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[gandgracing]

Which one do I need for an open system like our boilers?  Seems like there are a few different versions. Thank you.

[E Yoder]

Cast iron is fine in an open system provided you maintain proper treatment levels.

[gandgracing]

Does it have to be the bronze model or not

[mlappin]

 Nope, as long as you keep the treatment up no need for bronze.

[gandgracing]

So the ups26-99fc will work?

[mlappin]

So the ups26-99fc will work?

Yep. have a few of them on my system

[gandgracing]

Ok I'm still confused as the ups26-99fc pump says it's for a closed system.  I have a single pump on my stove feeding to a 20 plate and then to my air exchanger and then back to stove. 6 90* elbows and about 5 foot rise to water heater plate and then about 10 foot rise to top or furnace. Then it returns to boiler.   Looks like the bronze is the only open system. And it's way more expensive. So what do I need

[hoardac]

As long as your water is treated with boiler treatment then the cheaper one will be fine. Many people are running them on an open system.

[mlappin]

Run the one we already approved, cast iron is fine, Grundfos is in the business to make money, if they can sell you a bronze one where instead cast iron would be fine, so much the better for them.

I have exactly the same 26-99 cast iron model in my system except its so old it was a single speed, this is like the 16th year for it.

[E Yoder]

We've used hundreds- maybe thousands of cast iron B&G NRF-22's over the years. With treated water they're fine. Without treatment the pump is the least of your worries!
I'd guess the open systems they are recommending bronze for are untreated ones like Hardy uses or radiant that use your domestic water heater to heat.

[f150bft]

I have the Hardy and I Don't have the stainless one that came on it. I bought the stove used and had to buy a pump. Can't remember the name on it right now but it is red and has 3 speeds and I have always ran it on low speed BUT it runs 24-7 all year long. I have not used any water treatment and this is my 4th year with it and have had no issues. I have thought about adding some antifreeze to the water just for the lubrication properties.

[E Yoder]

I've seen the standard cast iron pumps on Hardy furnaces (with no treatment) and they usually run quite a while. They tend to get pretty cruddy over time tho.
Water treatment would work better than antifreeze and not much more expensive.