Help Me Choose a Quiet Return Pump For 180 FOWLR

FinFollowerEd · 08/11/2016, 02:26 PM

Hi all,

I just set up a 180 gallon FOWLR tank. I bought the tank used and the previous owner was using a Mag 12 on it. I've found the Mag 12 to be very noisy and read they use a lot of energy. I have a 1 inch Herbie overflow setup and one 3/4 inch return in the center of the tank. Can anyone help me choose a good QUIET and energy efficient return pump for this system? Would sacrifice some flow if it meant quiet and less energy.

Thanks,
Ed

moondoggy4 · 08/11/2016, 06:19 PM

You could look into the Eco tech vectra line, also check out Marinedepot and the Fluvial SP4 line pumps are really good.

moondoggy4 · 08/11/2016, 06:21 PM

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2593902 Check this thread out as well.

davocean · 08/11/2016, 06:58 PM

I always used Eheim 1262's on my 180's, love those pumps.
Vectra's are nice but not cheap.
I tried a fluval on my present tank, it dropped in flow volume very quickly for some reason, not sure why, level dropped, but it was very quiet

Lsufan · 08/11/2016, 07:17 PM

I like my eheim 1262, it hasn't missed a beat in the 4 years I've been using it. I also have a fluval sp6 that I like. I think I like the fluval just a tiny bit better. If u have your head in the stand u can hear a slight hum but that is the only way u can hear anything on eighther one. I would recommend eighther one, I don't regret getting them. If I was looking for one now I would go with one of the two & if I could afford it I would look into the vectra too.

Mr.Fishtank · 08/11/2016, 07:19 PM

Ecotech vectra L1 for your size tank. I am using the M1 on a reefer 450 and really like it. It runs very quiet. And being able to adjust the flow is great.

FinFollowerEd · 08/11/2016, 07:42 PM

Thanks for the tips, gonna look into all these pumps.

azjohnny · 08/11/2016, 07:44 PM

I use a Laguna Max Flo 1350 which is valved back about 25%. I have 2 which I rotate every 6 months

FinFollowerEd · 08/11/2016, 07:49 PM

I was reading some older threads and people where recommending the water blaster 5000, have those fallen out of favor in recent years?

08/11/2016, 02:26 PM	#1
FinFollowerEd Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 32	Help Me Choose a Quiet Return Pump For 180 FOWLR Hi all, I just set up a 180 gallon FOWLR tank. I bought the tank used and the previous owner was using a Mag 12 on it. I've found the Mag 12 to be very noisy and read they use a lot of energy. I have a 1 inch Herbie overflow setup and one 3/4 inch return in the center of the tank. Can anyone help me choose a good QUIET and energy efficient return pump for this system? Would sacrifice some flow if it meant quiet and less energy. Thanks, Ed

08/11/2016, 06:58 PM	#4
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	I always used Eheim 1262's on my 180's, love those pumps. Vectra's are nice but not cheap. I tried a fluval on my present tank, it dropped in flow volume very quickly for some reason, not sure why, level dropped, but it was very quiet __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

08/11/2016, 06:19 PM	#2
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	You could look into the Eco tech vectra line, also check out Marinedepot and the Fluvial SP4 line pumps are really good.

08/11/2016, 06:21 PM	#3
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2593902 Check this thread out as well.

08/11/2016, 07:17 PM	#5
Lsufan Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Baton Rouge Posts: 1,410	I like my eheim 1262, it hasn't missed a beat in the 4 years I've been using it. I also have a fluval sp6 that I like. I think I like the fluval just a tiny bit better. If u have your head in the stand u can hear a slight hum but that is the only way u can hear anything on eighther one. I would recommend eighther one, I don't regret getting them. If I was looking for one now I would go with one of the two & if I could afford it I would look into the vectra too.

08/11/2016, 07:19 PM	#6
Mr.Fishtank Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Posts: 275	Ecotech vectra L1 for your size tank. I am using the M1 on a reefer 450 and really like it. It runs very quiet. And being able to adjust the flow is great.

08/11/2016, 07:42 PM	#7
FinFollowerEd Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 32	Thanks for the tips, gonna look into all these pumps.

08/11/2016, 07:44 PM	#8
azjohnny Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Gold Canyon Posts: 2,914	I use a Laguna Max Flo 1350 which is valved back about 25%. I have 2 which I rotate every 6 months

08/11/2016, 07:49 PM	#9
FinFollowerEd Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 32	I was reading some older threads and people where recommending the water blaster 5000, have those fallen out of favor in recent years?