Return pump plumbing quesion

acer · Jan 21, 2020

You have to love this hobby - after posting a few days ago that everything is finally going well. I arrive home last night and my Hammerhead pump is making a high pitched whining sound - its 18 months old. After reading a bit about the issue these pumps have it sounds like it needs new bearings - blahh.. I had purchased a never used but new Skimz leopard L110 recently after looking up on the website that it has the same exact 1.5 inch input and outputs as my hammerhead. Figured better safe than sorry and it would be a great backup. SO, I am thinking- hey for once I am ready for this "emergency" as I plumed the Hammer head in a way that I used true unions and it should be a breeze to switch out the pumps. So I grab the new Skimz pump and take it out of the box and take a look at it and the input/output look too small - sure enough they are NOT 1.5 inch, but 1.25. So, the 100thousand dollar question. Should I re-plumb from this new pump to the display tank up a floor with new flexible 1.25 PVC ( $50 plus time and work) or just use a 1.5 -1.25 adapter by the pump and continue to use the 1.5 inch flexible PVC already in place? Opinions?? will the pump be able to handle the extra water weight and push it properly about 11 feet without burning out in a month? What type of actual flow will I get using 1.5 pipe vs 1.25? Why are the websites wrong about the pump having 1.50 inch input and outputs!! Was the pumps performance measured using 1.25 inch pipe or not??

Link top new pump: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/leopard-l110-circulation-pump-2905-gph-skimz.html

Thanks in advance to anybody with helpful knowledge.

mfinn · Jan 21, 2020

If it were me, I'd get the 1-1/2" to 1-1/4" adapter.

JoshH · Jan 21, 2020

I'll second the adapter, keeps things flexible for the future and a little extra width in return plumbing is usually suggested anyway...

acer · Jan 21, 2020

ok well I am off to home depot or Lowes - hope fully one will have it.

acer · Jan 21, 2020

LOl well of course neither had a simple adapter -so had top buy 4 pieces/fitting to go from 1.25 to 1.5 - gotta love that crapola. I did hear back already from Reeflo with a few suggestions that it may not be bearings. Possible the "slinger" has slipped too close to the engine and it just needs to be move back into position, or a snail or something has gotten into the wet side/impeller. SO will keep you updated- thanks for the suggestions.

acer · Feb 2, 2020

Well, after doing quite a bit of research it seems that no real progress has been made in pumps regarding higher head pressure in the past 5 years. The under $1000 DC pumps cannot handle my 13 feet of head pressure without starving the 150 gallon display tank of fresh water and good flow from the basement sump. The best A/C options are the Reeflo ( Hammerhead) = $400-500 or a large Iwaki - but are pretty loud and I have gone thru two Hammerheads in 5 years = both maybe fixable/serviceable - but I am not real handy. So, the next option is the Red Dragon or Abyzz pumps - the wallet will be screaming for mercy.

So , I guess a poll question . I have gotten the "OK" from the family accountant ( yep - the wife) to spend up to $2k on a new pump. I am very surprized - but I think she knows I am pretty frugal usually on the reef stuff buying used if at all possible. So-

#1 = Abyzz A200 = $1900 and will do 1800g/h at my 14 ft head pressure - https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/a200-dc-controllable-pump-4-400-gph-abyzz.html

#2= Abyzz A100= $1500 and will do about 900g/h for me
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/red-...30-watt-6-340-gph-royal-exclusiv-usa-llc.html

**** Abyzz = 10 year warranty

#3=Red Dragon Speedy3 230 watt= $1350 and wil do about 1700 g/h for me https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/red-...30-watt-6-340-gph-royal-exclusiv-usa-llc.html

**** Red Dragon/Royal Exclusive = 2 year warranty.

Opinions and comments welcomed

Meldrath · Feb 2, 2020

There's an open box Abyzz on BRS that I saw the other day, not sure it's still there but may save you some $.

A400 IPU Controllable DC Pump with 3M Cord - 4,900 GPH (OPEN BOX)

Now Includes an IP65 Rated, Splash-Proof Controller Perfect for large saltwater aquariums, ponds, water features, creeks, freshwater aquariums, or any other project that requires a powerful water pump. Abyzz Controllable DC Pumps are known for their reliability and performance. Upgrading from...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

mfinn · Feb 2, 2020

I'm a Red Dragon fan.
I have 2 smaller ones that I think are great.
I have zero complaints after a few years.
The only thing I think I saw negative to someone( not me) was you had to buy some sort of optional cable to hook them up to a Apex. That's not something I need to worry about.

But once you are at the $1400 level, it's not that far to the $1900 level and a 10 year warranty.

acer · Feb 3, 2020

Yep- hence the difficult decision. I have thrown out the smallest Abyzz = 900 GPH it does not leave enough room in case I decide to get a larger tank,etc. So its between the Red dragon 230 watt $1350 /2 yr warranty and the A200 Abyzz $1980 /10 yr warrantly.

The Open box Abyzz is a a400 model and still $2500 ( $400 off) and I do believe open box = no warranty.

Williamson’s Reef · Apr 26, 2020

What did you go with? How is the flow compared to the reeflow? I’m thinking about upgrading mine also.

acer · Apr 26, 2020

I found a great deal on a another reeflo Gold - so saved $1500 for now (yes I know it wont last more than 3 years) and purchased new lights that were needed as well= 2 used G4 Xr30's. I still came out ahead several hundred. Bottom line= I just could not justify the money for the Abyzz A200 pump.