Pump Ugrade Recommendations: (2) RIO HF 32 to External

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knobhill

knobhill

Redtail Catfish
MFK Member
May 2, 2007
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I am currently running (2) Rio HF 32's in my sump for an 1100g tank. They are pushing water through 1" pvc pipe with about 5.5ft of head. They are noisy and not my favorite pumps. After the last water change, one has a death rattle to it. So it is time to upgrade.

In total, these pumps consume about 230 watts of power and somewhere in the neighborhood of 2800gph.

I have the space to install an external pump, and had a great experience with a Reeflo Dart pump for another system. I would like to boost the output while lowering the power consumption and reducing noise.FYI each overflow has a 2" return, so (2) 2" returns in total.

Here are my choices so far:
Model / Output @ 5.5ft / Power consumption / Price/ Notes

2 HF 32 / 2800gph / 230w / FREE/ CURRENTLY SETUP

Reeflo Barracuda / 3500gph / 245w / $375 / Can get a hybrid model

Deepwater Aquatics DC14 / 3700 / 140w / $319 / Flow controller and extras

Any reccomendations would be appreciated. Thanks
 
My in-law uses the Deepwater for his reef tank running out of sump (closed loop). He is happy with the performance, it's quiet, comes with unions for plumbing and is a DC pump.

At that caliber I'd look at the Ecotech DC pumps too. Also same traits as Deepwater. I'd even recommend my Waveline 12000 DC also very quiet, and likely meets your wattage usage, only $279, but it's only 3100gph on paper, so may not meet your needs in implementation.
 
DN328 said:
My in-law uses the Deepwater for his reef tank running out of sump (closed loop). He is happy with the performance, it's quiet, comes with unions for plumbing and is a DC pump.

At that caliber I'd look at the Ecotech DC pumps too. Also same traits as Deepwater. I'd even recommend my Waveline 12000 DC also very quiet, and likely meets your wattage usage, only $279, but it's only 3100gph on paper, so may not meet your needs in implementation.
Click to expand...

The only concerns I have about the Deepwater pump is the electronic controller could fail/malfunction and it has British threaded fittings. The controller is another part to fail. The threads make me weary of using it externally. I do like the energy consumption, flow rate, and functions.

Waveline 12000 DC / 2100gph / 132w / $279 / Not enough flow+Bad reviews on Amazon
 
i did check out the ecotech line as well but I would need 2 of them to acheive the right flow. That is out of my budget.
 
With (2) 2" overflows I wouldn't go much bigger then a Dart.

IF you're lucky and can locate one, a Baldor motored Dart hybrid has a rating of 4300 gph and only uses 150 watts. Might have to valve it back a little for the pair of 2" overflows though. A normal Dart should match those overflows pretty nicely though.
 
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knobhill said:
The only concerns I have about the Deepwater pump is the electronic controller could fail/malfunction and it has British threaded fittings. The controller is another part to fail. The threads make me weary of using it externally. I do like the energy consumption, flow rate, and functions.

Waveline 12000 DC / 2100gph / 132w / $279 / Not enough flow+Bad reviews on Amazon
Click to expand...

Deepwater: I believe the retailer provided the adaptor for my in-law for free. I'm in the US, no issues. Yes, controller is a failing point, but it also provides the flexibility you can typically achieve with gate valve or ball valve.

Waveline: I have no incentive to try to sell this, but I would not concolude on 5 amazon reviews ;-)
At least 2 of the 5 are likely based on their Gen 1 models. Also it still may not be enough for your needs but it's 3100gph, not the 2100gph that's stated.

Another benefit of DC is your not running full throttle and energy only to turn down via a valve.

Food for thought.
 
DB junkie said:
With (2) 2" overflows I wouldn't go much bigger then a Dart.

IF you're lucky and can locate one, a Baldor motored Dart hybrid has a rating of 4300 gph and only uses 150 watts. Might have to valve it back a little for the pair of 2" overflows though. A normal Dart should match those overflows pretty nicely though.
Click to expand...

I had a dart and just sold it! It was THE best pump I ever owned. It was on my old 480g with (2) 2" overflows and I had to tune it down. So I guess that is a good option.

Reeflo Dart/Snapper Gold/ 3200gph / 165w/ $360
 
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DN328 said:
Deepwater: I believe the retailer provided the adaptor for my in-law for free. I'm in the US, no issues. Yes, controller is a failing point, but it also provides the flexibility you can typically achieve with gate valve or ball valve.

Waveline: I have no incentive to try to sell this, but I would not concolude on 5 amazon reviews ;-)
At least 2 of the 5 are likely based on their Gen 1 models. Also it still may not be enough for your needs but it's 3100gph, not the 2100gph that's stated.

Another benefit of DC is your not running full throttle and energy only to turn down via a valve.

Food for thought.
Click to expand...

The 2100gph is @ 5.5ft head based on the flow chart. And yes, 5 reviews isn't much lol.


I'm now between the Dart Gold and the the Deepwater.

The Reeflo has a 5year warranty vs. 1 year for Deepwater.

This has been a great think tank so far!!!!
 
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