Red Sea reefer 170 return pump?

[redwhiteandink]

Hello I ordered reefer 170 a lot of people are running vectra S1 but is that overkill as Red Sea recommends 530 GPH

What’s the best pump for it and can you overdo the flow through the sump?

 

[GoVols]

@HolisticBear

Went with the RO VarioS-4 on his reefer 170

VarioS-4 Controllable DC Pump (1050 GPH)

Reef Octopus VarioS DC pumps give you enhanced performance and precise control of flow through your aquarium's reactors, sump, or closed-loop system. With complete control through the VarioS Controller, you can control the flow of the pump, enter feed modes (15 or 60 minutes), add a safety float...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

No one best, but along of bang for the buck, with great reviews.

 

[BantyRooster97]

I asked the same question over in the general discussion forum under Red Sea tank discussion. Seems for-15, varios2 and s1 all good if you want a controllable pump.

I currently have a sicce 3.0 on my 170 and i’m Looking to change. Flow is fine, I just don’t trust sicce pumps.

 

[HolisticBear]

@HolisticBear

Went with the RO VarioS-4 on his reefer 170

VarioS-4 Controllable DC Pump (1050 GPH)

Reef Octopus VarioS DC pumps give you enhanced performance and precise control of flow through your aquarium's reactors, sump, or closed-loop system. With complete control through the VarioS Controller, you can control the flow of the pump, enter feed modes (15 or 60 minutes), add a safety float...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

No one best, but along of bang for the buck, with great reviews.

I think I went with the Varios2 actually. It's a great pump, a few people go with the larger one when running manifolds or trying to having alot of sump turnover. I think the 2 is more than sufficient, but you should have a powerhead or gyre in the tank for more flow.

 

[BantyRooster97]

Yeah, I have an MP10 in the tank for add'l flow. I think it's between the S2 & Cor-15. I can probably run either at 50% - 70% and generate plenty of flow while not pushing the pump to the limit.

Varios 2 would probably need to be run at 80%-90%, or get the v4 & run it a little less.

 

[NanoMike]

I’m running a vectra s2 on mine

 

[GoVols]

I think I went with the Varios2 actually. It's a great pump, a few people go with the larger one when running manifolds or trying to having alot of sump turnover. I think the 2 is more than sufficient, but you should have a powerhead or gyre in the tank for more flow.

..... ;Eggonface

What are you running on your custom coast 2 coast?

 

[Hapa]

I‘m running a jebao dcp 3500 on my Reefer 170
Super silent and is running really well.

 

[HolisticBear]

What are you running on your custom coast 2 coast?

V2 on the 170, and a V6 on the 80G+20G(sump). I'm a big fan of the Reef Octopos pumps. For the money, I think they are just a great deal and just a solid pump.

 

[GoVols]

I'm a big fan of the Reef Octopos pumps. For the money, I think they are just a great deal and just a solid pump.

Micheal,
I can't dispute that, and the reviews are really solid too.

Bout the best bang for the buck.

 

[zapbap99]

I‘m running a jebao dcp 3500 on my Reefer 170
Super silent and is running really well.

hey did you have happen to use an adapter i know the reefer 170 is 5/8 inch id, and the stock 3500 is 3/4 od for the nozzles? i just ordered this tank and pump so yea

 

[swiss1939]

@HolisticBear

Went with the RO VarioS-4 on his reefer 170

VarioS-4 Controllable DC Pump (1050 GPH)

Reef Octopus VarioS DC pumps give you enhanced performance and precise control of flow through your aquarium's reactors, sump, or closed-loop system. With complete control through the VarioS Controller, you can control the flow of the pump, enter feed modes (15 or 60 minutes), add a safety float...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

No one best, but along of bang for the buck, with great reviews.

question about your varioS-4 return pump.. do you have to constantly adjust the overflow valve to keep the overflow level somewhat constant?

I have a sicce silent 2.0 return pump which was rock steady overflow levels for the first month but once I got algae in the tank, Im now constantly making minor adjustments to keep it level instead of going low or trickling over the emergency. Was thinking maybe I need a better return pump that can handle fluctuating water levels in the return section better or something.

 

[CenCalReef]

@swiss1939 Hey I have the Varios-2 on my Red Sea Reefer 170, I run it on the third setting of five, and always have steady flow in my return, in my opinion I think it’s your Red Sea Diaphragm Valve on your return line that is the reason your constantly adjusting. It’s probably dirty and is one of the reasons most reefers change this out to a true Gate Valve. I have not cleaned mine once since owning, but have noticed onvery or twice due to laziness that if I throw in some food pellets that don’t have enough time to sink and they make they’re way into the overflow I can hear the emergency drain get louder as the pellets clog the diaphragm and eventually dissolve and make their way through into the sump and into the filter floss. So perhaps yours just gets some algae or debris caught in it and thus your constantly adjusting. Have you ever taken this valve apart? I guess they’re designed to be taken apart for maintenance which in my opinion is just more of a hassle than clean gate valve.

 

[swiss1939]

I have not cleaned it, but I did find a youtube video of cleaning one after I had posted this earlier today. I plan on opening it up to clean it tomorrow!

 

[CenCalReef]

Hopefully you find something worth explaining the constant adjustment, I am currently looking into doing the Gate Valve mod as I am a fan of a nice working Spears Gate Valve straight set it and forget it no need to worry about a diaphragm and excellent adjustments. @swiss1939

 

[Duffam3434]

Just bought a Reefer 170 G2 and saw this thread. Is a Varios-4 overkill? BRS doesn't have the Varios-2 in stock or should I just look for the Varios 2 in stock somewhere else?

 

[SFREEF3R]

Any recommendations on plumbing for attaching the Various-4 to the reefer 170 return? It looks like the Reefer 170 has a 5/8" return tube. The Varios has a couple of options - a 1" barb (that can be glued to a 3/4" barb fitting) and a 1" PVC slip fitting. Trying to find the simplest plumbing option to bridge the two. Any suggestions?