Pump recommendation

Floop70 · 10/06/2009, 08:22 AM

I'm in the midst of setting up a 90g FOWLR and have found that the used pump that came with the tank is too noisy. I am looking for recommendations for a return pump. My overflow is 1.5 inch PVC and I would like a pump as quiet as possible pushing between 800 - 1100 gph.

ackee · 10/06/2009, 08:50 AM

If external to the sump, an Iwaki 30 circulation pump, if in the sump, an Eheim 1262. Both are quiet running, very high quality. The Blue Line Iwaki equivalents are less expensive, and almost, but not quite, as beautifuly built. They are supposed to be quieter than an Iwaki, but this is not true. They have a higher pitch, more noticable, I think.

Floop70 · 10/06/2009, 08:59 AM

Sorry... should have specified it's in the sump. Thanks for the reply.

nyvp · 10/06/2009, 01:37 PM

for in sump ya cant beat the ehiem

anyuser · 10/06/2009, 02:13 PM

I had an Iwaki for about a year but it was very loud and used a ton of power. I downgraded to an OceanRunner 3500 and dropped it in the sump and have been very pleased with it for over a year now.

billdogg · 10/06/2009, 02:21 PM

I too would look no further than the eheim 1262. It will last just about forever with almost no maintenance, is dead silent if you use a short piece of vinyl tubing to connect it to your hard plumbing, and is relatively efficient as well. Yes, it is one of the pricier pumps, but well worth it IMO

Floop70 · 10/07/2009, 08:43 AM

Thank you all for the replies. I think I will go with the Eheim. I've read though that the smaller ones come with suction cups and the 1262 does not... can anyone confirm this?

Thanks!

ackee · 10/07/2009, 09:00 AM

My Eheim 1262 most certainly has suction cups. Very secure suction cups, easily replaceable. I should point out that I've had it running about 5 years, still dead silent, undiminished water flow, simple to clean. It's easily the best in its class, by far.

On another topic, my Iwaki md40rlxt makes some noise, but not much. My md30rlxt is nearly silent. Both have run for years and years, totally trouble free, as has every Iwaki I've ever owned, which is quite a few.

Floop70 · 10/21/2009, 08:21 AM

I got my 1262 last night and got it all hooked up. So far it's not as quiet as I expected. Maybe my expectations were a little high, but I didn't think I'd be able to hear it at all. Maybe it will quiet down a bit after a break-in period. It's not overly loud, but not as quiet as I expected.

On a side note... it didn't come with suction cups, but ones from a Maxi-Jet seemed to work pretty well. :-)

Thanks all, for your help.

10/06/2009, 08:22 AM	#1
Floop70 Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lloydminster, AB Posts: 16	Pump recommendation I'm in the midst of setting up a 90g FOWLR and have found that the used pump that came with the tank is too noisy. I am looking for recommendations for a return pump. My overflow is 1.5 inch PVC and I would like a pump as quiet as possible pushing between 800 - 1100 gph.

10/06/2009, 02:21 PM	#6
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	I too would look no further than the eheim 1262. It will last just about forever with almost no maintenance, is dead silent if you use a short piece of vinyl tubing to connect it to your hard plumbing, and is relatively efficient as well. Yes, it is one of the pricier pumps, but well worth it IMO __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

10/06/2009, 08:50 AM	#2
ackee Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 421	If external to the sump, an Iwaki 30 circulation pump, if in the sump, an Eheim 1262. Both are quiet running, very high quality. The Blue Line Iwaki equivalents are less expensive, and almost, but not quite, as beautifuly built. They are supposed to be quieter than an Iwaki, but this is not true. They have a higher pitch, more noticable, I think.

10/06/2009, 08:59 AM	#3
Floop70 Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lloydminster, AB Posts: 16	Sorry... should have specified it's in the sump. Thanks for the reply.

10/06/2009, 01:37 PM	#4
nyvp Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Hollywood Florida Posts: 3,633	for in sump ya cant beat the ehiem

10/06/2009, 02:13 PM	#5
anyuser Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Georgia Posts: 40	I had an Iwaki for about a year but it was very loud and used a ton of power. I downgraded to an OceanRunner 3500 and dropped it in the sump and have been very pleased with it for over a year now.

10/07/2009, 08:43 AM	#7
Floop70 Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lloydminster, AB Posts: 16	Thank you all for the replies. I think I will go with the Eheim. I've read though that the smaller ones come with suction cups and the 1262 does not... can anyone confirm this? Thanks!

10/07/2009, 09:00 AM	#8
ackee Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 421	My Eheim 1262 most certainly has suction cups. Very secure suction cups, easily replaceable. I should point out that I've had it running about 5 years, still dead silent, undiminished water flow, simple to clean. It's easily the best in its class, by far. On another topic, my Iwaki md40rlxt makes some noise, but not much. My md30rlxt is nearly silent. Both have run for years and years, totally trouble free, as has every Iwaki I've ever owned, which is quite a few.

10/21/2009, 08:21 AM	#9
Floop70 Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lloydminster, AB Posts: 16	I got my 1262 last night and got it all hooked up. So far it's not as quiet as I expected. Maybe my expectations were a little high, but I didn't think I'd be able to hear it at all. Maybe it will quiet down a bit after a break-in period. It's not overly loud, but not as quiet as I expected. On a side note... it didn't come with suction cups, but ones from a Maxi-Jet seemed to work pretty well. :-) Thanks all, for your help.