Reeflo Versus Iwaki

[robby2782]

I've been reading on both forums trying to get an idea of a better pump to replace my mag 24 and run my oceans motion 4 way I just ordered, and I'm starting to lean toward an Iwaki pump.

It seems like a lot of people are saying the seals will leak on the reeflo pumps around 12-18 months on average even though they're more energy efficient than Iwaki. I've also read reviews where people claim to have ran Iwaki pumps for 20 years straight with 0 issues.

Has anyone had issues with their reeflo pumps leaking or a several year success record of it not?

I'd love to hear some input...

 

[robby2782]

Anyone?

 

[lakeviewink]

I run an Iwaki 100rlt on my main return and a 55rlt on my skimmer and I love both of them. Energy schmenergy I say. They are built tough and run like monsters. The big one draws 2.5 amps the little one is under 2. Again, big deal. The main is 6 yrs old with ZERO issues. The other is a year old and obviously still like new. There is a reason for the high resale value… just my .03

 

[robby2782]

How many gallons is your system? Mine is a 180, but I plan to run it off my chiller and my bio pellets too.

 

[lakeviewink]

200g DD, 75g sump. I run my Ca reactor and dual BRS reactor on one manifold and a bypass back to refugium on another and still have plenty of reserve flow from basement sump to 1st floor DT, around 1400gph

 

[robby2782]

Do you know what 2.5 amps equates to from a watt perspective?

 

[bct15]

http://www.rapidtables.com/calc/electric/watt-volt-amp-calculator.htm

Just enter in your voltage and amperage, it will give you the rest. I've been bouncing back between these two pumps. Was originally thinking reeflo, but now I'm thinking iwaki because they handle head pressure so much better.

 

[robby2782]

I've read so many horror stories on the reeflo pumps leaking at the seals since they get worn down by the salt. Apparently head pressure just causes them to leak sooner. On the other forum someone mentioned using a carbide seal designed for heavier wear, but I'm still thinking the Iwaki would be better since it's a proven pump.

The only knock on it is it's louder and uses more electricity. I was just hoping someone would step in and defend Reeflo and say they've been running there's for 5+ years without leaks.

 

[robby2782]

So based on the calculator it's showing 390 watts. That seems like 3x more than the reeflo.

 

[trido]

I cant say anything about the iwaki, but I have ran and rebuilt more than one Reeflo over the years. I've had hammerhead's and barracuda's and they are great pumps. Your correct though, after about two years they need a new seal kit. About a one hour job including removing it from the tank.

 

[pgr11]

Been running my reeflo super dart gold for a couple years with no issues. Love it and highly recommend it

 

[robby2782]

Been running my reeflo super dart gold for a couple years with no issues. Love it and highly recommend it

Do you have it throttled down or have a lot of head pressure on it? $100 less with 3x less electricity usage is what makes the decision difficult against a proven pump like Iwaki.

 

[robby2782]

I cant say anything about the iwaki, but I have ran and rebuilt more than one Reeflo over the years. I've had hammerhead's and barracuda's and they are great pumps. Your correct though, after about two years they need a new seal kit. About a one hour job including removing it from the tank.

How do you know when it needs to be replaced? Does it start off as a very small leak?

 

[Acroholic]

I have developed an intense dislike of Reeflo pumps because of their leaking seals.

I think many people buy pumps vastly overrated for their needs. I have a 465 gallon tank and a 155 gallon sump. Net gallons of the system about 450. I bought the HH/Barracuda Hybrid after reading that lots of folks with tanks in this volume range using them. I even installed the lower flow Barracuda impeller, and ultimately I had to ball valve it back the flow about 45%. Brand new the pump had a broken seal, which I replaced myself. This same pump started leaking at the seal again at 14 months use. What a PIA.

Finally, I bought an Iwaki 70 and replace the stupid HH Hybrid and I could not be happier. Reeflo CS is great, but the seals on these pumps are terrible, low quality, and they require way too much work from the owner.

The Iwaki is a perfect match to my system, does not require any ball valving back, and runs my two peripheral reactors. I'll take the higher electrical usage any day for a pump that doesn't require major surgery every year.

