Most quietest, energy efficient pump ?

billdub · 02/21/2006, 07:30 AM

Hey all,
I'm finally tired of my loud obnoxious vibrating pump enough to do something about it. Im looking for some advice on the quietest, most energy efficient 800 gph pump for my 75g fowlr setup. Any suggestions ? Thx for you help !

Bill

agilis · 02/21/2006, 07:58 AM

Submerged pump: Eheim 1262. Rated at 900 gph, I use mine on an EV 180 skimmer (slightly adjusted). The absolute best, dead quiet, best quality around. Low energy use, low heat, beautiful engineering. Expensive ($130), but really worth it. I've tried a bunch, including Sedras, Mag Drives, etc., all highly rated. All made too much noise, esp. vibration. Eheim is SOUNDLESS, vibrationless. There really is no comparison. None.

External: Iwaki, either Japanese or US. #20 or #30, exact model depends on application. Again, the best: quieter, less high pitced hum than the "exact duplicate by Iwaki former engineer. Iwaki 20 virtually soundless, 30 very, very quiet.

OrionM · 02/21/2006, 08:25 AM

I think the mak4's are supposed to be super quiet but quite hot.

DJ88© · 02/21/2006, 08:36 AM

Qietest pump I have ever, and still do, use is the Velocity series.

Or poseidon series. Only way you will know they are running is by touching it.

In comparison to some otehr pumps they aren't too shabby on energy useage either.

I have yet to see a pump that compares. MAK4's sound like a jet taking off in comparison in your living room by comparison.

I'd look at a P-3. OR Even a P-4

Craig Lambert · 02/21/2006, 09:12 AM

I'll second the Velocity/Poseiden pumps. I'm running a T-2 on my 75, and you have to touch it to know if its running. It uses 95 watts, and the actual return is 600gph. It's quiet because it's water cooled, which means that it also adds some heat to the tank.

agilis · 02/21/2006, 09:49 AM

Iwakis are a much better choice than Velocity. Velocity may be very slightly quieter, but both are so quiet that you can't hear either from only a few feet away. Mine is in an enclosed stand, and I can't hear it at all.

Do not minimize the negative importance of heat transfer!!

Having water cool the pump is like having a heater without a thermostat that's on constantly. Heat is a real problem for all aquarists, especially reef, but also fish only, especially during warm weather. The whole idea is to limit heat transfer from equipment, because you can't control it without spending a fortune on chillers, etc. Iwaki pumps are designed to limit heat transfer, are extremely quiet, and better made in general. I've had a WMD 30 running almost constatntly for 10 years. This is typical with Iwakis, which are still the gold standard. I've had Eheim cannister pumps run for almost twenty years. Eventually the plastic and rubber parts failed. The motors still run. Some date back to the 60s.

I'm very sensitive to noise, and my 200 gal aquarium is in my living room. The only audible sounds are from the water overflow and that's been engineered down to a very low level.

I have no vested interest in any of this stuff. In general, Eheim and Iwaki make top of the line pumps that last nearly forever, and are nearly noisless.

sjm817 · 02/21/2006, 10:08 AM

If you are looking for quiet and efficient, why such a high GPH? I use an Eheim 1260 in a 90G/40G sump and it has more than enough flow. Very quiet too.

Theace50 · 02/21/2006, 10:13 AM

Well the MOST energy effiecent and quite pump that is made is Red Dragon pumps and there price tags you better be sitting down when you se there price but well worth it my RD 6.5 is
1800 gph and it uses 45w's

Craig Lambert · 02/21/2006, 10:20 AM

"Iwakis are a much better choice than Velocity."

Have you used both?

agilis · 02/21/2006, 11:06 AM

Craig, people I know have used Velocity pumps, and I've seen them up close. Everyone who uses them has told me that they add heat. A couple of these aquarists have so much MH lighting that the added heat from the pump is not a big issue, because they use big power- hungry chillers anyway. It seems to me that having an external pump cooled by tank water is nearly the same as using a submerged pump.

One individual I know stopped using a T3 because it added several degrees to the temp when he made no other change except for substituting pumps. I personally have not used a Velocity pump. I've used Iwakis for many, many years, with never a problem of any kind.

