I have one of these low profile strainers https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/low-p...strainers.html and when I remove it my flow goes up by 2 gph.
You really can't make general statements - the amount of resistance to flow from a strainer is highly dependent on the amount of flow and the design of the strainer. The strainer included with the Varios pumps will clearly have less resistance to flow than the low profile strainer they sell at Bulk Reef Supply.
Regardless, I think Neptune should either include a strainer or make one available. It's all well that the COR can alert you when it sucks in a snail and shuts down, but it's even better to keep the snail out of the pump completely, and the non-NPT fitting on the pump makes fitting a strainer difficult.
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