The Hydor Seltz D 3200 GPH Controllable AC Universal Pump – ReefHacks Review.

Have you wondered about the purpose of a return pump and why it is so important?

Why do you need a pump? Return pumps play a vital role in reef tanks, their primary function is to help with aeration. Aeration is essentially the process by which air circulates and water is moving constantly through various peripherals like sumps, filters, skimmers, etc in a reef tank. Some species of fish and corals will not survive in the absence of pulsing currents. Fish are extremely sensitive and thus return pump is a necessary component for fish tanks. But before getting a new return pump to your aquarium tank, you want to be sure it fits the requirements of your livestock and the size of your system. A wrong kind of return pump can cause a lot of damage to the tank and even to its surroundings.

Recently, as I was reading through various reef forums it was evident that many beginner reefers did not know how to choose the correct pump. When choosing a return pump, for starters it is important that you know how high you need to pump the water, keeping in mind that pumps are engineered to pump water up to a slope. Moreover, if the application requires higher pressure and what kind of flow rate is appropriate at the head height. 

You are probably wondering what is the appropriate head height, the aquatic pump flow rate is often rated at different head heights. Picture it this way, the head as the height needed to pump water into the reef tank hence as the head height increases the flow rate and the pump pressure decreases accordingly. Reef tanks use return pumps to pump water from the sump back into the tank. When pumping water through a return pump, you are going to need a pump with a high enough capacity to be able to maintain the gallons of water that need to be pumped per hour.

Now, sit back, relax and grab a cup of your favourite beverage. I'm going to share with you everything about one of my last upgrades. 

This is the new Hydor Seltz D 3200 GPH Controllable AC Universal Pump.

As a seasoned aquarist, I couldn't resist the opportunity to share my experience of my most recent purchase “The Hydor Seltz D 3200 GPH Controllable AC Universal Pump” for my new clownfish breeding setup. I am quite familiar with the Hydor brand but I have never owned or used a return pump from Hydor before. However, many of my friends have recommended it to me on a number of occasions stimulating me to purchase it.

When I was looking into The Hydor Seltz D it rather reminded me of my experience with AQAMAI Powerhead by Hydor. The AQAMAI powerhead marries technology, performance, and functionality despite its compactness as looks can be deceiving. I really enjoyed the AQAMAI powerhead as it performed efficiently and was remarkably quiet despite its power output. The best part of all was the bridging of cutting edge digital technology and functionality. Please read our full review of AQAMAI here if you want to learn more about this small and powerful powerhead.

The Hydor is a reputable and world-renowned brand, they specialize in technical aquarium products - water pumps, filters, controllers, heaters, skimmers, and other essential equipment for aquariums. They have a broad range of innovative, high performance, versatile and multi-purpose centrifugal and circulation water pumps equipped with smart controllers. The Hydor Seltz Smart Controllers help you to perform various tasks, monitor, and control the conditions of your aquarium. 

So let’s take a closer look.

Characteristics of The Hydor Seltz D 3200 GPH Return Pump.

The Hydor Seltz D Pump is a high-performance dual functioning electronic centrifugal style pump with a controllable flow rate. It is extremely important that your return pump is capable of achieving and maintaining an appropriate flow rate. The more oxygen is circulated and water is moving through the system, the better the water quality is for your corals and other reef tank inhabitants. The Hydor D3200 model current controllable centrifugal pump offers high performance with lower power consumption and reduced heat transmission. And to top it all, the Hydor Seltz D 3200 pump is multi-purpose, it can be used submerged or inline.

And it gets better.

Did you know that the Hydor Seltz D 3200 GPH comes with a pre-fitted filter and different pipe fittings and accessories to enable you to use it outside the tank - essentially operating as an Inline water pump? Who really wants to be running around in search of spare plumbing parts and not to mention all the other unnecessary cost attached. We’ve all been there. Hydor got your back offering you much convenience and as a result, saving you time and money in the long run.

