Recommended Pump(s) For 350G Display Tank (Triton Method)

[widarecu]

Hey guys, I’m in the planning stages for my new 350G tank (400G with sump), SPS dominant running Triton method.

I’m trying to figure out which pump (or pumps) I should get to help me achieve the 10x flow recommended for the Triton method (or close enough), what would you guys recommend based on your experience?

I was thinking on getting two Vectra L2s but I just realized I’m currently getting hardly 800gph with my Vectra L1 in my RedSea XXL 750 (about 200G).

I was thinking on 2 Abyzz A200 or the Royal Exclusive DS3 for 12000 lph but not sure if there is a cheaper option out there.

Thanks in advance for your help

 

[Gp!]

Add these guys to your consideration. They are helpful on sizing by email too

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www.reeflopumps.com

Hrm tried to add a URL but it doesn't seem to be working. Take a look at reeflopumps.com

 

[widarecu]

Add these guys to your consideration. They are helpful on sizing by email too

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www.reeflopumps.com

Hrm tried to add a URL but it doesn't seem to be working. Take a look at reeflopumps.com

Thanks I’ll have a look, how long have you been running with these ones? How much water you are pushing?

 

[Gp!]

Thanks I’ll have a look, how long have you been running with these ones? How much water you are pushing?

I have hammerhead gold's. Unfortunately my plans have stalled for them due to time commitments but I'm getting there

So as far as usage review, I don't have one for you. But the quality is undeniable when you put it in your hand. They are very well built pumps. I asked for a pump that would do around 3500 gph in 2" PVC from another room. I got them for 300 gallon tanks I want to run 10x flow through both. I forget the distances off the top of my head now.

I read good reviews on them and after unboxing I'd definitely buy them again. But everyone has different priorities so just mentioning to check them out. They might tick the boxes

 

[CJBuckeyes]

I was thinking on getting two Vectra L2s but I just realized I’m currently getting hardly 800gph with my Vectra L1 in my RedSea XXL 750 (about 200G).

That seems low, my M1 does more. What size return plumbing are you using? 1.25”? How many elbows?

 

[widarecu]

That seems low, my M1 does more. What size return plumbing are you using? 1.25”? How many elbows?

That’s part of the problem as well, original plumbing from the RSR XXL 750 is 3/4 which restricts the flow even more (flow sensor reads about 550 gph), I’m currently by-passing with a 1 inch hose but then I’m just getting 800gph. I think the ideal would be to run 1.25 but that’s just too much trouble with my current setup :/

 

[CJBuckeyes]

That still sounds low. Well if you have even one point in the return that is 3/4” (like your return nozzle), it will be similar to having 3/4” the whole way.

Since it’s an L1 (first gen), have you checked for overheating damage. Swollen rotor, etc. There were some thermal issues with the first gen.

 

[widarecu]

That still sounds low. Well if you have even one point in the return that is 3/4” (like your return nozzle), it will be similar to having 3/4” the whole way.

Since it’s an L1 (first gen), have you checked for overheating damage. Swollen rotor, etc. There were some thermal issues with the first gen.

This is already the second one, first one died because of that issue, luckily it was still under warranty, after that I don’t trust them much :/

 

[ca1ore]

The vectra pumps don’t handle back pressure well ... though to be fair, they aren’t designed to. To get good performance out of them you need to minimize head pressure (sump must be in the stand; no basement fish room) and maintain at least native plumbing (nominally 1 1/4”) through the full length of the return lines. Then you’ll get 2,000 gph at least from each. External AC pumps are pressure champs, but they’re noisy and may not be an ideal choice for inside a stand. Basement fish room, yes! I personally use a PanWorld 250 on my 450, but I don’t run anywhere near 10x. To get 3,500 out of dual AC pumps you’d need to look at either Reeflo or Dolphin Ampmaster. I prefer the latter for better reliability. Dual abyzz just seems crazy $$.

 

[widarecu]

I have hammerhead gold's. Unfortunately my plans have stalled for them due to time commitments but I'm getting there

So as far as usage review, I don't have one for you. But the quality is undeniable when you put it in your hand. They are very well built pumps. I asked for a pump that would do around 3500 gph in 2" PVC from another room. I got them for 300 gallon tanks I want to run 10x flow through both. I forget the distances off the top of my head now.

