Need help deciding on a return pump

Amoore311 · 03/25/2009, 01:50 PM

I need some help deciding on a return pump for my tank upgrade.

The tank itself is an Oceanic 180 Gallon (6' x 2' x 2'). Dual Corner overflows.

The sump with either be a standard 55 gallon, or a 30 gallon long with a separate 10 gallon fuge. Everything has to be housed underneath the tank.

The tank is also going to be in my bedroom, so noise is going to be big factor in my decision.

I will have (2) Vortech MP40W for circulation, I may pick up a third down the road. Protein skimmer will be a MSX 250.

I'm not sure if going external is an option, because of the noise level. I can go either way though at this point (internal or external return).

Shoot me over some suggestions, or pumps you have worked with that you like/didn't like.

Thanks.

an411 · 03/25/2009, 01:59 PM

as far as quiet pumps I recommend the eheim or the ocean runner have both running and they are both very quiet pumps

jhoff · 03/25/2009, 04:43 PM

I love my magdrive 9.5 it's in my sump in my TV room you don't even know it's on. if you go external try (bulk reef supply) they have sound dampening pads in there pump section

mchud · 03/25/2009, 05:35 PM

The Tunze silence pumps are great. You cant even hear mine running.

Mike31154 · 03/26/2009, 12:05 AM

You'll be hearing the VorTechs at night, that I can guarantee, unless you find a way to cover the dry side with some sound dampening device. I have one and I love it, but my tank is not in the bedroom.

Having said that, with all the other gear that will be under the tank, the VorTech sound may be drowned out...

biger · 03/26/2009, 12:16 AM

Eheim, dead silent and the vortechs will be quiet as long as u turn them down below 50% at night. At least mine are.

RokleM · 03/26/2009, 07:18 AM

An external PanWorld would work well also depending on if you want to run external or not. I almost guarantee your Vortech's will be louder outside of the tank than a PanWorld will be inside of the stand. I can hear my Vortech's in the basement underneath my 200 when running short pulse (wave).

biger · 03/26/2009, 10:38 AM

I have my vortechs on lagoon and less than 50% and can't hear them over other tank noises. My MH fans are louder.

GSMguy · 03/26/2009, 10:39 AM

ATB flowstar 1500

Alaskan Reefer · 03/26/2009, 11:34 AM

Eheim 1262.

sailfintang · 03/26/2009, 11:43 AM

What erver you get I would recommend to try and use your return as a manifold and get it lorge enought to supply water to everything rather than have multiple pumps running.

Amoore311 · 03/26/2009, 02:39 PM

The vortechs I have already. Noise wise they don't bug me unless they are on pulse, which I probably won't be running in the 180.

If I got internal the Eheim 1262 looks like a good choice. I've used many Eheim products and am always pleased with them.

As far as the manifold goes, wouldn't I have to run an external pump for that? Or can I run one off an eheim 1262? The manifold would power 2 TLF Media Reactors and a Calcium Reactor for the most part, obviously in conjuction with return flow to the tank.

If I have to go external, would the PanWorld 100PX-MD40R External Water Pump - 790gph be fine? Or should I go for more (or less GPH)... assuming I go with the aforementioned manifold.

RokleM · 03/26/2009, 05:04 PM

You can very easily ball valve back the flow on the panworlds.

spsfreak · 03/26/2009, 07:51 PM

Yep +1 ^ I will be doing exactly that with my new 100g.

03/25/2009, 01:50 PM	#1
Amoore311 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ulster County, NY Posts: 2,521	Need help deciding on a return pump I need some help deciding on a return pump for my tank upgrade. The tank itself is an Oceanic 180 Gallon (6' x 2' x 2'). Dual Corner overflows. The sump with either be a standard 55 gallon, or a 30 gallon long with a separate 10 gallon fuge. Everything has to be housed underneath the tank. The tank is also going to be in my bedroom, so noise is going to be big factor in my decision. I will have (2) Vortech MP40W for circulation, I may pick up a third down the road. Protein skimmer will be a MSX 250. I'm not sure if going external is an option, because of the noise level. I can go either way though at this point (internal or external return). Shoot me over some suggestions, or pumps you have worked with that you like/didn't like. Thanks. __________________ 30 Gallon FOWLR 2004-2006 90 Gallon LPS Reef 2006-2008 180 Gallon SPS Reef 2008-20012 100 Gallon Custom Rimless Mixed Reef 2012-2014 29 Gallon Biocube Reef! Current Current Tank Info: 29 Gallon Biocube, StevesLED Upgrade, Neptune Apex

03/25/2009, 05:35 PM	#4
mchud Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Gill Mass Posts: 371	The Tunze silence pumps are great. You cant even hear mine running. __________________ Will miss you Wild Bill RIP Tessa Best friend of 14 years Bob Dog my buddy of 12.5 years Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon Dt, 150 gal sump, 100 gal frag tank and 12000 gal koi pond and 1200 goldfish pond.

