I need your guys opinions!

[sync]

I'm setting up a 90 gallon bow tank, My friends wants me to put a 2 inch drain and (2) 1 inch returns to run the new 1 inch SCWD—Squid—Wavemaker. the main pump he specked out for me to run this is a ReeFlo Dart Pump, 3600 GPH. I'm a little hesitant just cause I feel its a little overkill for a 90 gallon. Cost is not an issue just fyi:dontknow:

 

[ASommers]

First I would look at oceansmotions over using the SCWD. Unless they changed it the dart has a 2 1/2 intake and a 2" output, so your going to have a ton of head loss with the plumbing you called out. 3600 gal/hr is fine especially if it going to be for SPS plus it's always easier to reduce flow than it is to add it. You could also take a look at the Tunze or vortec pumps also if you don't mind pumps in the tank.

 

[sync]

oceansmotions 2-way will only due 1000gph unless you due a bypass the new 1" squid is


1" SCWD, Standard Drive
Swtiching Rate GPH
30 seconds 3500
55 seconds 1800
80 seconds 1200
120 seconds 900
155 seconds 720

 

[Left Coast DJ]

ReeFlo Dart = 150 Watts to move 3,600 GPH of laminar flow

vs.

EcoTech Vortech = 40 Watts to move 3,000 GPH of pulsing wave action.

I think using large return pumps and closed-loop systems is Jurassic now that there are energy efficient propeller pumps out there (Vortech, Koralia Magnums, New Tunze, Polario, etc).

 

[Bruce]

Dude, the dart is WAY overkill for a 90 gallon tank... I mean, sheesh! I have a 210 and wouldn't consider running one of those on it...

(Although I'll be running an Ampmaster 3000 on it soon; different story, though. I'll be throttling mine back for better efficiency.)

I have a 1200 GPH pump on my 90. It's about 900-1000 GPH by the time it gets to the tank. I'm also running an eductor on the output. It's a GENX MAK4 pump. Overall, I love that pump. Been running for probably 7 years now and it's been fabulous (note to self: have it rebuilt!).

You could get away with much smaller pumps IMO. I'd go with an external one, regardless, because of heating issues.

There's a lot of discussion regarding "too much flow" through a sump. Most of the flow that people are adding these days is via either closed loop or internal pumps (Tunze's, Vortech, whatever). Me, I'll probably be going with lower flow through the sump (and even less through the fuge) although with a 2 inch drain (on my 210) I could push a ton of flow... I also have a wavemaker and 2 Tunze 6100's, so I have plenty of flow regardless.

It's been said that any more flow than your skimmer can process is wasted flow. Perhaps you may want to keep that in mind, as well...

 

[pookstreet]

I myself am not a big fan of the SWCD. Haven't used OM myself but anything in the middle of the return process spells trouble down the road. I would just opt for a simple straight return to the tank and use Tunzes or other PH for additional and random flow.

Yeah, the Dart is WAY overkill. You'll never be able use it anywhere close to it's full potential.

 

[ASommers]

I use a dart on my 120 softy tank ind it works fine

 

[ASommers]

Is this for the return or just for a closed loop? For a return it would be way over kill

 

[sync]

sump return

 

[ASommers]

OK for sump I would go with something around 450 gal/hr too much flow your going to have problems with noise and micro bubbles

 

[pookstreet]

Eheim's are always nice. Reliable, low energy consumptions, can be used in sump or external, and generates little heat.

 

[Bruce]

I dunno. My thoughts are that 450 ain't a lot of flow. Like I said, mine's probably about 900 and I figure that's just right.

It's easy to add more flow, too. Even the maxi-jets with the hydor rotators can really add some movement to a tank.

And I don't have any real noise issues nor micro bubbles. I'm also using a modified stockman pipe, so that cuts down on a lot of noise...