Big news: The Seltz D series has a controller that helps you to adjust the flow rate of your reef tank.

The controller is simple and straightforward to use, it works at the press of two simple buttons +/-, which allows you to adjust the flow rate. You can dial the water pump up or down to match the flow rates of your fish type, corals and reef tank ensemble and achieve the best turn over rates. You want to aim at achieving a turn over of the reef tank at least 30-40 times over a 1 hour period. Turnover = (In Tank Flow + Return Flow) / Tank Volume not including the sump volume. You can also pause the pump for up to five minutes to conduct services or use it as feeding mode.

Technical Specifications for the Hydor Seltz D 3200 GPH Return Pump.

• Flow Rate: max capacity 3200 GPH (gallons per Hour)
• Energy Capacity: 90 watts
• Power Type: AC-Alternating Current.
• Power Head: Hydraulic Power Head max-16 ft
• Dimensions: 8.26" x 3.5" x 4.7" - measurements are in inches
• Applications: Multi- Fresh and Saltwater use.
• Filtration System: Wet and Dry
• Usage: Submersible and In-line
• Control panel: Included with the pump- has a 6 level flow rate setting

So why I've decided to buy this pump for my new setup?

For some time, I had been looking into purchasing a new return pump for setting up a larger grow out system for my clownfish babies. I needed something more powerful than 3000 GPH for not a very expensive price point. One that can be taken apart and put back together easily, easy to clean, comes with additional fittings and accessories, from a reputable brand that I can rely on for spare parts to replace broken or worn out ones.

In addition, I have many friends who like the Hydor Seltz D return pump series, they had nothing but positive things to say about it, so I decided I’ll give it a try as well. Moreover, a close friend of mine who is an experienced aquarist and using the same model, had mentioned to me, that it indeed worked quite well for him and it had exceeded his expectations. How can you beat that?

This time around I wasn't too keen on sticking with a brand. I was very open to other brands, but at the same time, I wasn't in immediate need of a return pump. A number of things factored in altogether made me purchase the Hydor Seltz D 3200 GPH AC.  However, my dear friend’s affirmation and positive experience with the Hydor Seltz D 3200 GPH model heightened my affinity for the D3200 GPH model.

The pump was specifically meant to serve to grow out system with 2000+ clownfishes. With such a large amount of clownfish babies, I wanted to be sure that the pump is capable of pushing enough water through the entire system however not too much that the clownfish babies can't move against the currents or worse getting battered by it.

In the end, what sold me was its performance capabilities, flexibility, it is compact size and it being remarkably quiet despite its power output. In that, it is not disrupting or bothering the fish or myself. The pump has a tech-savvy control panel equipped with an adjustable 6 level flow rate setting and its affordable price point was a huge plus.

Hydor Seltz D 3200 GPH Return Pump - Final Thoughts.

There are several reef tank return pumps entering the market. The reasons for such ample availability of water pumps are attributed to changing and evolving technology, consumer needs and wants. It is the norm to expect new roll outs of aquarium water pump systems and designs. However, I cannot stress enough the importance of sticking to dependable and reputable return pump brands. Reputable brands could save you from emotional pain and long term monetary costs.

In conclusion, I would highly recommend the Hydor D 3200 GPH Controllable Universal Pump. The D 3200 pump is high performing thanks to electronic inverter technology, operating in a closed surface loop. In a closed surface loop, the pump is capable of operating at a maximum flow rate without the risk of heat loss.

The Hydor D 3200 GPH is ideal for various peripherals and suitable for marine and freshwater applications. It’s remarkably quiet as it features a dual VAR (Vibration Absorption System) and designed with smart concepts and configurations saving you a significant portion of your electricity bill. So far I haven't had any issues or negative experiences with it. And I can't wait to see what else Hydor Group is preparing for us in the near future!

What’s your experience with the return pumps? Are you interested, to learn more about how to choose a proper return pump for your setup? As always, we’re here to help you in any way we can!

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Happy Reefing!