quietest return pump

[golf nut]

Originally Posted by sphelps

Now you're just being silly, trying to twist words to your liking. First of all it was "food for thought" which means something to think about, but you chose to bring the whole thread off topic in an attempt to find holes in something that doesn't have any. Second that's not what I said at all, but I did say the exact opposite.
Maybe, just maybe a skimmer manufacturer doesn't know what size return pump you should run on your tank, that's all I was saying from the start. After all they don't usually make return pumps or full aquarium systems but rather a single component. Plus it seems some people already disagree with the ratings provided by such manufacturers, so why would you think they would be experts on other components?

The OP requested a quiet return pump, I asked what was the reason for such a large amount of flow(read noisy).and backed up the statement regarding what the skimmer mfg suggested the ideal pump size would be.

Your answer was that the manufacturer was no expert, you continue to push high sump turnover rates and consequently ignore the manufactures suggestions, if the OP used a pump of the correct size he would not have the noise issue he is getting nor an expensive bill to purchase or operate such a large pump as you are suggesting.




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[mr.wilson]

Red Dragon pumps are quiet, but not worth paying $900 for. It's a $10 wholesale Laguna pond pump with a custom volute (shroud & impeller).

They fall short on pressure, but would work fine for a sump return. The motor is designed to be water cooled, so you may have excessive heat transfer and subsequently a shorter pump life.

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by mr.wilson

Red Dragon pumps are quiet, but not worth paying $900 for. It's a $10 wholesale Laguna pond pump with a custom volute (shroud & impeller).

They fall short on pressure, but would work fine for a sump return. The motor is designed to be water cooled, so you may have excessive heat transfer and subsequently a shorter pump life.

While the motors are made by Hagen, they are made specifically for RD, they are not standard Laguna pumps, they just have the same motor housings for obvious reasons. All that custom stuff is what you're paying for; they put in things that other pumps simply don't have like carbide bearings, titanium shafts, de-liming bypass (which reduces heat and lime build up on impeller), and high efficiency motors. Last time I checked water cooled was better than air cooled and these pumps certainly don't run hot, at least 50 degrees cooler than the Darts I previously owned. In addition these pumps can be run internal which no other pump of the same flow rating can do.

It's certainly not cheap but it's not a rip off either, if someone could make these for what some assume, I assure there would be a few more competitors on the market. These pumps are not for everyone but for some the extra money is justified.

[mr.wilson]

Originally Posted by sphelps

While the motors are made by Hagen, they are made specifically for RD, they are not standard Laguna pumps, they just have the same motor housings for obvious reasons. All that custom stuff is what you're paying for; they put in things that other pumps simply don't have like carbide bearings, titanium shafts, de-liming bypass (which reduces heat and lime build up on impeller), and high efficiency motors. Last time I checked water cooled was better than air cooled and these pumps certainly don't run hot, at least 50 degrees cooler than the Darts I previously owned. In addition these pumps can be run internal which no other pump of the same flow rating can do.

It's certainly not cheap but it's not a rip off either, if someone could make these for what some assume, I assure there would be a few more competitors on the market. These pumps are not for everyone but for some the extra money is justified.

The Eheim Hobby Pump is equally as good as the Red Dragon, but unfortunately they aren't offered in higher output. The Aqua-Medic Ocean Runners are also quiet and reliable, but limited to 6500LPH and the impeller shroud is made of brittle plastic. The Deltec Intervall series is supposed to be very good, but Deltec USA doesn't supply them. http://www.deltec-aquaristic.com/

Until something better (stronger) comes along, I use Poseidon pumps for return pumps even if I have to use two of them. They are available as pressure or volume pumps, dead quiet, and no significant heat transfer. They run at about 130F externally.

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by mr.wilson

The Eheim Hobby Pump is equally as good as the Red Dragon, but unfortunately they aren't offered in higher output. The Aqua-Medic Ocean Runners are also quiet and reliable, but limited to 6500LPH and the impeller shroud is made of brittle plastic. The Deltec Intervall series is supposed to be very good, but Deltec USA doesn't supply them. http://www.deltec-aquaristic.com/

Until something better (stronger) comes along, I use Poseidon pumps for return pumps even if I have to use two of them. They are available as pressure or volume pumps, dead quiet, and no significant heat transfer. They run at about 130F externally.

Absolutely, the eheims are good pumps but unfortunately don't meet everyone's flow requirements like you said. I don't have experience with the other pumps you mentioned but maybe it's hard to find a real comparison because it doesn't exist. Making a high flow magnetically driven pump that runs quiet and cool just might be difficult which would explain why prices are high.

[mr.wilson]

Originally Posted by sphelps

Absolutely, the eheims are good pumps but unfortunately don't meet everyone's flow requirements like you said. I don't have experience with the other pumps you mentioned but maybe it's hard to find a real comparison because it doesn't exist. Making a high flow magnetically driven pump that runs quiet and cool just might be difficult which would explain why prices are high.

I think it's the low demand for such pumps. While I'm sure your local distributor can't keep Red Dragon pumps in stock, it's still a tiny market compared to the industrial pumps we currently use in the hobby.

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by mr.wilson

I think it's the low demand for such pumps. While I'm sure your local distributor can't keep Red Dragon pumps in stock, it's still a tiny market compared to the industrial pumps we currently use in the hobby.

True but I believe it's a small market because prices are high not the opposite, just like any other high end product. It's certainly not for everybody, people have to make their own decisions which products will best fit their needs.

[sphelps]

Mr. Wilson got me curious when he mentioned the temperature his pump ran at so I checked mine tonight.



It's the RD 6.5m3, hottest part was at the top back corner, was around 92F but dropped to 90.8F when I snapped the shot.

[Joe Reefer]

I have to disagree, Red Dragon pumps are far superior to Eheim. If you have the money for a Red Dragon then buy one, you wont be disappointed. That said, poseidon makes a very quiet pump also, but you are limited to lower flow rates and massive amounts of heat transfer.

Originally Posted by mr.wilson

The Eheim Hobby Pump is equally as good as the Red Dragon, but unfortunately they aren't offered in higher output. The Aqua-Medic Ocean Runners are also quiet and reliable, but limited to 6500LPH and the impeller shroud is made of brittle plastic. The Deltec Intervall series is supposed to be very good, but Deltec USA doesn't supply them. http://www.deltec-aquaristic.com/

Until something better (stronger) comes along, I use Poseidon pumps for return pumps even if I have to use two of them. They are available as pressure or volume pumps, dead quiet, and no significant heat transfer. They run at about 130F externally.

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by Mr OM

The OP requested a quiet return pump, I asked what was the reason for such a large amount of flow(read noisy).and backed up the statement regarding what the skimmer mfg suggested the ideal pump size would be.

Your answer was that the manufacturer was no expert, you continue to push high sump turnover rates and consequently ignore the manufactures suggestions, if the OP used a pump of the correct size he would not have the noise issue he is getting nor an expensive bill to purchase or operate such a large pump as you are suggesting.

That's just it, the guy wanted a quiet return pump with a given flow and price was no object. I didn't push high flow, it was already requested. I never said low flow was a bad thing but rather advantages exist for both so it comes down to personal preference. If anyone is pushing it's you dude, not me. I don't know why you're making this personal.