Best return pump?

prose · 11/21/2016, 09:36 AM

I currently run a mag 7 for a return pump but dont care for it, just checking in with others to see what else is out there!

slief · 11/21/2016, 09:49 AM

Do you have a budget?

scooter31707 · 11/21/2016, 11:32 AM

I really love my Simplicity.

steamboatreef · 11/21/2016, 12:11 PM

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JECOD-JEBAO-...-/252462460394

Take a serious look at the Jebao DCP-6500

It's their third generation pump, uses far less power than AC pumps and many comparable DC pumps are north of $200. The quality is there and the second generation DCS pumps are widely used and well reviewed making one believe the new third generation is solid.

wfv57 · 11/21/2016, 04:19 PM

Best pump I have had by far is Red Dragon. That said with budget in mind Eheim has also been a winner for submersible. A lot of good choices if external pumps can work with your setup.

soverjas · 11/21/2016, 04:33 PM

+1 vote for a DC brushless pumps that are controllable. Its nice to oversize a little run at a lower setting that will make them super quiet and consume less power.

+1 Red Dragon if you can afford it.
I like the Vectra also because of the calibration and battery backup option.

zooman72 · 11/21/2016, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slief

Do you have a budget?

Yeah, this is important...

Sicce pumps are a common and well-regarded AC pump - the Syncra 3 is just a bit more in price, but much better in quality. For double the cost, but electronically adjustable, the Tunze 1073.050 would be my choice (and the motor block is made by Sicce).

If I were to choose a comparable (in $$$) DC pump, the Waveline DC2500 is similar in price and flow to your previous pump, but may be just as problematic as the Jebao brand DC pumps (some reviews say yes, the others no). Many people here swear by the Jebaos, even though I do wonder about their longevity and quality (as I do with many of the Chinese-made pumps) - too many reports (plus my own experience) out there to be ignored. Maybe the newer models will fair better...

If you can afford a better DC pump, there are options, and the EcoTech Vectra M1 would be my choice - simply better quality and warranty.

slief · 11/21/2016, 08:08 PM

What also wasn't asked by anybody is the display size and that is also an important factor when choosing a pump. How can anybody recommend a proper pump without knowing that or even the head height?? Granted, I should have asked that in my first post too.

In my opinion and experience, the best pump by far on a budget is the Fluval SP series. It's infinitely more reliable than a Jebao DC pump and with proper maintenance will last several years or more instead of 1-3 years. It uses a proven Askoll block which is proven to last 10 years plus with proper maintenance.

Other things to take into consideration are noise requirements becaue "best pump" is relative to many factors and longevity happens to be a key factor.. As such, it's real difficult for anybody to make a proper recommendation on a return pump without knowing all the details including but not limited to budget.

ksed · 11/21/2016, 09:07 PM

Agreed on the Fluval so series. Also very quiet pump.

gcarroll · 11/21/2016, 10:48 PM

Agreed with slief and ksed! Fluval all the way. That was my choice when I was going to set up my new tank but then I went crazy!

moondoggy4 · 11/22/2016, 12:13 AM

If you are using a Mag 7 try the Fluvial SP2 pump, sometimes Amazon has them cheaper also Black Friday is here.

prose · 12/02/2016, 07:26 PM

has anyone used the vectras?

prose · 12/02/2016, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slief

Do you have a budget?

lets say 300$

R1ant04 · 12/02/2016, 07:34 PM

Fluval sp series....there is 1 n the 4sale section.

zsuman101 · 12/02/2016, 08:03 PM

tunze sicce ehiem. in that order

FirstContact · 12/02/2016, 10:51 PM

Well, I read someone mentioned warranties in regards to pumps. Sicce warranties their pumps for 3-5 years depending on where you buy them and how you register them.

I have a Sicce feeding my recirculating skimmer and another on my GFO reactor. Use an Eheim 1262 for water changes, and a Waveline DC12000 to provide for my DT, upstream refugium, ozone & carbon reactor, and whatever else I attach to my manifold. The Waveline replaced the Eheim.

I've been happy with all of these pumps. The DC12000 runs around or just under $300 and is way overpowered for my set up, but I like it that way and hope it lasts as long as my Eheim has. The less powerful Wavelines are less expensive.

I can't imagine not running a DC pump as the main pump as they are so flexible and adjustable with regards to flow rate, are rather inexpensive, quite powerful, have soft starts, and use less electricity.

grigsy · 12/03/2016, 09:27 PM

+ 1 on Eheim or Fluval. Both great options.

Raul-7 · 12/03/2016, 10:40 PM

Fluval SP6; works perfectly.

