pump for my fuge?

[nyfus]

I’m building a 20 gal refuge and was wondering if anybody could recommend a pump (brand and size) I will be using an overflow box. Everything will be independent and its for a 125.

[macphoto]

I’m building a 20 gal refuge and was wondering if anybody could recommend a pump (brand and size) I will be using an overflow box. Everything will be independent and its for a 125.
I'm quite pleased so far with my Quiet-One 3000 (though, if it's just for a refugium, that might be too much flow). It is indeed very quiet, does a good job, draws less power than similarly sized pumps, and is fairly inexpensive.

My only compaint about it... I found that sometimes after unplugging the pump for a little while, when I plugged it back in it would not start pumping (would just hum). I'd have to unplug/plug several times to get it to "kick in" and start pumping. Obviously, this sort of "russian roulette" is not acceptable... I don't want to have to constantly worry about whether or not my return pump will restart after a power outtage.

I called Big Al's to see about getting a replacement, and the technician told me that this was normal behavior for Quiet-One pumps, at least on all of them that he's seen, and to just let it sit for a little while and it will eventually start pumping (I had previously only left it in this humming state for 10 seconds or so). I was skeptical, but said I would give it a shot. I've tried it numerous times since, and it does indeed restart after a while (usually just 5 or 10 minutes).

Still seems a little fishy though.

--Mike

[reefrash]

Are you pumping up head? I'd use a powerhead I like Hagen heads a little silicone in the "venturi" a piece of flex tube and as the guy says... bam!

[nyfus]

The quite one 3000 does sound kind of risky. But I do have an extra Rio 1100 and a Rio 1700. with 4 feet of head do you think that would be enough pump?

[msouth468]

I'm quite pleased so far with my Quiet-One 3000 (though, if it's just for a refugium, that might be too much flow). It is indeed very quiet, does a good job, draws less power than similarly sized pumps, and is fairly inexpensive.

My only compaint about it... I found that sometimes after unplugging the pump for a little while, when I plugged it back in it would not start pumping (would just hum). I'd have to unplug/plug several times to get it to "kick in" and start pumping. Obviously, this sort of "russian roulette" is not acceptable... I don't want to have to constantly worry about whether or not my return pump will restart after a power outtage.

I called Big Al's to see about getting a replacement, and the technician told me that this was normal behavior for Quiet-One pumps, at least on all of them that he's seen, and to just let it sit for a little while and it will eventually start pumping (I had previously only left it in this humming state for 10 seconds or so). I was skeptical, but said I would give it a shot. I've tried it numerous times since, and it does indeed restart after a while (usually just 5 or 10 minutes).

Still seems a little fishy though.

--Mike

Sounds like your pump needs to be primed before pumping. Is is seated in water or mounted out?

[reefrash]

The 1700 is too powerful try the 1100, they don't pump up head too well, but you don't want a lot of flow anyway.

[macphoto]

Sounds like your pump needs to be primed before pumping. Is is seated in water or mounted out?
I run it submerged in the sump, so it shouldn't need to be primed (I think).

--Mike

[msouth468]

Do you what what type of pump it is? Like a Vein, gear..ect.

[macphoto]

Do you what what type of pump it is? Like a Vein, gear..ect.
No... but according to the pentairaquatics.com website:


Patented Uni-Direction impeller eliminates need for noisy mechanical device. This allows the pump to always turn in the correct direction immediately.
Mine always turns in the right direction, but it doesn't do so "immediately" :) .

--Mike

[msouth468]

I wonder if it uses a magnetic drive motor like power pumps. If that is the cas then it probably doesn't work right away because the propeller base sticks to the sides.

[macphoto]

Just a follow-up on this. I've been following the advice of the person at Big Al's, not doing the "unplug/plug until the pump kicks in" thing, and instead just plugging it in and being patient. MOST of the time it does indeed start up, but it sometimes takes 20 or 30 minutes. Last night I let it sit for over an hour before I finally gave in and flipped the power strip switch a few times to get it to start pumping again.

So, I called the same person at Big Al's, and he agrees that this is not normal (when he told me to wait, and that the pump would eventually come to life, he wasn't thinking 20 minutes). They're sending out a replacement.

I like the pump... it's quiet, and is (I think) the most energy-efficient pump available, which I assume also means less heat transferred to the water. I'm hopeful that I just got a dud, and that the replacement will work fine.

--Mike

[msouth468]

The base of the propeller could have been a little off. That would throw it off.