recommend a reliable in sump return pump

ambergris caye · 01/31/2012, 01:03 PM

Done with mag drives. Using a mj1200 but would like a little more flow. Kalk drips right mext to it.

ambergris caye · 01/31/2012, 01:05 PM

To clarify I meant that I am done buying another impeller for my mag 5 and mag 7. They are too powerful and too loud anyway.

tkeracer619 · 01/31/2012, 01:33 PM

Look into Ehiem. Very reliable.

moondoggy4 · 01/31/2012, 02:10 PM

Look into the Eheim 1250 then also Tunze has some really nice return pumps. Sicce Syncra pumps also

viggen · 01/31/2012, 02:16 PM

yea... MAG's are noisy little pump

Eheims are much qieter & will run 20+ years

Bubble Blaster pumps are also quiet, they are to new to know how long they will last

ambergris caye · 01/31/2012, 03:41 PM

Do these pumps restart reliably? I don't want to have to take it apart and clean it all the time.

moondoggy4 · 02/01/2012, 12:55 AM

All the ones that I listed restart with no issues. The new Sicce syncra line is used by Elos now for there return pump.

Crusinjimbo · 02/01/2012, 07:11 AM

Eheim!!!

reefernutz · 02/01/2012, 07:54 AM

Eheim all the way. Best pump out there IMO.

Jeremy Blaze · 02/01/2012, 08:08 AM

I've been using a Deep Blue pump for almost a year. HAs been very reliable, quiet and more effiecient than the MAg drive I used before.

swanny · 02/01/2012, 10:35 AM

Since when are Mag's loud? I run two 9.5's in a 120g and can't hear either one. Been running both flawlessly for over four years straight.

Jeremy Blaze · 02/01/2012, 11:28 AM

Some mags are loud, done are dead quiet.
7's 9.5's 18's and 24's are the ones that I have had that have been loud. Some, not all. Noise seems to pop up more when you try and throttle them back.

jcw · 02/01/2012, 03:30 PM

on one of my tanks, i run a pair of eheim 1260's. they are not silent, but have been reliable and restarts without issues.

on another, an atb 1800 flowstar return pump. expensive, but silent.

btw, I didn't think the 1250 flowed enough for my 30gallon cube. I'd go 1260 and t off of it to recirculate if needed. Although when compared to a mj1200 I think the flow rate is pretty close based on my use of these pumps in a water change container.

feh · 02/01/2012, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkeracer619

Look into Ehiem. Very reliable.

+1 Definitely Eheim. All my Eheims are quiet. I do get a little vibration sometimes but nothing a nice dampening pad can't solve.

Agu · 02/01/2012, 05:25 PM

I'm using the same MJ 1200 powerhead as a return pump and it's marginal at best. I've been looking at the Maxi Jet 1800 pump as an alternative. However the original Maxijets were made in Italy and the "Pros" are made in China and get terrible reviews. If the MJ 1800 is Italian made it would be a viable alternative at a very reasonable price.

tkeracer619 · 02/01/2012, 07:24 PM

Not a good idea to use maxijets for return pumps.

Lost about $2k in coral frags bc a maxijet 1200 impeller cover came off while I was gone... I know it was the first time it had ever happened to me and never had heard of it before... At minimum put some zip ties around it to secure it.

tkeracer619 · 02/01/2012, 07:25 PM

Not a good idea to use maxijets for return pumps.

Lost about $2k in coral frags bc a maxijet 1200 impeller cover came off while I was gone... I know it was the first time it had ever happened to me and never had heard of it before... At minimum put some zip ties around it to secure it.

Edit: I went for 3 but RC said 2 was enough

Agu · 02/01/2012, 08:11 PM

I've been using a MJ 1200 as a return pump on a ten over ten about 8 years without issue

.

On my 30 over ten I want/need more flow from the return pump. Had a Mag 5 but it was too much flow and loud.

Casey8 · 02/01/2012, 08:26 PM

Eheim is the best for return pump. Quiet and no heat release.

Mark Bianco · 02/01/2012, 08:33 PM

If you have a sump and are willing to drill and add a bulkhead then the way to go is the the new Reeflo Blowhole... Very quiet, adjustable, and works flawlessly..

Other then that Ehimes are the way to go.

HaroldT · 02/01/2012, 09:38 PM

+ 1 on the Eheim 1250.

Very reliable.

Homeytwist · 02/01/2012, 10:01 PM

+1 for Eheim. I've got a 1262 running in my system for two years, zero problems, and it was a well used pump before I bought it.

calcuta · 02/02/2012, 10:17 PM

Just be aware when you drip kalk into your return area you need to clean pump often

01/31/2012, 01:03 PM	#1
ambergris caye Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Waterloo, iowa Posts: 116	recommend a reliable in sump return pump Done with mag drives. Using a mj1200 but would like a little more flow. Kalk drips right mext to it.