UFO8MyCow · 12/03/2016, 11:17 PM

I am using a reef octopus varios 2 and live it. It is so silent that the only thing I could hear after I installed it was the skimmer air intake line so I plumbed it to the basement fish room. And now I have a truly silent tank.

prose · 12/06/2016, 08:38 AM

ive done some research on the vectra seem kinda hard to dial in and what not....any suggestions to this?

this is me · 12/06/2016, 09:46 AM

Not sure what you mean by hard to dial in on the Vectra. I have the L1 and I can throttle up or down the flow rate. If that's not enough, you can always use a valve to further tune the flow rate you want.

CorbinSawyer · 12/07/2016, 08:09 PM

I love the new Jeboa pumps. Probably all i use from now on

Sent from my SM-J320V using Tapatalk

prose · 12/12/2016, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by this is me

Not sure what you mean by hard to dial in on the Vectra. I have the L1 and I can throttle up or down the flow rate. If that's not enough, you can always use a valve to further tune the flow rate you want.

I could have sworn I saw a video where you had to like calibrate it or set it a specific way

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

prose · 12/12/2016, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CorbinSawyer

I love the new Jeboa pumps. Probably all i use from now on

Sent from my SM-J320V using Tapatalk

Have any good links to find some info on them?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

RedStangGA · 12/12/2016, 07:22 PM

Be wary of cheap return pumps. Bu cheap, I mean quality, not price. We all should have a backup so it seems easy to go for a cheap pump because the backup is cheap too. Just keep in mind that if your return dies while you're gone for an extended period of time, as little as a weekend, your tank could die with it.

I've gone down the cheap path and realized there's a reason why most folks who've been in the hobby for a long time continue to be slow to embrace new fads or cheap equipment.

And again, I'm talking cheap, not inexpensive. From what I've seen most people can get a good quality pump that meets their tank's needs for very close to the cost of the jebao without the worry that it will die in 2 months, 6 months, or even 2 years.

Most of my experience has been with an Eheim. A Waveline didn't perform to expectations and died not much later as a mixing pump. I just purchased a used Sicce for a return on my 220 but it will likely become the backup as I currently have my eye on the Fluval SP4. I was tempted, heavily, by the Vectra's but I'd like to see longevity before I commit to one as my return.

Good luck with your choice though!

11/21/2016, 09:36 AM	#1
prose Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 143	Best return pump? I currently run a mag 7 for a return pump but dont care for it, just checking in with others to see what else is out there!

11/21/2016, 09:49 AM	#2
slief RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14,173	Do you have a budget? __________________ Director Customer Support Royal Exclusiv USA For All Royal Exclusiv & Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: 480G display mixed reef, 90G sump, 90G refugium, 60G display refugium. Check out my build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476

11/21/2016, 08:08 PM	#8
slief RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14,173	What also wasn't asked by anybody is the display size and that is also an important factor when choosing a pump. How can anybody recommend a proper pump without knowing that or even the head height?? Granted, I should have asked that in my first post too. In my opinion and experience, the best pump by far on a budget is the Fluval SP series. It's infinitely more reliable than a Jebao DC pump and with proper maintenance will last several years or more instead of 1-3 years. It uses a proven Askoll block which is proven to last 10 years plus with proper maintenance. Other things to take into consideration are noise requirements becaue "best pump" is relative to many factors and longevity happens to be a key factor.. As such, it's real difficult for anybody to make a proper recommendation on a return pump without knowing all the details including but not limited to budget. __________________ Director Customer Support Royal Exclusiv USA For All Royal Exclusiv & Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: 480G display mixed reef, 90G sump, 90G refugium, 60G display refugium. Check out my build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476

11/21/2016, 10:48 PM	#10
gcarroll Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 9,666	Agreed with slief and ksed! Fluval all the way. That was my choice when I was going to set up my new tank but then I went crazy! __________________ 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, ...

12/02/2016, 08:03 PM	#15
zsuman101 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 434	tunze sicce ehiem. in that order __________________ Full zeovit 24x24 starfire ati t5 radions ecotech and sicce pumps tunze skimmer apex gold yeah its nuts

11/21/2016, 11:32 AM	#3
scooter31707 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 4,971	I really love my Simplicity.

11/21/2016, 12:11 PM	#4
steamboatreef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 20	http://www.ebay.com/itm/JECOD-JEBAO-...-/252462460394 Take a serious look at the Jebao DCP-6500 It's their third generation pump, uses far less power than AC pumps and many comparable DC pumps are north of $200. The quality is there and the second generation DCS pumps are widely used and well reviewed making one believe the new third generation is solid.

11/21/2016, 04:19 PM	#5
wfv57 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Tennessee Posts: 40	Best pump I have had by far is Red Dragon. That said with budget in mind Eheim has also been a winner for submersible. A lot of good choices if external pumps can work with your setup.

11/21/2016, 04:33 PM	#6
soverjas Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Detroit Michigan Posts: 98	+1 vote for a DC brushless pumps that are controllable. Its nice to oversize a little run at a lower setting that will make them super quiet and consume less power. +1 Red Dragon if you can afford it. I like the Vectra also because of the calibration and battery backup option.

11/21/2016, 09:07 PM	#9
ksed Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 1,867	Agreed on the Fluval so series. Also very quiet pump.

11/22/2016, 12:13 AM	#11
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	If you are using a Mag 7 try the Fluvial SP2 pump, sometimes Amazon has them cheaper also Black Friday is here.

12/02/2016, 07:26 PM	#12
prose Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 143	has anyone used the vectras?

12/02/2016, 07:34 PM	#14
R1ant04 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 232	Fluval sp series....there is 1 n the 4sale section.

12/02/2016, 10:51 PM	#16
FirstContact Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Glenn Dale, MD Posts: 1,613	Well, I read someone mentioned warranties in regards to pumps. Sicce warranties their pumps for 3-5 years depending on where you buy them and how you register them. I have a Sicce feeding my recirculating skimmer and another on my GFO reactor. Use an Eheim 1262 for water changes, and a Waveline DC12000 to provide for my DT, upstream refugium, ozone & carbon reactor, and whatever else I attach to my manifold. The Waveline replaced the Eheim. I've been happy with all of these pumps. The DC12000 runs around or just under $300 and is way overpowered for my set up, but I like it that way and hope it lasts as long as my Eheim has. The less powerful Wavelines are less expensive. I can't imagine not running a DC pump as the main pump as they are so flexible and adjustable with regards to flow rate, are rather inexpensive, quite powerful, have soft starts, and use less electricity. __________________ No man is an island entire of itself; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. John Donne Current Tank Info: 120g Reef 100g Rubbermaid Sump, 20g Refugium; previous tank: 46g Drilled; Self Plumbed, Birds Nest, Anchor, Xenia, Zoas, Yuma Yuma Ricordea, Chalice, Mushrooms, Brain, Acan, Anenome Plate; Clams, Other Inverts, Fish, Live Rock

12/03/2016, 09:27 PM	#17
grigsy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 2,307	+ 1 on Eheim or Fluval. Both great options.

12/03/2016, 10:40 PM	#18
Raul-7 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Lomita, CA Posts: 891	Fluval SP6; works perfectly.

12/03/2016, 11:17 PM	#19
UFO8MyCow Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 149	I am using a reef octopus varios 2 and live it. It is so silent that the only thing I could hear after I installed it was the skimmer air intake line so I plumbed it to the basement fish room. And now I have a truly silent tank.

12/06/2016, 08:38 AM	#20
prose Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 143	ive done some research on the vectra seem kinda hard to dial in and what not....any suggestions to this?

12/06/2016, 09:46 AM	#21
this is me Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: MA Posts: 4,074	Not sure what you mean by hard to dial in on the Vectra. I have the L1 and I can throttle up or down the flow rate. If that's not enough, you can always use a valve to further tune the flow rate you want. __________________ Nick When a man talks dirty to a woman, it's sexual harassment. When a woman talks dirty to a man, it's $4.95 per minute. Current Tank Info: Miracle 360 gallons

12/07/2016, 08:09 PM	#22
CorbinSawyer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 90	I love the new Jeboa pumps. Probably all i use from now on Sent from my SM-J320V using Tapatalk

12/12/2016, 07:22 PM	#25
RedStangGA Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Winter Garden, FL Posts: 1,052	Be wary of cheap return pumps. Bu cheap, I mean quality, not price. We all should have a backup so it seems easy to go for a cheap pump because the backup is cheap too. Just keep in mind that if your return dies while you're gone for an extended period of time, as little as a weekend, your tank could die with it. I've gone down the cheap path and realized there's a reason why most folks who've been in the hobby for a long time continue to be slow to embrace new fads or cheap equipment. And again, I'm talking cheap, not inexpensive. From what I've seen most people can get a good quality pump that meets their tank's needs for very close to the cost of the jebao without the worry that it will die in 2 months, 6 months, or even 2 years. Most of my experience has been with an Eheim. A Waveline didn't perform to expectations and died not much later as a mixing pump. I just purchased a used Sicce for a return on my 220 but it will likely become the backup as I currently have my eye on the Fluval SP4. I was tempted, heavily, by the Vectra's but I'd like to see longevity before I commit to one as my return. Good luck with your choice though! __________________ Marineland 220, Marineland 60 Cube