Reeflo barracuda for closed loop?

[CorbetJackson50]

I bought a 250g 60”x36”x24” and it came with 2 reeflo barracuda pumps (3500 gph) and one swordtail (1750gph). I’m trying to decide what to do. I certainly won’t use all 3 but tossing the idea around of using the barracuda for flow and maybe manifold to some equipment and use the swordtail for the main return. I do plan on running a 50g frag tank and 100g sump/fuge.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

I like your idea. Here's a few bump. Maybe others will chime in

 

[jda]

Barracuda is a very powerful pump and probably pretty wattage hungry for a CL. You can probably find a more efficient pump like an Ampmaster 3500 or a Dart. Personally, I use AmpMaster pumps since the warranty is better, you can get the fitted for saltwater seals... and I have never had a Sequence/Reeflo pump last more than 2 years without needing seals, motor, bearings or catching on fire (yes, this happened).

In any case, lower wattage flow pumps are what you are after, not high head high wattage pumps. The difference between the Barracuda and something like a AmpMaster 3500 or a Dart is about 200 watts per hour.

 

[CorbetJackson50]

Bump. Still on the fence with this build. Problem is jda is I already have the barracuda pumps.

 

[lavoisier]

I've used Reeflo pumps for years and like them a lot. If you do the math it will take you several years to break even on a similar quality DC pump.

 

[BackToTheReef]

No experience with reeflo pumps but I am looking at using them for my build as well (or the ampmaster, haven't decided) but one idea I am kicking around is using one of these AC pump controller to vary the flow on my closed loops and or ramp up/down to create varied flow.

Not sure how well it will work or what kind of options it has b/c I haven't found much info about them yet. There are a few options like this out there.

 

[ca1ore]

I’ve not had good experience with these pumps. They alway leaked on me. Not something I’d chance for a closed loop.

 

[lavoisier]

No experience with reeflo pumps but I am looking at using them for my build as well (or the ampmaster, haven't decided) but one idea I am kicking around is using one of these AC pump controller to vary the flow on my closed loops and or ramp up/down to create varied flow.

Not sure how well it will work or what kind of options it has b/c I haven't found much info about them yet. There are a few options like this out there.

Check with Reeflo on using an AC pump controller. I rely on my powerheads to vary the flow in the tank through the day.