You should not get a flood from a leaking Reeflo seal, just slow drip, IME. But I absolutely hate having to completely disassemble the volute of this thing yearly, when you can run an Iwaki or Pan World for a decade without any issue.

Very glad to see here are some Reeflo users without issues, but that has not been my experience.

 

[pgr11]

Do you have it throttled down or have a lot of head pressure on it? $100 less with 3x less electricity usage is what makes the decision difficult against a proven pump like Iwaki.

Its running my tank with 4 returns and all lines are slightly throttled back. Also running my reactors. Its designed to be throttled back. I know they had some seal issues but I also know they have great customer service. Pump is super super quiet and very energy efficient. I think its the better choice

 

[robby2782]

I have developed an intense dislike of Reeflo pumps because of their leaking seals.

I think many people buy pumps vastly overrated for their needs. I have a 465 gallon tank and a 155 gallon sump. Net gallons of the system about 450. I bought the HH/Barracuda Hybrid after reading that lots of folks with tanks in this volume range using them. I even installed the lower flow Barracuda impeller, and ultimately I had to ball valve it back the flow about 45%. Brand new the pump had a broken seal, which I replaced myself. This same pump started leaking at the seal again at 14 months use. What a PIA.

Finally, I bought an Iwaki 70 and replace the stupid HH Hybrid and I could not be happier. Reeflo CS is great, but the seals on these pumps are terrible, low quality, and they require way too much work from the owner.

The Iwaki is a perfect match to my system, does not require any ball valving back, and runs my two peripheral reactors. I'll take the higher electrical usage any day for a pump that doesn't require major surgery every year.

Thank you for this input. Unfortunately this seems to be a pretty common complaint which is why I started this thread. Maybe it doesn't happen to everyone, but even if it's a 20% chance I'll have these problems, it's not worth it to me.

I'm curious as to why you go a 70 series and not a 100 for your 400+ gallon system. The 70 series is 322 watts based on the chart. Am I overkilling it with a 100 series for my 180? All I know is between the mag 24 and 18, I'm running 500 watts between the two which is nuts.

 

[robby2782]

Its running my tank with 4 returns and all lines are slightly throttled back. Also running my reactors. Its designed to be throttled back. I know they had some seal issues but I also know they have great customer service. Pump is super super quiet and very energy efficient. I think its the better choice

Thank you for this information. I agree it's the better choice if the pump doesn't give you problems. Have you read anything about the carbide seals that some people have recommended on sunplay.com? It's like a $40 seal, but apparently it's ozone resistant as well as other chemicals used in pools. The question I had here was they only mentioned the seal working on the hammerhead, not the dart. I'd hate to be the guinea pig for it if it didn't work.

 

[Acroholic]

This is my first Iwaki, but I have many years of experience using Pan World pumps, same design basically. For me, the extra GPH flow rate of the Iwaki 100 vs the 70 is not worth the extra 130 watts or so it draws.

Also, the Iwakis are pressure rated, and in the years of using Pan World pressure pumps, they flow a ton of water, more than they are rated for, or at least that is how it appears to me. So if I think I need x flow rate in a pressure rated pump, I have learned to go 1 model less than I think I need, if that makes any sense. The 70 I have runs the sump at what I would call a moderate flow rate, and runs two 4" x 20" MRC media reactors (GFO and Carbon). The 70 actually flows more at full flow (no ball valving) than I had the HH hybrid set at via a ball valve restriction.

The Reeflo pumps are more energy efficient, and if you restrict the flow you will use less electricity, whereas you won't save much electricity with the Iwakis if you restrict the flow, which is related to the design of the pump. So I think it is more essential to match your flow needs to take advantage of the Iwaki type, meaning match your needs so you can use the Iwaki without having to restrict the outflow, because the Iwaki will use the same amount of electricity regardless of how much you restrict the output, whereas the Reeflo will use less electricity the more you ball valve it down.

 

[robby2782]

So the 70 model serves as your return also? I understand what you're saying, but I think it's only a 70 watt difference according to specs.

 

[trido]

How do you know when it needs to be replaced? Does it start off as a very small leak?

Yes, salt creep will be what gives it away. It can be ignored for a long time before you get around to replacing the seal but neglect will cause the shaft to eventually corrode. I've never had a reeflo fail on me.