overklok February 23, 2009 February 23, 2009 I am getting ready to run a system that will pump up one floor. It will flow to two aquariums on the 2nd floor. One is a 50 gallon, the other is a 90 gallon. Do you think the Reeflo Barracuda pump is strong enough to do the job? Thanks
OUsnakebyte February 23, 2009 February 23, 2009 What is the head pressure - ie how many feet is the pump running against? What is the diameter of the return lines?
overklok February 23, 2009 Author February 23, 2009 It will pump up about 12 feet. The return line will be 3/4 inch pvc.
Jon Lazar February 23, 2009 February 23, 2009 ReefLo's site has a chart with all their pumps' performance data. You can check the effects of head pressure on the pump there, but the Hammerhead will put out 3000gph at 19.5 feet of head pressure. Output rapidly drops to 600gph at 24 feet though. http://www.reeflopumps.com/images/flow_cha...flow_biased.xls Jon
OUsnakebyte February 23, 2009 February 23, 2009 3/4" will diminish performance. How many GPH do you want to achieve in each tank?
Brian Ward February 23, 2009 February 23, 2009 The barracuda isn't considered a pressure rated pump. Look at the equivalent pressure rated - either a Marlin or a Manta Ray http://www.reeflopumps.com/pressurebiaseduno.html http://www.reeflopumps.com/flowpressurehighspeedpumps.html
overklok February 23, 2009 Author February 23, 2009 I am not looking for tremendous flow through the system via the reeflo. I have Vortechs in the tanks to take care of that. I am trying to centralize filter functions such as skimming and calc input. The aquariums will have pvc draining into the downstairs sump. The sump downstairs will be the return point for the system.
johnnybv February 23, 2009 February 23, 2009 I am not looking for tremendous flow through the system via the reeflo.I have Vortechs in the tanks to take care of that. I am trying to centralize filter functions such as skimming and calc input. The aquariums will have pvc draining into the downstairs sump. The sump downstairs will be the return point for the system. I would not run 3/4" pipe up the 12', try and use at least 1 1/2 or even better 2", you will then be able to use the barracuda, and keep your running expense down to about 3 amps. john
Brian Ward February 23, 2009 February 23, 2009 I am not looking for tremendous flow through the system via the reeflo.I have Vortechs in the tanks to take care of that. I am trying to centralize filter functions such as skimming and calc input. The aquariums will have pvc draining into the downstairs sump. The sump downstairs will be the return point for the system. OK. Still look at one of the pressure rated pumps, just look at one of the lower models. The Tarpon should do what you're looking for and you won't be running at the edge of its capability. 15' of head is right in the middle of the Tarpon's ability.
OUsnakebyte February 23, 2009 February 23, 2009 (edited) So, you are looking to add peripherals too - such as a skimmer, other reactors, UV, etc? I support your idea of centralizing via one pump, but like John said, you don't want to run 3/4" pipe all the way. Running 1.5"or 2" line is ideal, especially at your tee junction. Keep it wide for as long as you can, then reduce - though I would reduce to 1". Again, a lot of this depends on how many GPH you want to achieve in each tank. 1,000? 500? Somewhere in between? I am also a fan of getting a pump that is slightly oversized for what you think you may need. Plumb in a bypass to the sump, and you can use that to bleed off extra flow, as opposed to valving back your pump. Edited February 23, 2009 by OUsnakebyte
ctenophore February 23, 2009 February 23, 2009 12+ feet of 2" pipe holds a lot of water. Make sure your sump can handle it plus the two tanks' worth. I agree that a Tarpon or Marlin is better suited for the job. If you use one of those, you could probably get away with 1" pipe. I have a used Tarpon I am thinking of selling, so if you are interested in going that route just PM me. Justin
overklok February 23, 2009 Author February 23, 2009 I am using a Reef Ready 75 gallon as the first sump. This will also server as my frag/ growout tank. It will drain into a 30 gallon bottom sump. The bottom sump is drilled and plumbed for an external pump. I think I should have enough overhead for the pipes.
