Basement return pump suggestions?

DanConnor · Jan 25, 2016

The chart above suggests that the flow would be a bit less than that, but probably still ok. At my 15 feet though, probably not ok.

fragit · Jan 25, 2016

Right if you want to turn over 4x your volume you need at least 800 gallons at 15 feet.

PedroYoung · Jan 26, 2016

I am considering the L1 for my 180 with 14' from basement floor to overflow. I am prob going to put the sump a couple feet off the floor to make it easier to work in and to be able to siphon so call it 12'. I am not counting on return pump for flow though, just filtration and heat circulation since I will have 2 MP40 and 1 MP10 for display tank flow. Tempting. I like the idea of low noise and power consumption. Maybe off thread/ topic, but anyone know if you can tie the vectra in with MP's for feed mode? That would be nice.

374 · Jan 26, 2016

Vectra pumps are great .I have 3m1 on my closeloop and love them.My sump is 10 ft of head and will probably replace my blue line70 with a L1 when they are released in Canada .I was hoping not to be the Guinea pig.I have seen 1 with no head its impressive

fragit · Feb 5, 2016

PedroYoung said:
I am considering the L1 for my 180 with 14' from basement floor to overflow. I am prob going to put the sump a couple feet off the floor to make it easier to work in and to be able to siphon so call it 12'. I am not counting on return pump for flow though, just filtration and heat circulation since I will have 2 MP40 and 1 MP10 for display tank flow. Tempting. I like the idea of low noise and power consumption. Maybe off thread/ topic, but anyone know if you can tie the vectra in with MP's for feed mode? That would be nice.

I believe that you need to get the reeflink to tie them together, but that is the whole point. From my understanding reeflink is the all in one controller for Ecotech products. They don't work with apex from what I understand. Where are you in your build I'm planning the same setup sump-display, almost exactly. I was thinking of the L1 also, would like to know how it works out.

PedroYoung · Feb 5, 2016

fragit said:
I believe that you need to get the reeflink to tie them together, but that is the whole point. From my understanding reeflink is the all in one controller for Ecotech products. They don't work with apex from what I understand. Where are you in your build I'm planning the same setup sump-display, almost exactly. I was thinking of the L1 also, would like to know how it works out.

I am a couple months out. We are moving in a week from today. Will take some time to get settled (and I had shoulder surgery a month ago). Here is where the display is going (where the box is on top of the cabinet).

Jlobes · Feb 5, 2016

Maybe this will work for ya...

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/fs-new-unused-reeflo-hammerhead-hybrid-gold.233748/

reefmania59 · Feb 6, 2016

Ì use the hammerhead hybrid and my head is around 16'. I can pretty much guarantee it will work. I also feed 3 reactors with it and still have to throttle the output some.

374 · Feb 7, 2016

I tried a L1 from basement 12ft head in sump 1 1/2 off the pump y fitting reduced to 1" with valve then 3/4 spa flex up 6 ft across the top of tank to 2 sea swirls . The flow is approximately 1/2 of what I was getting with the blue line 70 .So the blue line is back on .i was soooo hoping that it would be as much as the blue line.Its a great flow pump not a pressure pump.

374 · Feb 7, 2016

The M1 I use on my closeloop are great .I have the doors off and I can't hear 3 of them

fragit · Feb 7, 2016

374 said:
I tried a L1 from basement 12ft head in sump 1 1/2 off the pump y fitting reduced to 1" with valve then 3/4 spa flex up 6 ft across the top of tank to 2 sea swirls . The flow is approximately 1/2 of what I was getting with the blue line 70 .So the blue line is back on .i was soooo hoping that it would be as much as the blue line.Its a great flow pump not a pressure pump.

Did you ever try not using the Y fitting or the sea swirls to check the flow? Additionally you had to push the water about 18ft in all. Do you still have the L1? If so do you want to get rid of it?[emoji6]

374 · Feb 7, 2016

Pump was borrowed from a friend who is doing a new setup .I hooked it up to my existing plumbing because that's the way I needed it to run . The flow was ok but not enough for me because of what I am used to.

374 · Feb 7, 2016

My M1from closeloop to 2 3/4 sea swirls has more pressure than the l1 from the basement.They are great for flow not pressure applications like basement or trying to push through a Venturi or maybe even penductors.

PedroYoung · Feb 7, 2016

374 said:
Pump was borrowed from a friend who is doing a new setup .I hooked it up to my existing plumbing because that's the way I needed it to run . The flow was ok but not enough for me because of what I am used to.

[HASHTAG]#374[/HASHTAG] how big of a display are you running (how much flow were you looking for)? In my case I am only looking for like 5x turnover in 180G.

374 · Feb 7, 2016

Display is 374g 72x40wx30h total system aprox 500g system .Im guessing that I was getting about 1400g from the L1 .That might be enough for you

fragit · Feb 7, 2016

That would be more than enough for my 120 at 15ft of head for sure!

374 · Feb 7, 2016

For 120 yes

PedroYoung · Feb 8, 2016

374 said:
Display is 374g 72x40wx30h total system aprox 500g system .Im guessing that I was getting about 1400g from the L1 .That might be enough for you

Thanks, helpful info!

DanConnor · May 25, 2016

Well, the Iwaki MD55RLT turns out to have been more than enough, I have it dialed back to about half for a nice flow. I think people really overdo some of these basement return pumps.

It's loud as heck though- its in a closed room downstairs and I can hear it easily upstairs.

DanConnor · Dec 8, 2016

OK, got tired of the noise and added a Vectra L1. very nice and very silent. At that head, considerably less flow than the Iwaki. I could use a bit more, but it is acceptable.

I kept the iwaki plumbed in because everyone needs a backup return pump!