Which pump or powerhead?

jahma

Registered Member
Mar 17, 2008
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I am here trying to figure what type of water mover to move up to for my planted tank. I am running a hydro 400 rated at 115 gph right now. It was great when I didnt have a filter, heater, and co2 inline between input and output . I have also gone up to 6 inches of lift.
I dont mind the "psht" of a bubble hitting an impeller. It is very reassuring to know its going without checking the bubble counter.

A very new developement is a rattle in impeller once in a while. Its like a bubble hits and it takes 20 seconds to get that bubble thru the impeller. Or the constant shock of the bubbles has made a little wear and the impeller can be throw out of wack. The pump is only 3 months old. I miss the higher flow like I had before the addons.

The price of a penguin 1140 looks real nice. It moves 300 gallon per hour and I would be happy with 100-150. It would be easily adapt to my system. Can CO2 consistantly be run thru its impeller without alot of extra wear? Can the unit provide the lift the 6 inches up to my filter? Overheating? Better suggestions? Thanks
 
Nice davidtcb1, I might. Not to replace mine but move more water.

I found out what my noise is from. The water that runs thru my pump runs by the shaft first. I changed the angle reciently and now I changed it back. The water is used to cool the shaft and the co2 gets caught. I need to find a pump that doesnt cool with the same water as is being pumped. I think that penguin might do that? Or I could just use what I got.
 
Have you considered placing the CO2 on the other end? Most of the power heads come with a connection to bring surface air down into the pump discharge to help stir the water in the tank. It seems like if you put your CO2 tube there and directed the flow well below the surface, you would have a good way to mix in the CO2 without impacting the impeller on the power head.
 
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This apparatus hooks to the back of the tank. My water is only 12 inches deep and I dont want extra surface action. I would be replacing the pump with a powerhead but use it as a pump. A penguin 1140 would easily go in with some pvc and aquamend. That input for air would be covered up by the attachment of the line. I dont know how adding co2 after the pump would be with the high pressure.

I just like the availability of the penguin and the price. I want about 100-130 gallon per hour but my 115 gph is probably around 40 gph now. Most pumps will not go in easy or are far too large of a volume for my 29 gallon with 16 gallons in it. My ottos like the current. My configuration works great but pressure is now low. I dont have a rattle anymore. Its amazing how a couple degrees on tilt caused that rattle.

Will a penguin 1140 work continuous duty with the extra stain of pumping pressure?
Anyone know of an more appropriate pump? Thanks
 
Or the constant shock of the bubbles has made a little wear and the impeller can be throw out of wack.
Constant cavitation in the impeller chamber of low end pumps will cause the impeller rotor's bearings or sleeve to wear very quickly.

In addition the impeller's surfaces in low end pumps may become "pocked" due to cavitation which will accelerate the wear described above.

TR
 
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