Have everything; need help setting up

[Delphinus]

Originally Posted by Bloodasp

The pump was actually $99.99, so the impeller would be much more expensive than buying a new one. (Sorry, I clicked on one of your pic which took me to yours webshots album where i saw a shot you took of your receipt.)

I guess I should have mentioned that mine was the 32HF. It's been a while since I checked into this and it looks like prices have come down somewhat. Now the listed price online for the pump is now $155 and the impeller $99 for the 32. They only list replacement impellers for the 20 ($89), 26, and 32 (both $99). Maybe they don't bother selling for the smaller versions since it looks like it would be equivalent to a whole new pump.

As to what pump I recommend "per se" is a difficult question to answer, each pump will have pros/cons and some will better suit someone to a task over others - it's a little like Ford vs Chevy or something.

In general Mag drives have been dependable workhorses for me, but they are not the quietest nor the least-power draw for the amount of flow. But dependable, and easy to service (ie., can replace the impeller housing if need be, or the impeller itself, for reasonable cost).

Eheims tend to be the best blend of quiet, efficiency at power draw and volume output. But also tend to be the most expensive to buy, so they get you one way or the other.

I'm running a Hydor Seltz as a sump return on one tank and I like the pump. Smaller than the equivalent Mag drive, quieter, and less energy used. For a while there they were really popular and easy to find but nowadays they seem harder to find someone who sells them.

It's not like you should regret the purchase of the Rio Hyperflow. It is a good pump. I just found the longevity factor with it wasn't there though compared to others. If, a year or two from now you find that it's not starting for you, take it apart and check the magnet. If it's a perfect cylinder then it's still fine but if it has started to swell and is more egg shaped then you know that it's done at that point.