so called "pressure rated" pumps are not what they seem

the real pressure rated pumps sucks in water and injects pressure on the water so much so that it literally explodes out of the pump

anyone can verify this?

[AlfaRomeo]

After readin up on the Red Dragon series, looks to be an interesting pump. cost about the same as an Iwaki but llower power consumption and less noisier too. As quiet as Eheim 1260/1262.

I think it has a pressure head up to 4m and the pump's RPM is IC controlled with relation to wattage.

[AlfaRomeo]

Does anyone know when using a beckett, how many meters of head does it simulate?

For an AquaC, it is roughly 6 feet of head pressure for the spray injector I think.

[AlfaRomeo]

Flow Curve for 10m3 Red Dragon

[AlfaRomeo]

Flow curve for 8m3 Red Dragon

[terryansimon]

I'm currently using an Eheim 1262 for return and another for close loop. will soon decomission my close loop one and try to route it in a way that it powers my skimmer/UV/chiller. wonder if it can be done.

I'm thinking of changing to Deltecs for the above mentioned procedure. but its so ##@^Y@SATRW#T expensive!

[robe]

Your choice of pumps shoud be based on requirements. If your pipe run is long and a lot of joints and fittings then go for a pressure rated pump that will meet your required flow rate.

The red dragon pump curve shows that at 2.5 m head the flow rate is down by 35% already from a flowrate of 7300 li/hr @ 1 m head pressure. The pump is good is you used it for recirculating closed loop cycle or as a return pump for a low head installation otherwise you are throwing good money.

For dependable and reliable pressure rated applications Iwaki is still the pump to beat. IWaki is being relied on in critical industrial applications running 24 x 7 non stop. I have been continuosly running my Iwaki which I bought second hand for the last 2 years without a problem.

For an example an MX70 rated at 5400 li/hr @1 mhead can still put out 4800 li/hr at 2.5 mtr head or a flow rate drop of 12% only.

You also should consider long term reliability and availability of parts to service your pumps. How long has Red dragon in the market and how long is it going to stay in the market?

For reliability in aquarium pumps, Eheim is tops. I have run 1060 for 4 yrs continuously without breakdown. The only thing I have replaced is the o-ring seal of the pump cover plate.

[blueheaven]

For reliability in aquarium pumps, Eheim is tops. I have run 1060 for 4 yrs continuously without breakdown. The only thing I have replaced is the o-ring seal of the pump cover plate.

I totally agree

And in regards, to the red dragon, that's a lot of water you pushing, might have to go through second thoughts if using for return

[blueheaven]

I am thinking of using a MD40 for return and tee off to chiller and FR

Any opinions on this selection?

[visor]

any idea where i can find the red dragon locally in s'pore?

[alvy]

i've worked out the cost-wattage comparison between an iwaki mx70(250w) and one of the red dragon(60w+) pumps.

though mx70 (from HK) consumes much more wattage, but it is relatively cheaper to purchase, hence initial investment is much lower than the that of a Red dragon. if you run both pumps together and sum up the electrical bills of both pumps and their initial purchase cost, it will take almost 4 yrs of continous running before the iwaki's operation becomes more expensive than the reddragon due to high utility bill! However if you factor in the effective/net flowrate you receive from both pump under a not so ideal condition(heads and pressure), comparing the expenses per flow volume unit, the iwaki still wins for a couple more yrs! (ie, you might need to run 1.5 times reddragon pump to match up with a single mx70 if ur system do need mission critical flowrate to run well).

However the formula changes if the price of the pump changes. of coz our dearest powergrid can 'help" reduce the number of "breakeven" years if they decide to raise utility bills!

a reddragon pump is a powerhead not a magnetic nor direct shaft driven pump. similar to the eheim it has a spining magnet with a fin like impellor. I'm not bad mouthing the pump, but if u really is looking for long term low operating cost, it might beat iwaki (maybe after more than 7 yrs of running) but wat if it breaks down and u need replacement?? iwaki r renown for "longevity awards" even if u replace a new iwaki (IF it breaks down), it is still cheaper than replacing a reddragon!

hmm..if i have $$ i will buy a red dragon!haha..iwaki is too bulky, noisy and hazardous looking if they compare the 2.

[Hard Rock]

What about Ehiem and Oceanrunner?

Anyone care to comment.

[Tigger]

eheim is a classic

[Melvyn Tan]

eheim is a classic

Yup Classic thats why now have 1250 and 1260

[patrick123]

I was looking at the cost of replacing my current Atman pump which is rated at 8500L/hr at 200w with a RedDragon which is about 115w at 12000L/hr. I realized that the 85w of difference only amount to $9.70 of difference in electricity per month. To pay for a RedDragon pump, I need to run the pump for 11 years before I can get the money back. If the pump fails and I need a new RD pump, I will need another 11 years to break even.

This has not even taking into consideration if I put the money in the bank for 11 years, how much interest I would have gained.

For this, I'm going to stick to my Atman pump for now, and replacement Atman pump is only $100.

I'm also running an Iwaki MX-70. The pump is great. Just a little noise because of the fan.

[robe]

You can never go wrong with Iwaki like Eheims they "are old reliable" 24 x 7 x forever......

[Bandit]

Sequence pumps for me!