SJM817, I use the 1262 because it has the extra pressure that allows my protein skimmer to work really well. I'm extremely happy with the combo of the EV 180 skimmer and the 1262. I agree the 1260 is probably all that's needed in your sump return application.

One

TrojanScott · 02/21/2006, 11:11 AM

agilis,
Seeing the Velocity's run, do you think the Eheim is just as quiet?
Close?
I'm going to change to MH's soon, and am worried about the heat issues. I use a Poseidon (same deal) T4, and it's unbelievably silent. I know it transfers heat, but I haven't found it to be more than a degree. Only other external I've used is a Little Giant, which in comparison to the Velocity style pumps, sounds like a jet engine.
I may be looking for another pump shortly, even if it only saves me a degree. If anything, I'll have a good backup.

agilis · 02/21/2006, 11:41 AM

One degree is not a big deal, I think, if that's all it is with your set-up. One friend told me he had more than two degrees with a T3. I have no direct experience, nor have I measured noise levels of the full range of each pump brand. I can tell you that Iwaki 40s and up are more audible than the smaller ones, but are still not bad. The 40 and 55 sizes are usually quieter than water noise, especially if they are enclosed in a cabinet. The noise they make is a low level electric motor whine, not excessive in my opinion, and vanishingly low when you close the door of their undertank enclosure. Iwaki 30s and under are virtually silent.

It's all relative, I suppose, and I can only tell you what my experience has been. I try to keep equipment heat to a minimum, use T5s with Ice Cap fans, and rely on room air conditioning and a sump fan to keep the tank under 80F in summer. I try to be aware of heat transfer with all of the equipment I attach to my aquariums. The multiplied effect of several hot devices, ie: powerheads, lights, circulation pumps, skimmer pumps, etc. can jump up temps surprisingly high. I try to limit the extent so I'm not forced to use a cooler.

Craig Lambert · 02/21/2006, 11:48 AM

The T-3 uses twice the wattage of the T-2 (and provides only marginally better flow), so it would add more heat. My T-2's measured return is 600gph, wich in my opinion is lots of flow for 95 watts. It's also much more energy efficient than an Iwaki. The only threads I've read here about heat problems were posted by people with glass tops, and they're going to have problems with many pumps.

RGibson · 02/21/2006, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Theace50
Well the MOST energy effiecent and quite pump that is made is Red Dragon pumps and there price tags you better be sitting down when you se there price but well worth it my RD 6.5 is
1800 gph and it uses 45w's

Come on tell us how much the red dragon cost.

milhouse74 · 02/21/2006, 11:51 AM

Dolphin pumps?????

moonpod · 02/21/2006, 12:15 PM

You want energy effecient and silence--then Red Dragon is the answer to "best". HOWEVER, the cost is real--probalby 4-5x the cost of any of the other pumps mentioned here.

The Poisident/Velocity pumps are dead silent as well. Very impressive in that respect. Not particularly effecient on the energy consumption. They do however add heat (yes I've owned and used 'em) and if you are going for a truly energy effecient setup you are trying to avoid a chiller and excessive fans (generates noise) and every bit of heat input counts. Remember that while your tank can do ok living in the 80s, every reef I've ever swam in lives at lower temps (mid/high 70s) (granted there ARE regional variations and I've only been in the mid pacific not the indopac). final point on the velocities--if you use 'em and you have a high ca/alk consumption system, you will have to clean these very, very regularly. CA REALLY likes to deposit on these hot impellors.

the small iwakis/bluline hds/panworlds are very, very quiet with little to no heat transfer. Once you get to the "40" size pump level they begin to get noisy. Not particularly "effecient" but ok.

The mak4 is relatively noisy.

Eheims are great for noise and heat transfer--I use one externally on my office tank, no problems.

milhouse74 · 02/21/2006, 12:38 PM

http://www.dolphinpumps.com/

moonpod · 02/21/2006, 12:49 PM

the smaller dolphins are no different than the rest of the assortment of sen/sedra whatever rebadged chinese pumps. Not surprising because...they are!

the larger units are overkill for this application and anyways are notorious for drawing much more electricity than advertised and leaking.

RichConley · 02/21/2006, 12:58 PM

Take a look at the Blueline NS 800. I dont know anything about how quiet they are, but thats definitely the most energy efficient external I've ever seen.

