Pumps: Badu Vs. Sequence?

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Louie
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Pumps: Badu Vs. Sequence?

Post by Louie »

Hi all,

I'm currently using a Sequence 13,000 litre pump on an 11000 litre pond. The Sequence has to pump through a bead filter and then heater and uv before returning to the pond. Total head of about 1.5m.
I'm not getting a very good turnover at the return...In fact it came out at 3,600 litres an hour :shock: recently but should have increased somewhat as a result of removing a multi-vortex that was in place.
I've just bought a Badu Top 6 which shifts 13.000 litres an hour and am going to see if I can get better turnover with it. If it doesn't improve the flow it won't be wasted as I shall replace my Aquamax 8000 on the skimmer with the new bigger one.
Can anyone tell me how the Badu compares against the Sequence? I know it uses a fair bit more juice (300w v 75w) :shock: , but should I expect it to provide a bit more "Oomph?"
Cheers In Advance!
Louie
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Re: Pumps: Badu Vs. Sequence?

Post by kayoss »

Hi Louie

As I understand the debate on using pumps that use higher wattage, the answer will definitely be Yes! :D

But will it give you 4 times the Oomph for 4 times the running cost? :? Personally, I doubt it. Looking at your figure for the Sequence (3600), you'll need to get 14400 litres an hour out of the Badu - 1400 litres an hour more than it's rated at zero head! :(

More Oomph - probably. More Ouch when the bill comes in - definitely! :evil:

Cheers
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Louie
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Re: Pumps: Badu Vs. Sequence?

Post by Louie »

Cheers Kayoss,

I'm not too worried about getting a massive amount of flow, but would ideally like to be able to turnover the volume of the pond once every hour and a half or so. So if I can achieve a flow rate of around 7,000 litres an hour on the Badu then I'd be happy. There's also the Aquamax on the skimmer doing it's bit too. I reckon it's probably doing 2000 litres an hour (despite being an 8000!), so all in all the total should be good enough.
All the parameters are spot on.......it's just that a lot of the crap isn't getting pulled through into the Pod because of the lack of flow. Not looking for gin......just something a little better than thin porridge!! :D

Louie
kayoss
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Re: Pumps: Badu Vs. Sequence?

Post by kayoss »

Hi Louie

How long are your pipe runs and are there lots of bends in them? The shorter and straighter the runs, the better the flow (given the same head of course!). If they are long or totuous runs, you could try putting another pump in series with the Sequence (needs to be rated at the same output) to give it a boost before it enters the bead filter. I've never tried it, but there's no reason why it shouldn't work in principle. :)

Are you pumping straight from the bottom drain, or are you gravity fed to the pod and then pumping from there? Are you trying to overrun the 3" pipe fitted to the pod? (I'm assuming it's an Eazypod? :oops: )

Have you cleaned the impellors of your pumps lately? If they get blocked over time, you don't notice the gradual decrease in flow. I checked mine the other day and found some of the vanes blocked by dead snail shells and bits of K1 (gets everywhere!). I was anazed at the increased flow once it had been cleaned! :shock: :D

Good Luck
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Louie
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Re: Pumps: Badu Vs. Sequence?

Post by Louie »

Yep, I'm gravity feeding to the Pod and then pumping into the bead filter. I use flexi pipe so I've cut down on as many bends as is humanly possibly. Would love to be able to over run the 3" feed to the Pod but haven't come close yet! I guess I get a 2" drop in the Pod when I switch the Sequence on.
Actually I'm pretty sure there's a few bits of K1 in the Sequence (noise), so I'll give it a once over and see if it helps.
Thanks again!

Louie
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