Red Dragon Pumps?

[ReeferRob]

Quiet One over Ehiem, hands down. More affordable, smaller units, push more gph and off fewer watts!

I have a QO4000 on my cube and love how quiet it is. Flow is just right at like 50 watts or less!
And they don't cost an arm and a leg and props are easy to find.

 

[Paul_N]

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?

This is something to consider also. I'm not sure what else you have that requires a pump to feed it like GFO, carbon or Calcium reactor, but you can have the return pump run all of them. That is the reason I will be going with the 1500 so I can make a manifold and eliminate the extra pumps, wattage and $. Just a thought.

 

[fatcasey]

+1 to ehiem or quiet-one
ATB is taking it the next level in quality and efficiency though...
I don't have anything against Mags...I use them....for utility pumps and moving water through the house. To loud, hot, and super inefficient compared to your alternatives.

 

[Viva'sReef]

In my experience Quiet one pumps are GARBAGE. Absolute Garbage. I've had 2 brand new 4000 fail on me in 1 year.
Mags are ok but they are energy hogs, and kind of loud.

The Ehiem is your best bet, its a dam good pump and super reliable. And its roughly half the price of the ATB. If you want to spend a bit more the ATB is a pretty sexy looking pump if your into that LOL.

 

[Reef Pets]

I agree, purchase an "oversized" pump and install a valve. This way you can run other equipment off of the same pump if you decide to add something down the road.

This is something to consider also. I'm not sure what else you have that requires a pump to feed it like GFO, carbon or Calcium reactor, but you can have the return pump run all of them. That is the reason I will be going with the 1500 so I can make a manifold and eliminate the extra pumps, wattage and $. Just a thought.

 

[stunreefer Verified Sponsor]

This is something to consider also. I'm not sure what else you have that requires a pump to feed it like GFO, carbon or Calcium reactor, but you can have the return pump run all of them. That is the reason I will be going with the 1500 so I can make a manifold and eliminate the extra pumps, wattage and $. Just a thought.

Absolutely... I only run ONE pump in my sump, less the skimmer pump. Lower cost and nice easy maintenance. Plus another bonus - keep an extra one on hand in case the one your using fails (although I've had my "spare" Eheim in box over two years still barnd new ) and your ready to keep rocking!

+I don't have anything against Mags...I use them....for utility pumps and moving water through the house. To loud, hot, and super inefficient compared to your alternatives.

I also use a MAG12 for water changes. Makes it quick! I'll let it sit in the mixing bin for a couple hours to heat up the water too, LOL.

In my experience Quiet one pumps are GARBAGE. Absolute Garbage. I've had 2 brand new 4000 fail on me in 1 year.

I recall someone I knew having issues with them... didn't recall it was you though! :angel:

 

[Dylan]

Argh.. can I turn down the pump? For now I will only be using it as a return pump, no reactors, etc..

And is an Eheim or a Maxijet more reliable?

 

[Ike]

Keep in mind all you really need turnover wise for your sump would be about 350-600 gph... I suggest you just get an Eheim.

 

[Paul_N]

Argh.. can I turn down the pump? For now I will only be using it as a return pump, no reactors, etc..

And is an Eheim or a Maxijet more reliable?

You can definitely throttle it back with no issues and actually lowers the wattage.

 

[aquafrags]

i think the ATB and Red Dragon in that size pump are very similar, they are both great return pumps and very efficient.

I have a Red Dragon 8.2 running on my 300, it runs @ 70 watts and moves a lot of water about 1800 to 2000 gph, dont ask how much i spent on the pump!?!?!

 

[stunreefer Verified Sponsor]

And is an Eheim or a Maxijet more reliable?

For a return you'll want an Eheim. With that said I've never had problems with either - I use MJs in my QT tank for "in tank" flow.

 

[Dylan]

Okay, I'll go with an oversized Eheim and tone it down. Thanks guys!

 

[Blackhawk Fan]

Okay, I'll go with an oversized Eheim and tone it down. Thanks guys!

Excellent choice.

 

[RWinfrey]

these are really nice though (so pretty)

 

[Dylan]

How about the new Maxijets? They have a 3 year warranty...

 

[Hahnmeister]

IMO, the Askoll motors are more efficient and of higher quality than the eheims. Eheims are like an old Mercedes... you will never hear me talkin' trash about them, but there are newer and better things out there. Eheims for instance, aren't the quietest or coolest running even (Aquamedic Oceanrunners make more flow&pressure for less electricity if I remember correctly, and they cost less). One Oceanrunner 6500 would work well here, and cost less.

The one thing I dont like about eheims now is how expensive they have become. When the 1262 retailed for $120-ish, it was a good buy, but now I see this thing listing for closer to $200. IMO, you should just buy and mod a Laguna 1500, or buy the 'ready to go' version for just a little more from ATB. Now, I used to score Laguna 1500's a couple years ago for about $100, and now I know they are more, but still... if you look on ebay, you can find them for $100 here and there still. Or, just get the ATB and dont worry about it. Considering what the eheim 1262's and 1260's go for these days, the 20 or so extra bucks buys you a much better pump.

As for differences with the ATB and Red Dragon... none really, just price. There might be some slight spec differences, but thats about it. The materials are the same. I know there are claims by RE out there of being better due to a 'custom motor' or 'Titanium Shaft', but this is BS. Askoll doesnt make custom motors, and the Titanium shaft is a costly and unwarranted option only. OTOH, with ATB, you get some great service that leaves RE in the dust.

Here's some history... how I and some others got to the bottom of what a Red Dragon really is and how to 'DIY' some great Laguna/Askoll based motors. I spec out the motors and how to make the pumps (mostly for skimmers). Since then, there has been a 'boom' of Laguna based skimmer pumps, to say the least...
DIY Red Dragon Pumps, gathering ideas. - Reef Central Online Community

 

[Dylan]

IMO, the Askoll motors are more efficient and of higher quality than the eheims. Eheims are like an old Mercedes... you will never hear me talkin' trash about them, but there are newer and better things out there. Eheims for instance, aren't the quietest or coolest running even (Aquamedic Oceanrunners make more flow&pressure for less electricity if I remember correctly, and they cost less). One Oceanrunner 6500 would work well here, and cost less.

The one thing I dont like about eheims now is how expensive they have become. When the 1262 retailed for $120-ish, it was a good buy, but now I see this thing listing for closer to $200. IMO, you should just buy and mod a Laguna 1500, or buy the 'ready to go' version for just a little more from ATB. Now, I used to score Laguna 1500's a couple years ago for about $100, and now I know they are more, but still... if you look on ebay, you can find them for $100 here and there still. Or, just get the ATB and dont worry about it. Considering what the eheim 1262's and 1260's go for these days, the 20 or so extra bucks buys you a much better pump.

As for differences with the ATB and Red Dragon... none really, just price. There might be some slight spec differences, but thats about it. The materials are the same. I know there are claims by RE out there of being better due to a 'custom motor' or 'Titanium Shaft', but this is BS. Askoll doesnt make custom motors, and the Titanium shaft is a costly and unwarranted option only. OTOH, with ATB, you get some great service that leaves RE in the dust.

Here's some history... how I and some others got to the bottom of what a Red Dragon really is and how to 'DIY' some great Laguna/Askoll based motors. I spec out the motors and how to make the pumps (mostly for skimmers). Since then, there has been a 'boom' of Laguna based skimmer pumps, to say the least...
DIY Red Dragon Pumps, gathering ideas. - Reef Central Online Community

Wow, that was helpful! Thanks! I'm still looking at the ATB. Do you have any opinions on the maxi-jets?