RudyCDX1 February 23, 2009 February 23, 2009 I have been running a Reeflo Barracuda for 5+ years from a basement sump to my 156gal display tank with dual 1.5" overflows on the main floor. I have a 2" return that feeds a OceanMotions 4Way then in to the tank. I have to bleed off return water in the sump due to the volume of water pumping into my display tank.
extreme_tooth_decay February 23, 2009 February 23, 2009 (edited) Agree with Brian, if you have that much head you should get a pressure rated pump. That's what they are designed for. When I was doing exactly what you are, I used a Wahoo. It natively used 3/4" return and had very little flow loss over the 12' head (it has 32' max head), and uses substantially less power than a barracuda. tim Edited February 23, 2009 by extreme_tooth_decay
www.fishnreef.com February 23, 2009 February 23, 2009 The barracuda will be powerful enough if the piping is appropriate. I have a barracuda supplying a 230g about 12+ feet from the basement. 2" pipe. I dial it back to give a margin of error for the overflows. Two 2" returns still have the water about 3/4"-1" higher than the pipe intake. If something clogs...it really would be an issue. Make sure you have enough return capacity. Nadir
Brian Ward February 23, 2009 February 23, 2009 While I don't disagree that the Barracuda will work, you'll be operating at the edge of its range. The max head it provides numbers for is 19.3ft. Remember that the vertical distance is only the first measurement in calculating head pressure. Next is the diameter of the pipe as well as any turns you may have. A pressure rated (biased) pump is designed specifically to do what you're talking about.
johnnybv February 23, 2009 February 23, 2009 Agree with Brian, if you have that much head you should get a pressure rated pump. That's what they are designed for. When I was doing exactly what you are, I used a Wahoo. It natively used 3/4" return and had very little flow loss over the 12' head (it has 32' max head), and uses substantially less power than a barracuda. tim Not sure where you are getting that "uses substantially less power than a barracuda." Wahoo at 15' head moves 1466 GPH uses 270 watts Barracuda at 16' head moves 1810 gph uses 237 watts John
extreme_tooth_decay February 23, 2009 February 23, 2009 Not sure where you are getting that "uses substantially less power than a barracuda." Barracuda at 16' head moves 1810 gph uses 237 watts Looks like over 300 to me...
Brian Ward February 23, 2009 February 23, 2009 Tim, Dotted line is watts. Looks like 500gph and 250 watts.
johnnybv February 23, 2009 February 23, 2009 Here is the updated excel sheet from the Reef flo web site, I believe there is some conflicting information out there with old performance on other sites. http://www.reeflopumps.com/images/flow_charts.xls John
extreme_tooth_decay February 23, 2009 February 23, 2009 Tim,Dotted line is watts. Looks like 500gph and 250 watts. I'm probably reading the chart wrong. But, 500 GPH and 250 watts is quite a bit different than 1810 GPH at 237W. The Wahoo would be much more efficient if the barracuda can only make 500 GPH at 237W at 16' head.
johnnybv February 23, 2009 February 23, 2009 I'm probably reading the chart wrong. But, 500 GPH and 250 watts is quite a bit different than 1810 GPH at 237W. The Wahoo would be much more efficient if the barracuda can only make 500 GPH at 237W at 16' head. I didnt pull those number out of the air, look at the actual REEF FLO RECENT specs posted on THEIR site. http://www.reeflopumps.com/images/flow_charts.xls
Brian Ward February 23, 2009 February 23, 2009 I didnt pull those number out of the air, look at the actual REEF FLO RECENT specs posted on THEIR site. http://www.reeflopumps.com/images/flow_charts.xls There are definitely different versions of the charts on their site. Might correspond to different versions of the pump?
overklok February 23, 2009 Author February 23, 2009 I am going with the Tarpon from Justin. I am glad that this thread has generated so much discussion. I have learned alot from eveyone's infomation. Thanks
extreme_tooth_decay February 23, 2009 February 23, 2009 There are definitely different versions of the charts on their site. Might correspond to different versions of the pump? Must be something like that, but how is the consumer to know? If it's such a huge difference it's very important. The fact there is nearly a 4:1 discrepancy in performance between the numbers for the "same" pump is very disturbing.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now