Here's another thing to consider; Darren did tests on power consumption on the Ampmaster and both he and I called Dolphin to confirm, these pumps draw double claimed on the website (the fellow at Dolphin agreed and gave a long winded explanation). 
 
Terry, my comments on the suspended sand was more of possible reason for the quick demise on Darren's pump.  I have a 24" deep tank and have had no problem (I've taken it apart to be sure).  The design of the pump is, as mentioned by Victor, questionable and I think it will be a problem down the road.  The same sand that go in the Dolphin pump also got into the Gen X pump in Darren's system and caused no problem there. 
 
I don't know if you caught it or not but I mentioned Gen X's Mak 5 as a possible substitute.  It's pricey but if the quality is anything like the Mak 4 it may be worth it.  I think (off the top of my head) it runs at around 2000gph and can handle head pressure. 
		
	
		
		
		
		
			
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				Troy 
 
lusus naturae
			 
		
		
		
		
	
		
		
	
	
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