A/C or D/C Return Pump?

Cthehentz · 02/18/2017, 09:28 AM

Back story, my octopus protein skimmer pump (bought new in 2009) failed and shorted out in the sump causing everything in the main tank to close up and few things did die. My local fish store sold me on the new Bubble magus Curve A8 DC unit.

My return pump (MAG 12) is about ten years old now and has never failed, never had an issue. My question is I feel like I am on borrowed time with the return pump so should I upgrade to a new DC style pump or stick with a MAG drive pump? Keep in mind I have $150 budget.

tkeracer619 · 02/18/2017, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cthehentz

Back story, my octopus protein skimmer pump (bought new in 2009) failed and shorted out in the sump causing everything in the main tank to close up and few things did die. My local fish store sold me on the new Bubble magus Curve A8 DC unit.

My return pump (MAG 12) is about ten years old now and has never failed, never had an issue. My question is I feel like I am on borrowed time with the return pump so should I upgrade to a new DC style pump or stick with a MAG drive pump? Keep in mind I have $150 budget.

I'd consider an eheim if you want to swap the pump.

sirreal63 · 02/18/2017, 01:11 PM

A/C or D/C isn't the consideration, the amount of watts and flow is. That Mag, while bulletproof and an excellent pump is the same thing as a 90 watt heater left on continuously. While looking at pumps, try and find one that has the flow you want with the least wattage consumed. I hate to recommend a pump but there are plenty to choose from. Considering where you live paying attention to wattage becomes important.

luvreefs23 · 02/18/2017, 03:00 PM

I'd spend another extra 50 bux and get a sicce syncra 5
If you need 1200 gallons of flow your gonna be close to 70-90 watts regardless but the sicce is so much quieter and they are reliable

sirreal63 · 02/18/2017, 03:17 PM

To add, unless you are running 1-1/2" plumbing for the return then your flow is significantly less than 1200gph. RC home page has a head loss calculator that has the Mag in it.

gcarroll · 02/18/2017, 04:20 PM

I have had a lot of friends say that they want to buy a DC pump when their Mag crapped out.

My response, "Good luck on that!" Not because I'm not the biggest fan of DC pumps, but because I understand just how slim of a chance that they will ever get to go DC. Along with Eheim 12xx pumps and 10xx pumps, they are the most reliable bulletproof pumps on the market.

RegalAngel · 02/18/2017, 05:36 PM

Just put in an Ecotech Vectra L1 on my 300g closed loop. Replaced a Pan World 200ps.
The pump is very quiet has about 85% the flow and is very valuable in varing flows especially at night....all automatically with ecosmartlive software.
Very pleased I made the switch.
May get one for my open loop as well.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

ksed · 02/18/2017, 06:13 PM

As already mentioned, (gcarroll), if you are looking for reliability nothing is going to beat the simplicity of an A/C pump. In terms of efficiency, there are some AC pumps such as the Askoll or otherwise known as Fluval which are as if not better than DC in efficiency. That said , they are not adjustable as DC. You can always add a ball valve to include adjustability.
I believe the concern with OP is the safety of an AC pump. DC being low voltage can provide that added safety. That being said every aquarium should have GFI outlets. If this is the case this will protect the user and adds the safety factor of high voltage pumps HTH

Reefer40b · 02/18/2017, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ksed

As already mentioned, (gcarroll), if you are looking for reliability nothing is going to beat the simplicity of an A/C pump. In terms of efficiency, there are some AC pumps such as the Askoll or otherwise known as Fluval which are as if not better than DC in efficiency. That said , they are not adjustable as DC. You can always add a ball valve to include adjustability.
I believe the concern with OP is the safety of an AC pump. DC being low voltage can provide that added safety. That being said every aquarium should have GFI outlets. If this is the case this will protect the user and adds the safety factor of high voltage pumps HTH

yea if your just getting a DC pump because you want to control the rate of flow then Just get an AC Pump and use a ball/Gate valve to control it probably cheaper than a top of the line DC pump. Plenty of people do use cheaper jecod pumps DCT that don't consume much wattage and safer. Its whatever your budget is and what your looking to get out of the pump

