Bead Filters and Pump Sizing

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peterp63

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Feb 13, 2008
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I'm planning to buy an Ultima II 2000 to add to the filtration on my 600 gallon ray tank. Currently, I'm using a 180 gallon sump with 2 x mag 24's (2400 GPH each) and 4 large canister filters. The Ultima would be an additional filter and I'm probably going to go with another submersible pump to run the Ultima - laguna maxflo 4200 (4200 gph). My question: Would this pump suffice?? I'm going with submersibles due to my limited space under my tank (plus the lower flow rate through my sump can actually assist bio filtration -- high flow doesn't always solve everything :) I know they aren't the most energy efficient pumps, but they'll work for now!

The Ultima II dimensions fit a unique spot next to my stand that will conceal it from view and fit perfectly. Any of the bigger ones would be too wide or else I would get the larger models. But, I think the Ultima would be a nice addition to my current filtration for this system. I do feed quite a bit, but the filtration seems to be keeping up with the bio since my rays are breeding for me and everyone eats like pigs!!! The Ultima will be to add some extreme mechanical and bio to the system.

Thanks in advance!!!
 
peterp63 said:
I'm planning to buy an Ultima II 2000 to add to the filtration on my 600 gallon ray tank. Currently, I'm using a 180 gallon sump with 2 x mag 24's (2400 GPH each) and 4 large canister filters. The Ultima would be an additional filter and I'm probably going to go with another submersible pump to run the Ultima - laguna maxflo 4200 (4200 gph). My question: Would this pump suffice?? I'm going with submersibles due to my limited space under my tank (plus the lower flow rate through my sump can actually assist bio filtration -- high flow doesn't always solve everything :) I know they aren't the most energy efficient pumps, but they'll work for now!

The Ultima II dimensions fit a unique spot next to my stand that will conceal it from view and fit perfectly. Any of the bigger ones would be too wide or else I would get the larger models. But, I think the Ultima would be a nice addition to my current filtration for this system. I do feed quite a bit, but the filtration seems to be keeping up with the bio since my rays are breeding for me and everyone eats like pigs!!! The Ultima will be to add some extreme mechanical and bio to the system.

Thanks in advance!!!
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That flow rate would work for the Ultima II 4000 (optimal flow rate 4000 gph). Why don't you just go with a smaller pump?
 
With my Ultima setup initially ran internal pump 4300gph on 4000 Ultima, PondMaster Pro 4300 it did work but think it gave it a work out. Briefly ran same pump but 6000gph version which worked well but was too much turnover for my 300+ tank. So switched to external Sequence pump 4300gph which works much better (think it performs on par with the 6000gph internal pump I had, but without the extra water turn over)
Ultima recommends external pump to handle head pressure, but based on my experience (6000gph pump on 4000Ultima working well, but tank to small) your 4200gph pump on 2000 Ultima would work

Made a earlier post my experience with Ultima http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?498140-Finally-Ultima-10-000-Setup/page3

Just today added a new video of my 10 month experience with Ultima and how I set it up.
Recommend putting a drain pan and platform with Wheels under it so it can be moved/wiggled, secondary filter on return line to catch fine crude that flush's out of Ultima after a backwash & rinse (backwash & rinse cleans a lot of stuff out but there's always some fine stuff), one-way valve on waste out line to prevent a airlock in line.
 
Head pressure is head pressure. Either the pump can push the recommended GPH at the given head height or it can't...that's all there is to it.

To run this filter, Aqua UV recommends using a pump that does ~2,000GPH at 10' of head pressure.

Reeflo Super Dart Gold @ 10' does roughly 2,200GPH (178 watts)
Laguna Max Flo 4200 @ 10' does roughly 2,000GPH (160 watts)

Can the filter tell if the pump pushing ~2,000GPH through it is a direct drive or a mag style pump? Nope, it can't.

Either 2,000GPH is being pushed through it, or it's not. I think the Laguna 4200 or the Super Dart Gold are great choices to run that filter. I would go with the Laguna since it's quite a bit cheaper and you don't have to worry about replacing seals.

I would also look into replacing those Mag 24's. Those things are total power hogs (265W each).

Mag Drive 24 does 1,850GPH @ 5' of head on 265 watts

Laguna Max Flo 2400 does 1,796GPH @ 5' head on 82 watts

The Mag Drive uses three times as much electricty to move essentially the same amount of water.

If you change over to more efficient pumps, they will pay for themselves pretty quickly...the only way it wouldn't make sense to get rid of the Mag 24s is if you get power for free of if you plan on taking your setup down soon.
 
