Red Dragon Pumps?

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Dylan

Dylan

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Hi,

I'm getting my return pump for my 120 gallon now... I can get a used Red Dragon 3.5 925 gph for 275 shipped... I have no doubt that's an awesome deal, but what makes it so much better than a 100 dollar pump?

And do they cost much to repair? What do I need to know before I get it?

Thanks,
Dylan
 
Deltec
they're said to be about the most efficient things on the planet, and super quiet. I know they are usually import, and have heard they will usually have some weird plumbing sizes (metric). Donno about the repair costs or anything... thats my 2 cents.
 
Deltec
Wierd plumbing sizes... so will it be hard to plumb, or will it just take some more thinking?
 
ya, one of my friends had to use a flexable cupling thing to make 1 work for him. blackhawk does have a good point though. ATB makes real nice, super efficient pumps too just dont have the super pricey red dragon name. I have 1 on my ATB skimmer, real quiet and moves alota water even as a needle wheel.
 
fatcasey said:
ya, one of my friends had to use a flexable cupling thing to make 1 work for him. blackhawk does have a good point though. ATB makes real nice, super efficient pumps too just dont have the super pricey red dragon name. I have 1 on my ATB skimmer, real quiet and moves alota water even as a needle wheel.
Click to expand...

As long as I can make it work I will be fine... Hopefully :bigsmile:
 
www.dinkinsaquaticgardens.com
AS
Also, this will be 925 gph... is this enough flow for a 120 gallon? I will have 2 vortechs.
 
not worth it IMO at all. I had the Laguna 1500 on my skimmer for awhile...yes its an awesome pump but that price is nuts...they sell lagunas at lanscape places for ponds. same motor as far as i know.
 
Man that is a lot of coin for a simple return pump even if it is a RD pump that is used. Off hand it sounds like too much flow for a 125. I would shoot for around a 700 gph pump depending on the tank height and if you are using an in sump skimmer. Spend 80 bucks and get you a Mag. I have two that are going on 7 years full time use. Save the big bucks for an RD or Askoll pump for a real skimmer.
 
www.dinkinsaquaticgardens.com
I think I'll go with the ATB. The pump is not something I want to get used... if you have anything against me getting the ATB PLEASE LET ME KNOW.
 
Hammmerhead said:
Man that is a lot of coin for a simple return pump even if it is a RD pump that is used. Off hand it sounds like too much flow for a 125. I would shoot for around a 700 gph pump depending on the tank height and if you are using an in sump skimmer. Spend 80 bucks and get you a Mag. I have two that are going on 7 years full time use. Save the big bucks for an RD or Askoll pump for a real skimmer.
Click to expand...
1+ i have a mag and it works great on my 135... and its quiet..
 
The ATB is an AWESOME pump... FWIW, ATB designs most of their equipment off of Royal Exclusiv designs (manufactures of Red Dragon pumps and Bubble King Skimmers). The ATB Flowstar is their returns, and the Airstar is for skimmers - two different pumps.

There is no comparison of the quality of parts put into ATB pumps or RD pumps, unfortunately some of the new models of RDs have been recalled due to certain issues (IIRC, the impellers). Anyways I would buy an ATB over RD anyday, personally. They both have low energy consumption and little to no heat compared to say a MAGdrive pump.

I currently use Eheim (1262) and absolutely love them, but might opt for an ATB down the line if I need more flow for a reactor or the like (Eheim 1262 pushes ~900 gph and that's their largest).

FWIW, that's a TON of flow for a return pump for a 120 IMHO. I run the Eheim 1262 on a 180 gallon, but it goes through a chiller first with plenty of elbows so the display might see 650-700 gph. For your size tank I'd look into the Eheim 1260 or 1262 for quietness, reliability, low heat, low energy, etc.
 
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I like the eheim. The flowstar looks like it will be too powerful for me.

So which should I get, Eheim 1260 or a Mag?
 
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