pump for 180gal 16ft high

jtReef · 10-17-2006, 06:01 PM

Ok here is a fun one.
My new house is almost built so the 180gal is finishing it's plan.
I will be putting the 75gal fuge in the basement flowing up to the 180 on the first floor. The 180 will have the dual built in magna flows. (i'm estimating about 16ft straight up between the 2 tanks
Questions
1) Should i get one single pump and split it for both returns or get 2 different pumps which will help for redundancy (if 1 or 2 i will be doing a small split on a ball valve to cycle water directly back to the fuge so that I can keep it running at full and also use it to water changes / breeding tanks.)
2) A good recommendation on some pumps for the job. I am not planning to plumb the 75gal fuge so my options are to do an inwater pump / pumps or external that allows me to mount it above the tank somehow and have the intake going through pvc first.

Thanks again for your expert advise.

OoNickoC · 10-18-2006, 01:35 AM

With a boeing 747 fuel reserve mod this bad boy should do the trick....
eBay: Pramac Semi-Trash WATER PUMP 4hp HONDA 9840gph NEW (item 280037163613 end time Oct-18-06 05:49:18 PDT) ........... j/k

I would go with a sump to match the size of the tank if it is to be hidden in the basement.....as for the pump
I like the dolphin pumps, very quiet. If your running 16' of head with 4-6 (I would recomend 4 outpus...not a hard mod) outputs the dolphin 3600sp would do well and could be used with power to spare for future projects.

jtReef · 10-19-2006, 02:23 PM

Thanks Nick.
So you think one of these will do the trick or should I get 2 smaller ones?
I am re-thinking the sump. I could go a floor down from the 180 tank to a 75gal fuge on a stand. Find someone to drill it. Down to a rubbermade sump with skimmer and pump.

Tangster · 10-19-2006, 03:17 PM

Might want to look into a Hayward pool pump ? They can be ran on 240v and will run longer and cooler.. Far more volume and pressure for the money and less expensive to run. A 1.5 HP Hayward super will deliver something like 12 + gal gpm at 27 ft if I recall correctly . and have a pre filter screen also.There run about 280.00 to 300.00 . Just another option to look at Oh just make sure that you oder the saltwater impeller and seals. May be a stock item still ? Just ask to be sure

OoNickoC · 10-21-2006, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtReef

Thanks Nick.
So you think one of these will do the trick or should I get 2 smaller ones?
I am re-thinking the sump. I could go a floor down from the 180 tank to a 75gal fuge on a stand. Find someone to drill it. Down to a rubbermade sump with skimmer and pump.

I would go with the one pump, alot less plumbing and hassel....just make sure its a quality pump that can handle the amount of head youll be running. If your down for more plumbing and a bit more money the 2 pump setup can give more options for future projects and be seen as a failsafe. It a matter of time and preference. As for the fuge being seperated from the sump...I think its always the best way to go so you can actually dedicate the whole tank to growing organisms, and dictate the flow of the fuge rather than running the overflows into the area that is supposed to be isolated and tranquil. Sounds like your on a good start to a solid system.

Blade_Runner · 10-21-2006, 10:24 AM

I use a 1.5hp 2" pool and spa pump to drive my 300/90 combo. I just T it off to drive the different returns (5 sets including the skimmer). I had initially used a 2hp and it was massive overkill. The 1.5 is also massive overkill and has to be checked back, but it doesn't shake the house. I always planned on a backup and 2hp is now the backup up pump.

This is the 1.5hp:
eBay: 1.5 hp. 2 Speed 2" Spa Pump 115V New FREE SHIP! (item 4430841733 end time Oct-30-06 21:05:12 PST)

It has been running for over a year and shows NO signs of any wear. The beast is a rock. For under $200 delivered it was hard to say no. For 180 the 1.5 is probably much more than you need. Frankly, a 1hp would probably work for me and save some amps. Try this:

eBay: 1 hp. 1 Speed 2" Spa Pump 115V New Aqua Premier Vico (item 4433641386 end time Nov-11-06 19:01:08 PST)

You might be able to get away with 1.5" pipes too, but 2" is less restrictive allowing lower pressure for more flow with less microbubbles. Perry used to have flow charts abailable too. Oh, do your self a favor. Have Perry add a power cord for a few bucks. It will save you a trip to the hardware store. He has a pretty cheap price on unions too.

BTW, you are pretty close by. Call or PM me if you want to see what I did. Learn from my mistakes...

Gresham · 10-21-2006, 11:02 AM

I'd go with a Sequence myself. What GPH/GPM do you want to achieve at 16' of head? Gimme that, and I'll recommend the most efficient pump for this use

jtReef · 10-23-2006, 05:51 AM

Thanks everyone. The 180 is already drilled by AGA and I am not sure when it says 120gph as in 120 per overflow or 120 in total. It has 2 built in overflows. I want to max it out. and have some extra gph. This way as I grow out my other systems in the basement i can do so. But currently I will have a t with ball valves above the pump to just cycle the remaining gph back to the sump.

Blade_Runner · 10-23-2006, 03:21 PM

That should be 120 per overflow. I think I have the same tank from AGA in my office except it's the 210.

jonathan · 10-27-2006, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtReef

i'm estimating about 16ft straight up between the 2 tanks

what's going to be the head loss in that situation?