I dont count the red-dragons because the NS is pressure rated, they are not.

BJJ · 02/21/2006, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by OrionM
I think the mak4's are supposed to be super quiet but quite hot.

IMO Mak4 pumps run cool but are a bit noisy. Mine are located in the basement, so its not an issue. What sold me on the MAK4 was price, low power consuption and is quite relaiable and doesnt need oiling like the LG's

Theace50 · 02/21/2006, 02:50 PM

Red Dragon Pump 4.5 m3 9" x 5" 9" 7.5' 48 Watt 1189 g/h $ 599.00

Red Dragon Pump 6.5 m3 9" x 5" 9" 13' 65 Watt 1717 g/h $ 729.00

Red Dragon Pump 8.2 m3 9" x 5" 9" 13' 75 Watt 2166 g/h $ 849.00

Red Dragon Pump 10 m3 9" x 5" 9" 13' 98 Watt 2642 g/h $ 899.00

Red Dragon Pump 12 m3 9" x 5" 9" 12.5' 115 Watt 3117 g/h $ 969.00

Red Dragon Pump 14 m3 9" x 5" 9" 13.75' 135 Watt 3698 g/h $1,219.00

RichConley · 02/21/2006, 04:48 PM

To make up for the energy costs associated with as small of a pump as he needs, it would take tens of years. Red Dragons are simply out of the question for most people.

That being said, for the specs he gave us, the Blueline NS 800 is a better fitting pump than:
Red Dragon Pump 4.5 m3 9" x 5" 9" 7.5' 48 Watt 1189 g/h $ 599.00
and is $450 less.

Its closer to the flow he wants, runs on less power, and is a quarter of the price.

The only issue would be noise, as I'm not sure how loud the bluelines are.

know-it-all · 02/21/2006, 05:59 PM

I havn't seen the heat issues with the T-4 I'm using yet
but it is in the basement and need 800 watts of heaters to keep the sump temp at 78

that said,
It's dead quiet, small, and easily cleaned
but I have not used any other external pumps to compare it to

Theace50 · 02/21/2006, 07:00 PM

i changed over from my mag 18 and asm g6 close to 600w to a RD 6.5 and a BK 250 INT which are 100w and there the best skimmer and pump made. 500w diffrenc is HUGE in NY we are the 2nd highest payin for electric in america. And there DEADSILENT!! I am VERY happy with them

lpm141 · 02/21/2006, 09:05 PM

Eheim 1262

02/21/2006, 07:30 AM	#1
billdub Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: NoVa - Leesburg Posts: 52	Most quietest, energy efficient pump ? Hey all, I'm finally tired of my loud obnoxious vibrating pump enough to do something about it. Im looking for some advice on the quietest, most energy efficient 800 gph pump for my 75g fowlr setup. Any suggestions ? Thx for you help ! Bill

02/21/2006, 08:36 AM	#4
DJ88© Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: BC. Canada. Posts: 14,351	Qietest pump I have ever, and still do, use is the Velocity series. Or poseidon series. Only way you will know they are running is by touching it. In comparison to some otehr pumps they aren't too shabby on energy useage either. I have yet to see a pump that compares. MAK4's sound like a jet taking off in comparison in your living room by comparison. I'd look at a P-3. OR Even a P-4 __________________ Darren Beauty fades.... Stupid is forever...... Current Tank Info: 34 Gal Solana with some lights.. and pumps that make water move. And fish...

02/21/2006, 09:12 AM	#5
Craig Lambert Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,897	I'll second the Velocity/Poseiden pumps. I'm running a T-2 on my 75, and you have to touch it to know if its running. It uses 95 watts, and the actual return is 600gph. It's quiet because it's water cooled, which means that it also adds some heat to the tank. __________________ "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will spend all day in a boat drinking beer." Current Tank Info: 75G Tank, 29G Sump, 100lbs LR, AquaC EV-180, Iwaki MD-20RT return Tunze nano streams 4X54 t-5/Icecap Ballast & SLR's 2x110 vho actinic

02/21/2006, 10:08 AM	#7
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	If you are looking for quiet and efficient, why such a high GPH? I use an Eheim 1260 in a 90G/40G sump and it has more than enough flow. Very quiet too. __________________ - Scott