Cthehentz · 02/18/2017, 11:41 PM

Thanks for all the great ideas, the mag12isfor my 210 plus 40g sump with 1 1/4" tubing and ball valves on both returns. One of you mentioned the AC pump creates a lot of heat and you are spot on, living in Vegas my 210 will hit 80-82 degrees so I run a fan on the sump. How reliable are the D/C pumps??

scuzy · 02/18/2017, 11:55 PM

The new DC are pretty reliable. If you get the royal exclusiv then it's ever more reliable.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

02/18/2017, 09:28 AM	#1
Cthehentz Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 92	A/C or D/C Return Pump? Back story, my octopus protein skimmer pump (bought new in 2009) failed and shorted out in the sump causing everything in the main tank to close up and few things did die. My local fish store sold me on the new Bubble magus Curve A8 DC unit. My return pump (MAG 12) is about ten years old now and has never failed, never had an issue. My question is I feel like I am on borrowed time with the return pump so should I upgrade to a new DC style pump or stick with a MAG drive pump? Keep in mind I have $150 budget.

02/18/2017, 01:11 PM	#3
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	A/C or D/C isn't the consideration, the amount of watts and flow is. That Mag, while bulletproof and an excellent pump is the same thing as a 90 watt heater left on continuously. While looking at pumps, try and find one that has the flow you want with the least wattage consumed. I hate to recommend a pump but there are plenty to choose from. Considering where you live paying attention to wattage becomes important. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

02/18/2017, 03:17 PM	#5
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	To add, unless you are running 1-1/2" plumbing for the return then your flow is significantly less than 1200gph. RC home page has a head loss calculator that has the Mag in it. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

02/18/2017, 04:20 PM	#6
gcarroll Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 9,666	I have had a lot of friends say that they want to buy a DC pump when their Mag crapped out. My response, "Good luck on that!" Not because I'm not the biggest fan of DC pumps, but because I understand just how slim of a chance that they will ever get to go DC. Along with Eheim 12xx pumps and 10xx pumps, they are the most reliable bulletproof pumps on the market. __________________ Greg Carroll I will be at REEF-A-PALOOZA! SPS = Stability Promotes Success Be wary of advice coming from those who will not show you the fruits of their success! Current Tank Info: building: 250g AGE Euro tank, Abyzz A200, Vertex Supra-G filtration, Ecotech Radion Pro LEDs, ...

02/18/2017, 03:00 PM	#4
luvreefs23 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 758	I'd spend another extra 50 bux and get a sicce syncra 5 If you need 1200 gallons of flow your gonna be close to 70-90 watts regardless but the sicce is so much quieter and they are reliable

02/18/2017, 05:36 PM	#7
RegalAngel Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: The Redwood Reef Posts: 908	Just put in an Ecotech Vectra L1 on my 300g closed loop. Replaced a Pan World 200ps. The pump is very quiet has about 85% the flow and is very valuable in varing flows especially at night....all automatically with ecosmartlive software. Very pleased I made the switch. May get one for my open loop as well. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N920A using Tapatalk

02/18/2017, 06:13 PM	#8
ksed Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,867	As already mentioned, (gcarroll), if you are looking for reliability nothing is going to beat the simplicity of an A/C pump. In terms of efficiency, there are some AC pumps such as the Askoll or otherwise known as Fluval which are as if not better than DC in efficiency. That said , they are not adjustable as DC. You can always add a ball valve to include adjustability. I believe the concern with OP is the safety of an AC pump. DC being low voltage can provide that added safety. That being said every aquarium should have GFI outlets. If this is the case this will protect the user and adds the safety factor of high voltage pumps HTH

02/18/2017, 11:41 PM	#10
Cthehentz Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 92	Thanks for all the great ideas, the mag12isfor my 210 plus 40g sump with 1 1/4" tubing and ball valves on both returns. One of you mentioned the AC pump creates a lot of heat and you are spot on, living in Vegas my 210 will hit 80-82 degrees so I run a fan on the sump. How reliable are the D/C pumps??

02/18/2017, 11:55 PM	#11
scuzy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 6,499	The new DC are pretty reliable. If you get the royal exclusiv then it's ever more reliable. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk