Iwaki Pumps?

Does anyone use an Iwaki pump? I was thinking about switching over to an Iwaki external pump for my return pump from my sump to my tank to replace my Quiet One 3000 and I want to find out if they are quiet, reliable, self priming and do they start up after a power failure. Any info would be much appreciated.
Thanks!8)

 

Iwaki's in general are considered some of the best available. I only have one as I'm a cheap bugger. They are also the most $$$. It's about 8-10 years old and still going strong. I'm being brain dead, but I think it is a MD-60 with the Japanese motor. It is now powering the skimmer on 300. There is supposed to be a difference between the Iwaki's with the American motor vs. the Japanese favoring the Japanese. I torn down the wet end, before installing it. It's cosmetically beat from salt exposure, but seems to be going strong. I've heard from others that they have had Iwaki pumps in service for 16 years and they are still going strong. Aside from the price it's hard to say anything bad about them.

So, to answer your question. They are very quiet, durable, will start up after a power failure. I'm not sure about the self priming part. All my external pumps are below the level of the water in the sump. Gravity gets the water to the impeller and the pump takes over from there. Note, all the Iwaki's I've seen say don't run dry. Not that it's ever in the plan, but you should be aware of that. You could loose the wet end if you do.

Out of curiosity, what is the application?

 

I want to use it as the return pump from my sump to the tank to replace my quiet one 3000 pump. I want a pump that is very quiet. The Quiet One pumps make almost no noise and are hard to tell if they are running. The problem with them is that if the power goes out the impellor gets magnetic lock and sometimes doesnt start back up. I was hoping that the Iwaki WD RXT20 was as quiet and would restart. Money's no object, I just want a reliable, quiet and power efficient pump. The Iwaki 20 pumps 540gph at 4' HP and uses only 0.5amps=50watts.
Thanks Blade for the info!

 

I would go with a Eheim if you are looking for quiet and good power consumption...FYI you may want to check out the review section.

 

The DIY sump on the 120? Does it feed the pump via a bulkhead or are you running a hose over the top? I'm not sure I'd use an Iwaki if it is the latter.

 

Right now I'm using a 30g tank for my sump which is in 3 sections. The return pump is sitting in the bottom with plumbing going straight up to the tank, so there is no bulkhead. If I go with an Iwaki pump the tubing woukd have to go over the edge of the tank and drain down to the pump on the floor outside the tank. I might have to have the tank drilled for a bulk head if I want to use the pump.
As far as the Ehiem is concerned, they are not nearly as efficient needing much more wattage. I have researched this. I'm running 3 tanks and power consumtion is a big concern. My ocean runner is rated at 780gph at 40watts and the ocean runner 4000 is 1085gph at 50watts up to 10' headpressure.

 

Raven i suggest you check your research My Eheim Draws 37 watts and its a 1260. I know I tested it....Just a FYI

 

I'd be very concerned about the possibility of it running dry in that set up. I'd hate to fry out an expensive pump like that.

 

Yes, I agree there is a possibilty of burning out the pump, thats why I was asking if they were self priming. I guess I will have to have the tank drilled for a bulk head if I want to use it.
I have checked the listed specks for the Ehiem 1262 pump. Its rated 900gph at 80 watts and I believe 12' HP. I would have a hard time believing a pump that uses 28watts could pump 900gph and a max head pressure of 12'. Check out www.marinedepot.com under water pumps. They have all the specs on Ehiem pumps. Also check out the specs at www.drsfosterandsmith.com and vepets.com. The Eheim 1250 pump is 317gph at 28 watts.

 

I double checked and I am using the 1260 and yes it is only drawing 37 watts..Anyways it does not matter to me what you use. You will have to listen to it not me. I have used alot of pumps so I should know but hey some people have to shoot themselves in the foot to learn. Get yourself a Eheim you won't regret it.
I have used the below
Gen-X PCX-100 (Mak5) 1590 gph 29' (9m) 3000rpm
Iwaki MD30RLXT Water Pump (Japanese Motor)
Dart 100-200 3600gph 2820gph
Ampmaster 2100
Poseidon PS4 External Pump
Sen 900 GPH Submersible & In-line Pump
Mag 7 & 5
Eheim 1260