02/21/2006, 10:20 AM	#9
Craig Lambert Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,897	"Iwakis are a much better choice than Velocity." Have you used both? __________________ "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will spend all day in a boat drinking beer." Current Tank Info: 75G Tank, 29G Sump, 100lbs LR, AquaC EV-180, Iwaki MD-20RT return Tunze nano streams 4X54 t-5/Icecap Ballast & SLR's 2x110 vho actinic

02/21/2006, 07:58 AM	#2
agilis Moved On Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 107	Submerged pump: Eheim 1262. Rated at 900 gph, I use mine on an EV 180 skimmer (slightly adjusted). The absolute best, dead quiet, best quality around. Low energy use, low heat, beautiful engineering. Expensive ($130), but really worth it. I've tried a bunch, including Sedras, Mag Drives, etc., all highly rated. All made too much noise, esp. vibration. Eheim is SOUNDLESS, vibrationless. There really is no comparison. None. External: Iwaki, either Japanese or US. #20 or #30, exact model depends on application. Again, the best: quieter, less high pitced hum than the "exact duplicate by Iwaki former engineer. Iwaki 20 virtually soundless, 30 very, very quiet.

02/21/2006, 08:25 AM	#3
OrionM Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 4	I think the mak4's are supposed to be super quiet but quite hot.

02/21/2006, 09:49 AM	#6
agilis Moved On Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 107	Iwakis are a much better choice than Velocity. Velocity may be very slightly quieter, but both are so quiet that you can't hear either from only a few feet away. Mine is in an enclosed stand, and I can't hear it at all. Do not minimize the negative importance of heat transfer!! Having water cool the pump is like having a heater without a thermostat that's on constantly. Heat is a real problem for all aquarists, especially reef, but also fish only, especially during warm weather. The whole idea is to limit heat transfer from equipment, because you can't control it without spending a fortune on chillers, etc. Iwaki pumps are designed to limit heat transfer, are extremely quiet, and better made in general. I've had a WMD 30 running almost constatntly for 10 years. This is typical with Iwakis, which are still the gold standard. I've had Eheim cannister pumps run for almost twenty years. Eventually the plastic and rubber parts failed. The motors still run. Some date back to the 60s. I'm very sensitive to noise, and my 200 gal aquarium is in my living room. The only audible sounds are from the water overflow and that's been engineered down to a very low level. I have no vested interest in any of this stuff. In general, Eheim and Iwaki make top of the line pumps that last nearly forever, and are nearly noisless.

02/21/2006, 10:13 AM	#8
Theace50 Moved On Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Staten Island,NY Posts: 101	Well the MOST energy effiecent and quite pump that is made is Red Dragon pumps and there price tags you better be sitting down when you se there price but well worth it my RD 6.5 is 1800 gph and it uses 45w's

02/21/2006, 11:06 AM	#10
agilis Moved On Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 107	Craig, people I know have used Velocity pumps, and I've seen them up close. Everyone who uses them has told me that they add heat. A couple of these aquarists have so much MH lighting that the added heat from the pump is not a big issue, because they use big power- hungry chillers anyway. It seems to me that having an external pump cooled by tank water is nearly the same as using a submerged pump. One individual I know stopped using a T3 because it added several degrees to the temp when he made no other change except for substituting pumps. I personally have not used a Velocity pump. I've used Iwakis for many, many years, with never a problem of any kind. SJM817, I use the 1262 because it has the extra pressure that allows my protein skimmer to work really well. I'm extremely happy with the combo of the EV 180 skimmer and the 1262. I agree the 1260 is probably all that's needed in your sump return application. One

02/21/2006, 11:11 AM	#11
TrojanScott Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Lake Forest, CA Posts: 2,229	agilis, Seeing the Velocity's run, do you think the Eheim is just as quiet? Close? I'm going to change to MH's soon, and am worried about the heat issues. I use a Poseidon (same deal) T4, and it's unbelievably silent. I know it transfers heat, but I haven't found it to be more than a degree. Only other external I've used is a Little Giant, which in comparison to the Velocity style pumps, sounds like a jet engine. I may be looking for another pump shortly, even if it only saves me a degree. If anything, I'll have a good backup.