01/31/2012, 01:33 PM	#3
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Look into Ehiem. Very reliable. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

01/31/2012, 02:16 PM	#5
viggen Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 2,213	yea... MAG's are noisy little pump Eheims are much qieter & will run 20+ years Bubble Blaster pumps are also quiet, they are to new to know how long they will last __________________ A tub of fish

02/01/2012, 07:11 AM	#8
Crusinjimbo Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Wesley Chapel FL Posts: 751	Eheim!!! __________________ Jimbo 13.5G EVO

02/01/2012, 08:08 AM	#10
Jeremy Blaze Former Reef Addict Join Date: May 2003 Location: New Washington, IN Posts: 5,864	I've been using a Deep Blue pump for almost a year. HAs been very reliable, quiet and more effiecient than the MAg drive I used before. __________________ Trust me my friend, the names are not important at all. I've own hundreds of different zoas and palys and don't know the name of a single one. In my opinion, they are a waste of valuable time. Mucho Reef

01/31/2012, 01:05 PM	#2
ambergris caye Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Waterloo, iowa Posts: 116	To clarify I meant that I am done buying another impeller for my mag 5 and mag 7. They are too powerful and too loud anyway.

01/31/2012, 02:10 PM	#4
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Look into the Eheim 1250 then also Tunze has some really nice return pumps. Sicce Syncra pumps also

01/31/2012, 03:41 PM	#6
ambergris caye Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Waterloo, iowa Posts: 116	Do these pumps restart reliably? I don't want to have to take it apart and clean it all the time.

02/01/2012, 12:55 AM	#7
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	All the ones that I listed restart with no issues. The new Sicce syncra line is used by Elos now for there return pump.

02/01/2012, 07:54 AM	#9
reefernutz Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 235	Eheim all the way. Best pump out there IMO.

02/01/2012, 10:35 AM	#11
swanny Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: denver Posts: 406	Since when are Mag's loud? I run two 9.5's in a 120g and can't hear either one. Been running both flawlessly for over four years straight. __________________ 120 gallon soon to be (hopefully) sps dominant. Current Tank Info: 120g rr

02/01/2012, 11:28 AM	#12
Jeremy Blaze Former Reef Addict Join Date: May 2003 Location: New Washington, IN Posts: 5,864	Some mags are loud, done are dead quiet. 7's 9.5's 18's and 24's are the ones that I have had that have been loud. Some, not all. Noise seems to pop up more when you try and throttle them back. __________________ Trust me my friend, the names are not important at all. I've own hundreds of different zoas and palys and don't know the name of a single one. In my opinion, they are a waste of valuable time. Mucho Reef

02/01/2012, 03:30 PM	#13
jcw Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: elmhurst, il Posts: 1,778	on one of my tanks, i run a pair of eheim 1260's. they are not silent, but have been reliable and restarts without issues. on another, an atb 1800 flowstar return pump. expensive, but silent. btw, I didn't think the 1250 flowed enough for my 30gallon cube. I'd go 1260 and t off of it to recirculate if needed. Although when compared to a mj1200 I think the flow rate is pretty close based on my use of these pumps in a water change container. __________________ I don't think Coral can live very long under Sun light. It's too yellow. ...get yourself some LED's. -eznet2u Current Tank Info: 125g DT, custom 30g sump, ATB elegance, eheim 1260, mp40 (too many failed wetsides), gyre 150 (love it)

02/01/2012, 05:25 PM	#15
Agu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 30,279	I'm using the same MJ 1200 powerhead as a return pump and it's marginal at best. I've been looking at the Maxi Jet 1800 pump as an alternative. However the original Maxijets were made in Italy and the "Pros" are made in China and get terrible reviews. If the MJ 1800 is Italian made it would be a viable alternative at a very reasonable price. __________________ Less technology , more biology . Current Tank Info: 30 gallon half cube and 5.5, both reef tanks

02/01/2012, 07:24 PM	#16
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Not a good idea to use maxijets for return pumps. Lost about $2k in coral frags bc a maxijet 1200 impeller cover came off while I was gone... I know it was the first time it had ever happened to me and never had heard of it before... At minimum put some zip ties around it to secure it. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

02/01/2012, 07:25 PM	#17
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Not a good idea to use maxijets for return pumps. Lost about $2k in coral frags bc a maxijet 1200 impeller cover came off while I was gone... I know it was the first time it had ever happened to me and never had heard of it before... At minimum put some zip ties around it to secure it. Edit: I went for 3 but RC said 2 was enough __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

02/01/2012, 08:11 PM	#18
Agu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 30,279	I've been using a MJ 1200 as a return pump on a ten over ten about 8 years without issue . On my 30 over ten I want/need more flow from the return pump. Had a Mag 5 but it was too much flow and loud. __________________ Less technology , more biology . Current Tank Info: 30 gallon half cube and 5.5, both reef tanks

02/01/2012, 08:26 PM	#19
Casey8 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 169	Eheim is the best for return pump. Quiet and no heat release.

02/01/2012, 08:33 PM	#20
Mark Bianco In Memoriam Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Infinity and Beyond Posts: 2,445	If you have a sump and are willing to drill and add a bulkhead then the way to go is the the new Reeflo Blowhole... Very quiet, adjustable, and works flawlessly.. Other then that Ehimes are the way to go.

02/01/2012, 09:38 PM	#21
HaroldT Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Fresno, California Posts: 582	+ 1 on the Eheim 1250. Very reliable.

02/01/2012, 10:01 PM	#22
Homeytwist Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Surrey BC Posts: 232	+1 for Eheim. I've got a 1262 running in my system for two years, zero problems, and it was a well used pump before I bought it. __________________ 70gal custom rimless mixed reef with DIY stand, sump, SS light fixture - March 2010 8gal nano reef build in in progress, LED lighting, DIY all the way

02/02/2012, 10:17 PM	#23
calcuta Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Motor City Posts: 8	Just be aware when you drip kalk into your return area you need to clean pump often