Monster Pump question for 3-220 gallon tanks central system...Need Help

[ray777]

I am doing 3-220 gallong reef ready tanks see picture the third tank will be on the end of one side. The sump is a 150 gallon tub. I am currently using 4-Rio 32HF for the 2-220 gallon tanks that are so far up and running. I want to get away with using some many pumps and only run one pump. However I want to make sure it can handle 6 return lines 2 to each tank and have enough flow that the stingrays need. I was told a blue line 100 HD http://www.aquabuys.com/p/blue-line-100hd-pump-bl00100.html I just get thrown off with the GPH it has that is only one of my Rio 32HF but a buddy who owns a saltwater store told me the head pressure is important and this thing is enough. Anyone have experience with this pump or suggest something for my system. I want to also make sure that this pump isn't more electric then the rios. Each Rio 32HF is 115watts. If I only did rios I would have 6 times this. Any help suggestions etc would be greatly appreciated.

 

[DIDYSIS]

Forget that pump and get a reeflo barracuda. My 600 gallon tank has 6 water jets and my tank has lots of flow for rays. So much pressure it will break smaller gauge irrigation piping vs normal PVC. They love playing in the water streams in my tank. The pressure is such that after going through everything it still can push all the heavy sand to the sides after shooting water 2 feet deep and 3+ feet out. Also the reeflo uses about 250 Watts way less. And Amazon has them for a good price. This one pump would take care or your tanks just fine.

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[ray777]

I have thought about a Reefflo dart which yes does use a lot less electric just not sure about the seals. Heard they go bad a lot. Got pics of your manifold then?

 

[DIDYSIS]

Updated above. Let me look. I can add pics when I get home latter.

More or less my manifold is a 1.5inch pipe going to a 4 way at the top. The 4 way then has three openings that are capped with a threaded cap fitting. Then threaded into those parts are water jets. Sure works Well even if it sounds odd. I'll get some pics for you. I don't think I have any on here.

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[Pharaoh]

I've seen Reeflos run for years without fail. I had a barracuda that I used on my central setup.

 

[frnchjeep]

I run a central sump also, and I have found it difficult to balance multiple outlets on one pump. Especially when the power stops and is restarted. It seems I always had to tinker with the valves to get it back where it was. The problem with this is if the power goes out and comes back on when you aren't home, you could be left with a tank not getting enough flow, or a tank possibly getting too much flow and overflowing. For piece of mind, I use one pump per tank. It also makes maintenance easier, because you can shut off one tank while the rest still run.
Something else that I want to do ( but haven't gotten around to yet) is put the pumps on a float switch. If you pop a tank, 220 gallons on the floor is bad... But without a float, it will pump the sump out through that tank, too.


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[ray777]

I run a central sump also, and I have found it difficult to balance multiple outlets on one pump. Especially when the power stops and is restarted. It seems I always had to tinker with the valves to get it back where it was. The problem with this is if the power goes out and comes back on when you aren't home, you could be left with a tank not getting enough flow, or a tank possibly getting too much flow and overflowing. For piece of mind, I use one pump per tank. It also makes maintenance easier, because you can shut off one tank while the rest still run.
Something else that I want to do ( but haven't gotten around to yet) is put the pumps on a float switch. If you pop a tank, 220 gallons on the floor is bad... But without a float, it will pump the sump out through that tank, too.


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I would hope that a tank would never bust if that happened I am screwed all around and the float would be least of my problem. I did always wonder about equal flow to each tank if I only used one pump. Also doing one pump to each tank is pretty much what I have right now. I was hoping one pump for all the tanks would be great. Also less Electric. I appreciate all information so far and to come. Pictures would be great of people's central systems. Thanks guys

 

[joe jaskot]

Just my two cents - go to a fish store that runs multiple tanks off a central system and see what they use (pump, plumbing parts etc.). Their systems are set up with shut off valves to do maintenace on individual tanks.

 

[ray777]

Yes I have my buddy who owns a pet store and he uses reef flo but told me to switch to blue line. Pretty much why I want to do central system because of his store.

 

[BOTR]

Go Reeflow. The new Snapper/Dart Hybrid comes with 2 different "impellers". You can pick which one has the flow that suites you. Head pressure is a huge deal. The flow rates you think you are getting are most likely at zero head pressure. The Dart should be fine, and is relatively quiet. Very efficent also. As long as you can deal with the plumbing, you'll be happy with this pump. I ran several years ago when they were Dolphin, and had one last year running my big tank. Sold it as I didnt need it anymore with the native set-up. These can also be throttled bad without damaging the pump head. Seals used to be an issue for salt water, fresh you should be fine. Dont get sand in it.

Chris