Tam Rio+ 1400 pump?

[MizTanks]

This is the pump I'll be going with for my return. Any user experience would be helpful or opinions.
http://www.marinedepot.com/Taam_Rio_(Rio+)_Powerhead_Pump_Fixed_Flow_Aquarium _Powerheads-TAAM_Via_Aqua-TA3111-FIPHFF-vi.html

[AZDesertRat]

What size display and sump and how much head loss do you have. Note the 1400 does not handle head very well and at about 5-6 feet drops off to a trickle. I usually figure 4-5 feet of headloss for most systems when considerin the vertical distance between the sump level and the display level plus friction losses due to tubing, PVC and fittings so it would be putting out much flow at that point. If it is a smaller system that may be all you need though at say 5x the display volume?

I used many Rio pumps in older systems but I think there are much better pumps available today that draw much lower wattage, do not produce as much heat and are quieter. Eheim and WaterBlaster to name just two and you might even consider one of the new variable speed DC powered pumps that are extremely efficient and can be dialed in exactly where you want it. I still have a few Rio's in my parts closet but it seems most have or had impeller problems or problems with the steel shaft and rubber bushings. Just my opinion.

[MizTanks]

This is for a 40g with a 20g sump. About 3-4' head loss.

[AZDesertRat]

So thats about 250 GPH if you use 3/4" tubing or PVC with as few elbows and fittings as possible to keep the head down. Probably about right 5-6 times the display volume. One issue may be velocity through the sump though. A 20G sump will probably hold 12-14 gallons in operation so the turnover there is around 20x and the velocity make carry microbubbles back to the display without carefully placed baffles.

[MizTanks]

What about an Eheim 1262 900gph? I found one for $90 shipped?

Or a Tunze 1073.020 634gph for $70 shipped. But missing grill cover.

[AZDesertRat]

Both are larger than you need. They are both extremely good pumps though for a little larger system, the Eheim is better for a 75-100G system.

[binford4000]

Mag Drive 2 Water Pump - AquaCave.com (http://www.aquacave.com/Mag-Drive-2-Water-Pump-P1535.aspx)

Jamie,if it was me I would use this pump,AZ has a very good point about the flow in your sump. This should do you fine and they are virtually bullet proof. Not the most efficant but considering budget a good choice IMHO .

[MizTanks]

Well I know nothing about baffle placement. Brian (owner & operator) of Boschaquatics.com is the one building my sump & all recommendations. I'm at his mercy :)

I'll keep the Mag Drive book marked if the need ever arises, thanks Chuck.

[AZDesertRat]

Several years ago, whle part of Team RC on Reef Central, which I parted ways with, I did an evaluation on as many pumps as I could lay my hands on. I cannot search RC but maybe someone with access could dig it up and repost it or link to it so I can get a copy of it again and maybe update the tests.
At the time I used a 0-10 psi calibrated traceable pressure gauge to measure head, ball and gate valves, PVC and vinyl tubing, a 1" water flow meter, a digital thermometer, and graduated vessels to hold water for the smaller pumps and my inground swimming pool for the larger pumps.
I tested several sizes of Mags, Rio Hyperflo, Via Aqua, Taam Rio, Quiet One, Ocean Runner, Eheim and possibly more I have forgotten that were on the market at the time. What I found was the Ocean Runner 3500 and Eheim were very similar, both very efficient as far as watts per gallon pumped, handled headloss well, did not produce as much heat as other similar sized pumps and were very quiet both internal and external. Mags as a whole drew more power than comparable sized pumps under the same conditions, were quite noisy under most conditions and ran hotter than most. Rio Hyperflo produced quite a bit of water but was not as efficient as claimed and did not last long term due to a swelled magnet and misaligned ceramic shaft.

The Quiet One was the worst of the bunch. It had trouble restarting, rattled like crazy, ran so hot you could not comfortably lay your hand on it and drew quite a bit more power than advertised compared to the Eheim and Ocean Runner that actually drew less than claimed and handled greater head then claimed. I later tried another brand new Quiet One 4000 since mine literally caught on fire, sparks flames and all, and I bought a replacement thinking it was a fluke. Same thing as far as being inefficient, hot and having restart problems. I even tested a Quiet One 1200 I bought for a calcium reactor circulation pump and believe it or not it sprung a leak through the windings of the motor and electrified my tank again. I was reaching down under my stand to see where the water was leaking from since I was topping off daily and got a shock . Never again, all of them went in the trash!

If someone could locate that test from probably 8-10 years ago I would really appreciate it. I would like to update it with pumps available today like the Water Blasters, Tunze and others that were not available at that time. I do not thing Mag pumps have improved any since the design has not changed in 30+ years but as Binford said, they are reliable, even if that is their only selling point. I still have two but my only use for them is mixing new saltwater in winter months, this saves having to add a heater since they run so hot, and transferring water from buckets or trash cans.