I read good reviews on them and after unboxing I'd definitely buy them again. But everyone has different priorities so just mentioning to check them out. They might tick the boxes

Sometimes it happens, I'm sure you'll get back to your plans soon I have them now in my list to compare them against the rest of the recommendations, let's see which one comes at the top

 

[widarecu]

So seems my options to achieve the flow I’m after is to pay crazy money for a couple of Abyzz or Royal Exclusive pumps within the sump or a couple of external ones (Reeflo, Dolphin, Iwaki, etc).

My build is an in-wall peninsula build splitting dinning and a secondary living area (bedrooms are upstairs). I don’t have experience with external pumps but are they really noisy to be a no-no for my planned location? The next question is energy consumption, checking the specs they seem to be pretty power hungry, is it around double the energy consumption to the DC pumps?

And now to make the decision more stressing, sump build (acrylic) is about to start and I still haven’t decided on the return pumps

 

[ca1ore]

Large external AC pumps are noisy. Not loud, per se, but the cooling fan is noticeable. Inside a stand they would probably be fine. They do consume more electricity because they are designed to handle pressure. T’were me, I’d go dual vectra L1 and just upsize all the return plumbing.

 

[widarecu]

Large external AC pumps are noisy. Not loud, per se, but the cooling fan is noticeable. Inside a stand they would probably be fine. They do consume more electricity because they are designed to handle pressure. T’were me, I’d go dual vectra L1 and just upsize all the return plumbing.

Thanks and exactly what I was looking to understand. I just bought a 2 inch flow monitor and I’ll update the plumbing to 1.25 removing any restrictions on my current L1, if I manage to get just under 2000gph then I think I may go with your suggestion ... I’ll keep you posted

 

[CMO]

Definitely 2x Abyzz A200 or something of that level for a tank like this! The amount of time and money you will have in an SPS tank of that size over the years just pales in comparison even to the high cost of these pumps. My biggest regret on my 165g Triton tank was my return pump choice of a Varios S8 which just can't handle head pressure. I only get 700 gph on a pump rated for 2700 gph!

On my current 250 gallon Triton frag tank I went with a single Abyzz A400 and love it. Head pressure is not an issue with the Abyzz as I'm getting about 2800 gph at only 55% power on this pump. Unfortunately my setup didn't work with 2 smaller pumps which would be my preference as a fail safe. So either 2 A200's or 1 A400 would be my recommendation.

 

[jpas]

I run a Reeflo Hammerhead Gold on my 400g tank. The Vectra pumps do not handle head pressure at all and are over rated. The Abbyz would be a great choice, but rather expensive.

 

[widarecu]

Definitely 2x Abyzz A200 or something of that level for a tank like this! The amount of time and money you will have in an SPS tank of that size over the years just pales in comparison even to the high cost of these pumps. My biggest regret on my 165g Triton tank was my return pump choice of a Varios S8 which just can't handle head pressure. I only get 700 gph on a pump rated for 2700 gph!

On my current 250 gallon Triton frag tank I went with a single Abyzz A400 and love it. Head pressure is not an issue with the Abyzz as I'm getting about 2800 gph at only 55% power on this pump. Unfortunately my setup didn't work with 2 smaller pumps which would be my preference as a fail safe. So either 2 A200's or 1 A400 would be my recommendation.

Abyzz are still my preference but hard to get your hands on them here in Australia, I was looking to get them straight from Germany but it worries me the warranty in case of issues. Royal Exclusive is easier here reason why I was looking at the Red Dragon as well.

I still have a few months before the house is ready for the tank, I'll figure out the logistics by then in the meantime I'm definitely running the plumbing upgrade in my RSR XXL and see if I get an improvement in flow with the Vectra L1 ... that more just to satisfy my curiosity and help me with the plumbing planning for the new tank

 

[widarecu]

I run a Reeflo Hammerhead Gold on my 400g tank. The Vectra pumps do not handle head pressure at all and are over rated. The Abbyz would be a great choice, but rather expensive.

100% agree with your Vectra statement, very curious to see what I get once I upgrade the plumbing