Which pump to use?

[eunado]

I am upgrading from a 135 to a 180. Currently on the 135 I have a Mag 9.5 as the return from a 40 gallon sump/refugium with 4 MJ 1200s on a wavemaker in the tank. I want to ditch the powerheads and go with a closed loop, possible an oceans motions if I can I afford it but can't decide which sequnce pump to go with.

I am trying to decide between a sequence Dart (3500gph and 130W) or a sequence Snapper (2500gph and 90W). My tank is almost exclusively softies and lps. I know for SPS you would want more flow, but I don't want to go overkill on my softies and lps (not to mention power consumption).

Any advice/experience would be greatly appreciated.

[treejohnny]

i would go with the dart......you can restrict the return (after pump) with ball or gate valve to reduce flow and power consumption......then you will for sure have the right pump :0)

[mg426]

I vote for the Dart .

[xtrstangx]

treejohny, most pumps will use up MORE electricity when they have more restriction (like valves reducing flow).

A Dart would be fine. Keep in mind they aren't great with dealing with pressure so you'll be loosing quite a bit of flow (depending on your plumbing, it may be down to 2500 GPH or less). If it was me, I'd get an Iwaki/Panworld/similar that is more suited to deal with head pressure (as a return pump application, the Dart is better for CL situations). Then throw an OceansMotions on it and you'll have good flow throughout the entire tank with the random flow that your softies will love.

[treejohnny]

i thought he was talking of pump for closed loop..........and the dart will use Less juice when pumping less water.....atleast that is what their website says......

[sjm817]

Pumps use less electricity when flow is reduced, not more.

[RichConley]

Originally posted by xtrstangx
treejohny, most pumps will use up MORE electricity when they have more restriction (like valves reducing flow).

99% of the pumps we use in this hobby use less energy when restricted.


Theyre less efficient when restricted, but still use less energy.



and fwiw, a dart uses 160w, not 130w.

[eunado]

Thanks for the correction. I was going from memory on the wattage.

I think that with the 5' of head, the flow should likely be just about right from the Dart, especially with an OM.

Thanks for your input.