HELP!!! Which PUMP (1 Viewer)

[Niko5]

Ok I have decided to go with the Sequence ReefFlo series but now I have to choose between the Dart 2400 GPH @ 6' or Barracuda 3500 GPH @ 6'

I think the Dart would work but I don’t want to be in the situation I am now with "not enough flow"

I’m going to use it for my return pump. It will also feed my Refuge (which overflows into the tank) my Algae Turf Scrubber, My TINY frag tank and a couple Fluidized Bed Filters. (low flow). In all reality I only have 2 1" overflows in my main tank so i can only handle about 1800 GPH on a good day to the main tank.... which pump should I get?

 

[incysor]

Get the larger one and just install ball valves to each branched-off outlet. That way you can adjust them all independently to lower/higher flow. You'd be surprised how much a 90, or a T reduces your flow as well.

B

 

[Niko5]

Alright thats the one I wanted anyway I just wanted someone elses opinion Good point about the Elbows etc I hadent really though of that.

 

[Guest]

Even the Dart is a lot of pump for just two 1" overflows. I would probably go with it - I think you will still have plenty of extra power to spare.

 

[Niko5]

AWWW MIKE!!! whyed you have to go and say that Mr. Practical

 

[Guest]

I know - you want to get the biggest baddest pump you can.

But also consider that the Barracuda uses TWICE the electricity that the Dart does. And since you will probably be throttling back the Dart anyway, you would just be throttling the bigger pump even more and wasting all that energy.

But heck, more power is better. I say go for the Hammerhead.

 

[fishcraze]

how much diff in price b/t the 2400gph and the 3500gph? if it's more than $100 and you plan on keeping sps in the future, you may consider another option:

-use the 2400gph or just a Mag 18 (cheap) for your returns (main tk, frags,etc..) which should be enough for your sump circulation requirment

-buy a lower flow (and cheaper) Tunze like the 6060 (1800gph?) or 6080 (2200gph) for ~$130 - $180. This would give you a lot more flow in the main tank than a 2400 orthe 3500gph pump would. The Tunze also saves you money in the long term: ~15 W vs. ~ 200 - 300w??. I may be biased since I love Tunze pumps

 

[Niko5]

The Dart is 194 and the Barracuda is 248 not to much of a diff. But I think im going to go with the dart it uses very little power and like fishcraze said the return pump wont really do all THAT much for intake circulation so the bigger pump would be kind of a waste.