Basement return pump suggestions?

DanConnor · Jan 19, 2016

I'm looking at about 15 feet total head, coming up from a basement sump room to a 200 display tank. I don't need a ton of flow through the sump, although I would probably like to T off to a frag tray in the basement room.

I have an old Iwaki MD55RLT I'm going to try, although not sure it will do the trick.

Chatted on the phone with someone at BRS who suggested Reeflo gold hybrid, but that strikes me as possible overkill. Don't want to use more power than necessary.

He also said Vectra DC pumps were not good in high head situations.

Thoughts?

PedroYoung · Jan 19, 2016

Following,similar setup coming up for my 180 with 75G sump

hawkinsrgk · Jan 19, 2016

In my opinion you can't beat a Reeflo hammerhead pump. They are used a lot for basement setups

trido · Jan 19, 2016

My pressure rated GEN X PCX 55 has been running solid for 8 years. Not the quietest pump on the market but at 1200GPH with a 26' shut off I'm sure it would do the trick. Remember, you'r sump only needs to clean and reheat the water. You dont need 10,000GPH to get the job done.

DanConnor · Jan 20, 2016

I had a sequence hammerhead about 10 years ago. Not sure how similar they are to today's, but it was waaay more flow than I needed...

fragit · Jan 20, 2016

Following along as I'm in the same situation, with fish/sump room in the basement and 100gal in the dinning room. I have been looking on BRS at the Vectra's I'm surprised because on their site it's rated up to 25' I think. I was planning on going with that because of cost and it's submersible. Should I reconsider?

trido · Jan 20, 2016

DanConnor said:
I had a sequence hammerhead about 10 years ago. Not sure how similar they are to today's, but it was waaay more flow than I needed...

Nothing against the Reeflo (Sequence) Pumps at all. Quiet and major flow. Most that I've used in the past require a new $40ish seal kit around every 2-3 years. Never a full on leak but they do start to weep saltcreep around then and it will eventually corrode the pump shaft and burn up the front bearing if you don't deal with it.

hawkinsrgk · Jan 21, 2016

trido said:
Nothing against the Reeflo (Sequence) Pumps at all. Quiet and major flow. Most that I've used in the past require a new $40ish seal kit around every 2-3 years. Never a full on leak but they do start to weep saltcreep around then and it will eventually corrode the pump shaft and burn up the front bearing if you don't deal with it.

That is true. I have had to replace the seals in mine before. It was covered under warranty

Feet4Fish · Jan 21, 2016

I use a iwaki 70 RLT for 17 foot head and love it.

PedroYoung · Jan 21, 2016

soffutt said:
I use a iwaki 70 RLT for 17 foot head and love it.

@soffutt , what size tank?

Feet4Fish · Jan 21, 2016

PedroYoung said:
@soffutt , what size tank?

180 gallon display

PedroYoung · Jan 21, 2016

soffutt said:
180 gallon display

Thanks, that's what I am setting up with about 15' of head. Helpful feedback.

butters417 · Jan 21, 2016

Just hooked up a hammerhead the past week, love it. I replaced a dc12000. The dc12000 probably would've worked if I didn't have a manifold, but I wasn't getting enough flow upstairs with that and the manifold setup

Feet4Fish · Jan 21, 2016

butters417 said:
Just hooked up a hammerhead the past week, love it. I replaced a dc12000. The dc12000 probably would've worked if I didn't have a manifold, but I wasn't getting enough flow upstairs with that and the manifold setup

That is a good point. My iwaki 70RLT also runs a quad manifold. And then the 17' head.

DanConnor · Jan 21, 2016

fragit said:
Following along as I'm in the same situation, with fish/sump room in the basement and 100gal in the dinning room. I have been looking on BRS at the Vectra's I'm surprised because on their site it's rated up to 25' I think. I was planning on going with that because of cost and it's submersible. Should I reconsider?

That quote I have is just something one guy at brs said; and might not be correct. Need more info on this...

Tegridy Reef · Jan 22, 2016

I did with pan world and now I'm selling them

DanConnor · Jan 23, 2016

Is that positive or negative?

PedroYoung · Jan 25, 2016

FYI, here is the pump curve for the Vectra L1 pump.

fragit · Jan 25, 2016

Yes have seen that curve, and the head loss ratings in various places. I sent Ecotech an email yesterday asking if they would care to comment. I also emailed a member from Team Ecotech here on R2R for comments. Will see what either have to say.

fragit · Jan 25, 2016

DanConnor said:
I'm looking at about 15 feet total head, coming up from a basement sump room to a 200 display tank. I don't need a ton of flow through the sump, although I would probably like to T off to a frag tray in the basement room.

I have an old Iwaki MD55RLT I'm going to try, although not sure it will do the trick.

Chatted on the phone with someone at BRS who suggested Reeflo gold hybrid, but that strikes me as possible overkill. Don't want to use more power than necessary.

He also said Vectra DC pumps were not good in high head situations.

Thoughts?

Just got this email back from BRS about the Vectra for my application. "Great question, The Vectra is a great pump however with head height you also have to consider the GPH flow rating. If the head height is 13' then the flow which at maximum will be 3100 GPH at 0' head height and 0GPH at 21.5' the flow you will get will be closer to 1500 GPH. This is just about perfect amount for a 100 gallon tank for the 10X system volume. This could be a great option in your situation. There are several DC alternatives including the Waveline pumps. Feel free to let us know if you have any further questions!"