03/26/2009, 12:05 AM	#5
Mike31154 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 1,555	You'll be hearing the VorTechs at night, that I can guarantee, unless you find a way to cover the dry side with some sound dampening device. I have one and I love it, but my tank is not in the bedroom. Having said that, with all the other gear that will be under the tank, the VorTech sound may be drowned out... __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: 77g sumpless sw with rock, sand, a few critters, fishes & polyps. Lights, pumps.....

03/26/2009, 12:16 AM	#6
biger Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: colorado Posts: 777	Eheim, dead silent and the vortechs will be quiet as long as u turn them down below 50% at night. At least mine are. __________________ "All that is required for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke Current Tank Info: 180 gal in wall

03/26/2009, 07:18 AM	#7
RokleM Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,687	An external PanWorld would work well also depending on if you want to run external or not. I almost guarantee your Vortech's will be louder outside of the tank than a PanWorld will be inside of the stand. I can hear my Vortech's in the basement underneath my 200 when running short pulse (wave). __________________ -Eric-

03/25/2009, 01:59 PM	#2
an411 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Derby CT Posts: 2,861	as far as quiet pumps I recommend the eheim or the ocean runner have both running and they are both very quiet pumps

03/25/2009, 04:43 PM	#3
jhoff Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Edison New Jersey Posts: 1,082	I love my magdrive 9.5 it's in my sump in my TV room you don't even know it's on. if you go external try (bulk reef supply) they have sound dampening pads in there pump section

03/26/2009, 10:38 AM	#8
biger Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: colorado Posts: 777	I have my vortechs on lagoon and less than 50% and can't hear them over other tank noises. My MH fans are louder. __________________ "All that is required for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing." Edmund Burke Current Tank Info: 180 gal in wall

03/26/2009, 10:39 AM	#9
GSMguy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northern New Mexico Posts: 17,420	ATB flowstar 1500 __________________ Nick. Conehead. Shallow Reef club. Current Tank Info: 48"x27"x14" Envision Acrylic rimless, 6x39w ATi Sunpower, Custom ATB Deluxe Skimmer, 4x tunze nano stream,ATB flowstar 1500, ACJR, Tunze osmolator.

03/26/2009, 11:34 AM	#10
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	Eheim 1262. __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress

03/26/2009, 11:43 AM	#11
sailfintang Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Balt. MD Posts: 788	What erver you get I would recommend to try and use your return as a manifold and get it lorge enought to supply water to everything rather than have multiple pumps running.

03/26/2009, 02:39 PM	#12
Amoore311 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ulster County, NY Posts: 2,521	The vortechs I have already. Noise wise they don't bug me unless they are on pulse, which I probably won't be running in the 180. If I got internal the Eheim 1262 looks like a good choice. I've used many Eheim products and am always pleased with them. As far as the manifold goes, wouldn't I have to run an external pump for that? Or can I run one off an eheim 1262? The manifold would power 2 TLF Media Reactors and a Calcium Reactor for the most part, obviously in conjuction with return flow to the tank. If I have to go external, would the PanWorld 100PX-MD40R External Water Pump - 790gph be fine? Or should I go for more (or less GPH)... assuming I go with the aforementioned manifold. __________________ 30 Gallon FOWLR 2004-2006 90 Gallon LPS Reef 2006-2008 180 Gallon SPS Reef 2008-20012 100 Gallon Custom Rimless Mixed Reef 2012-2014 29 Gallon Biocube Reef! Current Current Tank Info: 29 Gallon Biocube, StevesLED Upgrade, Neptune Apex

03/26/2009, 05:04 PM	#13
RokleM Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 9,687	You can very easily ball valve back the flow on the panworlds. __________________ -Eric-

03/26/2009, 07:51 PM	#14
spsfreak Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Triad Area, NC Posts: 1,182	Yep +1 ^ I will be doing exactly that with my new 100g. __________________ -Matt ><> ><> Worry looks around, Sorry looks back, Faith looks up. Click red house for Pico build page. Current Tank Info: 3g Pico and workin on a new 100g Acrylic setup