DC return pump recommendations for 300DD

mlb75 · 11/01/2016, 12:54 PM

I've got a 300G DD tank that's been up for years and I'm looking to replace the existing return pump (Blueline 70HD I'm 99% sure) with some thing DC based.

Looking for recommendations on what to switch to. I don't necessarily have anything bad to say about the blueline, it's been completely reliable for quite awhile (in the 300 since mid 2010 and on a 180 before that for probably 1 year or two) but figure there's got to be a better alternative now for less power and heat.

The way it is now I've got the return throttled WAY back so what's out there that reasonable and reliable? Must be quiet!

TIA

rees2301 · 11/01/2016, 04:43 PM

Ecotech Vectra, solid, silent & problem free.

mlb75 · 11/01/2016, 05:00 PM

Thanks that's one of the ones I'd looked at but since I haven't stayed all that current on the tech side of this hobby I didn't know if there were other options out there and figured if there were someone here would know.

How do the EcoTech pumps compare to the reef octopus or waveline pumps?

ca1ore · 11/01/2016, 05:40 PM

Depends a lot on how much head pressure. If it's just up from the stand then I'd agree with the vectra, but if it's up from a basement then I'd stick with the pan world.

mlb75 · 11/02/2016, 08:21 AM

It's under the stand in my living room, I've got the BL throttled back probably 80% which is why I'm looking to replace it with something smaller and more efficient. All of my plumbing is oversized which was by design I just didn't realize it would be as efficient as it is.

I'm going to jump this discussion over to http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2607194
since it seems to be pretty much the same discussion.

Thanks for your input.

alton · 11/02/2016, 10:38 AM

When I had my 300DD I ran a Pan World 50PXX

tom obrecht · 11/02/2016, 10:47 AM

I currently run reef octopus D.C.'s as returns and have had zero issues. Silent operation.

jduck · 11/04/2016, 12:26 PM

I replaced my hammerhead with a L1. Never been happier

Mercer · 11/04/2016, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rees2301

Ecotech Vectra, solid, silent & problem free.

I wouldn't say that just yet. I see reports on various forums from users who claim to have experienced a complete failure and they have no way to explain it. EcoTech sent replacements it seems.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlb75

Thanks that's one of the ones I'd looked at but since I haven't stayed all that current on the tech side of this hobby I didn't know if there were other options out there and figured if there were someone here would know.

How do the EcoTech pumps compare to the reef octopus or waveline pumps?

I have the Vectra L1 and Waveline DC12000. The L1 is silent to the point you can't tell it's on. The DC12000 isn't bad but it's not quite silent (yet still better than anything I've had previously).

tldr if I had to buy 1 of the 2 it would probably be the Vectra L1 for now.

Drewl117 · 11/05/2016, 04:55 AM

I have a vectra L1 and so far so good. It replaced a deepwater 12000 which had a bad controller and 2 bad power supplies, I returned it after 9 months of use( imo... junk). I used a wave line on my old tank which was a good pump too, no problems.

11/01/2016, 12:54 PM	#1
mlb75 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chesapeake VA Posts: 399	DC return pump recommendations for 300DD I've got a 300G DD tank that's been up for years and I'm looking to replace the existing return pump (Blueline 70HD I'm 99% sure) with some thing DC based. Looking for recommendations on what to switch to. I don't necessarily have anything bad to say about the blueline, it's been completely reliable for quite awhile (in the 300 since mid 2010 and on a 180 before that for probably 1 year or two) but figure there's got to be a better alternative now for less power and heat. The way it is now I've got the return throttled WAY back so what's out there that reasonable and reliable? Must be quiet! TIA __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: Currently tankless planning ~90G nano

11/01/2016, 05:00 PM	#3
mlb75 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chesapeake VA Posts: 399	Thanks that's one of the ones I'd looked at but since I haven't stayed all that current on the tech side of this hobby I didn't know if there were other options out there and figured if there were someone here would know. How do the EcoTech pumps compare to the reef octopus or waveline pumps? __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: Currently tankless planning ~90G nano

11/01/2016, 05:40 PM	#4
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Depends a lot on how much head pressure. If it's just up from the stand then I'd agree with the vectra, but if it's up from a basement then I'd stick with the pan world. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

11/02/2016, 08:21 AM	#5
mlb75 Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chesapeake VA Posts: 399	It's under the stand in my living room, I've got the BL throttled back probably 80% which is why I'm looking to replace it with something smaller and more efficient. All of my plumbing is oversized which was by design I just didn't realize it would be as efficient as it is. I'm going to jump this discussion over to http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2607194 since it seems to be pretty much the same discussion. Thanks for your input. __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: Currently tankless planning ~90G nano

11/02/2016, 10:47 AM	#7
tom obrecht Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: WI Posts: 3,014	I currently run reef octopus D.C.'s as returns and have had zero issues. Silent operation. __________________ Reef keeping is where Murphy's Law and your bank account collide!! TOTM May 2006

11/01/2016, 04:43 PM	#2
rees2301 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 29	Ecotech Vectra, solid, silent & problem free.

11/02/2016, 10:38 AM	#6
alton Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zuehl, Texas Posts: 4,460	When I had my 300DD I ran a Pan World 50PXX

11/04/2016, 12:26 PM	#8
jduck Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 389	I replaced my hammerhead with a L1. Never been happier __________________ 240 gal. Miracles, 2x150g Frag tanks, 120 gal sump, SRO XT5000 EXT, Abyzz a200, , SRO CR5000D Ca reactor. 4x Ati 8x54w, 4x250w Radiums, Apex. 45g QT

11/05/2016, 04:55 AM	#10
Drewl117 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: NH Posts: 507	I have a vectra L1 and so far so good. It replaced a deepwater 12000 which had a bad controller and 2 bad power supplies, I returned it after 9 months of use( imo... junk). I used a wave line on my old tank which was a good pump too, no problems.