Ultima II Rated vs. Actual Flow

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JK47

JK47

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Aug 4, 2008
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I'm interested in hearing feedback from those who go above the Ultima's optimal flow and if so, any good, or bad feedback? Example(+/-):

Ultima II 2000 (optimal at 2,000 GPH)
Pump A) Reeflo Snapper (2,5000 GPH)
Pump B) Reeflo Dart (3,500 GPH)

My question is specific to filter function, not filter to tank ratio.
 
I personally haven't run that filter/pump, bump for someone with more knowledge. I would think lower flow rates would be more preferable to bio filtration with higher flows favoring mechanical filtration. I'm more of a veggie filtration guy.
 
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pacu mom pacu mom might be able to assist
 
Sorry, I can't help...haven't set up the tank yet. The background panels are killing me.... I have literally mixed up 9 gallons of epoxy, working on the 12 th gallon, and ordered another 3 gallons 3 days ago....but I do have pumps rated for the Ultimas I purchased.

You might check with Spiff44-- I believe he is running Ultima II 4000s (max flow 4500) with Hammerhead pumps which have higher flow rates than Barracuda Golds. Since most setups do not operate at 0 head, head height will decrease the flow rate. Here's a chart showing drop in flow rate with increased head. At 4 ft, the Snapper's flow rate is slightly less than 2,000 gph.
http://www.reeflopumps.com/flow-chart-all-pumps.html
 
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I'm also using the Barracuda impeller, which is included with the pump, just so I can cut down on the flow without closing the ball valve even more. The Baldor motor is pretty quiet for being such a large pump. I definitely could have gotten away with purchasing the Dart pump instead.
 
Def Leppard Hysteria said:
I'm running a Reeflo Hammerhead/Barracuda Gold on my Ultima II 1000, but I have the pump gated down about half way using a double union ball valve.
Click to expand...
... You could have gone with an Ultima II 4000...you wouldn't have had to gate down your pump . Fits right in with "the bigger the better" mentality we fish keepers have about filtration. :). Joking, of course
 
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pacu mom said:
... You could have gone with an Ultima II 4000...you wouldn't have had to gate down your pump . Fits right in with "the bigger the better" mentality we fish keepers have about filtration. :). Joking, of course
Click to expand...

In hindsight, I should have a least gone with the 2000. It was only about $150 more than the 1000 and would have given me more surface area to help keep my 600 gallon Fly River turtle tank cleaner. Maybe some day I'll upgrade to the 2000. I need to at least work on putting a prefilter inline before the Ultimate II, because I can literally backwash mine every 2 days.
 
@def leppard I have a Hammerhead as well. It is the 6k GPH model. I would really love to use that pump on the Ultima II 2000. I just think it will be too much but have no baseline for comparison.
 
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