Aqua UV recommends a pump that will do 6,000GPH @ 10' of head for their 6000 model.

You are looking at at least a .5HP pump to be able to do that...maybe even .75HP.

A few options:
W. Lim Dragon Series 3/4HP Pump:
http://wlimproducts.com/index.php?o...3:dragon-series&catid=1:water-pumps&Itemid=16

W. Lim Wave II 3/4HP pump:
http://wlimproducts.com/index.php?o...:wave-ii-series&catid=1:water-pumps&Itemid=16

Artesian 2 low RPM A2- 1/2- 76:
http://www.performancepropumps.com/artesian2_curves.htm

To be honest, I think you would be crazy to run such a large bead filter on just a 600 gallon tank. It's designed to filter a 6,000G pond, so 600 gallons is nothing.

Go with a smaller model so that you don't need to run such a huge pump; running these huge pumps is expensive. A 3/4HP 600 watt pump would cost you almost $50 per month to run (assuming the national avg cost of electricity of $0.11 per KWHr).
 
Laguna 4200 Max Flow pumps roughly 1800 gph at 10' head, so it would not suffice.

http://www.aquaticponds.com/Laguna-Max-Flo-4200-Waterfall-Filter-Pump--4200-GPH_p_1171.html

If you plan to add a bead filter, you may want to consider of using it as an independent, close-loop filter. It will help you drain your tank fast when you do water change and backwash the bead filter at the same time. With the bead filter and your 180gal sump, you may able to eliminate the 4 canister filters
 
jlnguyen74 said:
Laguna 4200 Max Flow pumps roughly 1800 gph at 10' head, so it would not suffice.

http://www.aquaticponds.com/Laguna-Max-Flo-4200-Waterfall-Filter-Pump--4200-GPH_p_1171.html

If you plan to add a bead filter, you may want to consider of using it as an independent, close-loop filter. It will help you drain your tank fast when you do water change and backwash the bead filter at the same time. With the bead filter and your 180gal sump, you may able to eliminate the 4 canister filters
Click to expand...

huh? How do you figure the Max flo 4200 will not work for the Ultima 2000?

Per Aqua UV, they state that the minimum flow for the Ultima 2000 is 1,000GPH and the maximum flow is 2,500GPH, with 2,000GPH @10' being ideal.
Scroll up to see the pic Peter posted or check it out at their website: http://www.aquaultraviolet.com/products/filters/ultima2/2000

The Next Generation (2012) Laguna Max Flo 4200 does 1,968 GPH @ 10' of head pressure, which is as close to the ideal pump for this filter that you are going to get. Even if he goes with last year's model Max Flo 4200 which does 1908GPH @ 10' of head, that is still almost ideal (http://www.azponds.com/laguna_maxflo_chart.htm).

The Ultima 6000 on the other hand will need a larger pump than what Laguna has to offer, but the Max Flo 4200 is the ideal pump for the Ultima 2000.

See page 7 of Laguna's Product Catalog for current model year flow rates: http://www.lagunaponds.com/lagunaeng/careguides/2012-Laguna-Catalogue.pdf

I agree with your other comments, but can you explain why you think the Max Flo 4200 will not suffice for an Ultima 2000?
 
aldiaz33 said:
huh? How do you figure the Max flo 4200 will not work for the Ultima 2000?

Per Aqua UV, they state that the minimum flow for the Ultima 2000 is 1,000GPH and the maximum flow is 2,500GPH, with 2,000GPH @10' being ideal.
Scroll up to see the pic Peter posted or check it out at their website: http://www.aquaultraviolet.com/products/filters/ultima2/2000

The Next Generation (2012) Laguna Max Flo 4200 does 1,968 GPH @ 10' of head pressure, which is as close to the ideal pump for this filter that you are going to get. Even if he goes with last year's model Max Flo 4200 which does 1908GPH @ 10' of head, that is still almost ideal (http://www.azponds.com/laguna_maxflo_chart.htm).

The Ultima 6000 on the other hand will need a larger pump than what Laguna has to offer, but the Max Flo 4200 is the ideal pump for the Ultima 2000.

See page 7 of Laguna's Product Catalog for current model year flow rates: http://www.lagunaponds.com/lagunaeng/careguides/2012-Laguna-Catalogue.pdf

I agree with your other comments, but can you explain why you think the Max Flo 4200 will not suffice for an Ultima 2000?
Click to expand...
Speaking for myself i am curious if this pump could handle not only the head hight but being a pressurized system the 1900 would slow down substancially being pushed through the ultima but do it let's see what happens>??????
 
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