02/21/2006, 11:41 AM	#12
agilis Moved On Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 107	TrojanScott One degree is not a big deal, I think, if that's all it is with your set-up. One friend told me he had more than two degrees with a T3. I have no direct experience, nor have I measured noise levels of the full range of each pump brand. I can tell you that Iwaki 40s and up are more audible than the smaller ones, but are still not bad. The 40 and 55 sizes are usually quieter than water noise, especially if they are enclosed in a cabinet. The noise they make is a low level electric motor whine, not excessive in my opinion, and vanishingly low when you close the door of their undertank enclosure. Iwaki 30s and under are virtually silent. It's all relative, I suppose, and I can only tell you what my experience has been. I try to keep equipment heat to a minimum, use T5s with Ice Cap fans, and rely on room air conditioning and a sump fan to keep the tank under 80F in summer. I try to be aware of heat transfer with all of the equipment I attach to my aquariums. The multiplied effect of several hot devices, ie: powerheads, lights, circulation pumps, skimmer pumps, etc. can jump up temps surprisingly high. I try to limit the extent so I'm not forced to use a cooler.

02/21/2006, 11:48 AM	#13
Craig Lambert Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,897	The T-3 uses twice the wattage of the T-2 (and provides only marginally better flow), so it would add more heat. My T-2's measured return is 600gph, wich in my opinion is lots of flow for 95 watts. It's also much more energy efficient than an Iwaki. The only threads I've read here about heat problems were posted by people with glass tops, and they're going to have problems with many pumps. __________________ "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will spend all day in a boat drinking beer." Current Tank Info: 75G Tank, 29G Sump, 100lbs LR, AquaC EV-180, Iwaki MD-20RT return Tunze nano streams 4X54 t-5/Icecap Ballast & SLR's 2x110 vho actinic

02/21/2006, 11:51 AM	#15
milhouse74 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Sandy Springs, GA Posts: 1,672	Dolphin pumps????? __________________ You said there'd be fudgicles Bart. Where's the fudgicles? Current Tank Info: 30 Cube with 250 Watt 20,000K HQI and a CPR HOB Fuge. A 7.8 Gallon with a 70 Watt 13,000K HQI and a HOB Filter for Carbon Both are mixed LPS SPS and Softie.

02/21/2006, 12:15 PM	#16
moonpod Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: B.H., Los Angeles Posts: 13,053	You want energy effecient and silence--then Red Dragon is the answer to "best". HOWEVER, the cost is real--probalby 4-5x the cost of any of the other pumps mentioned here. The Poisident/Velocity pumps are dead silent as well. Very impressive in that respect. Not particularly effecient on the energy consumption. They do however add heat (yes I've owned and used 'em) and if you are going for a truly energy effecient setup you are trying to avoid a chiller and excessive fans (generates noise) and every bit of heat input counts. Remember that while your tank can do ok living in the 80s, every reef I've ever swam in lives at lower temps (mid/high 70s) (granted there ARE regional variations and I've only been in the mid pacific not the indopac). final point on the velocities--if you use 'em and you have a high ca/alk consumption system, you will have to clean these very, very regularly. CA REALLY likes to deposit on these hot impellors. the small iwakis/bluline hds/panworlds are very, very quiet with little to no heat transfer. Once you get to the "40" size pump level they begin to get noisy. Not particularly "effecient" but ok. The mak4 is relatively noisy. Eheims are great for noise and heat transfer--I use one externally on my office tank, no problems. __________________ Excuses are just the nails for the house of failure. Current Tank Info: 32" Leemar starfire cube now empty and not quite so stinky

02/21/2006, 12:38 PM	#17
milhouse74 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Sandy Springs, GA Posts: 1,672	http://www.dolphinpumps.com/ __________________ You said there'd be fudgicles Bart. Where's the fudgicles? Current Tank Info: 30 Cube with 250 Watt 20,000K HQI and a CPR HOB Fuge. A 7.8 Gallon with a 70 Watt 13,000K HQI and a HOB Filter for Carbon Both are mixed LPS SPS and Softie.

02/21/2006, 12:49 PM	#18
moonpod Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: B.H., Los Angeles Posts: 13,053	the smaller dolphins are no different than the rest of the assortment of sen/sedra whatever rebadged chinese pumps. Not surprising because...they are! the larger units are overkill for this application and anyways are notorious for drawing much more electricity than advertised and leaking. __________________ Excuses are just the nails for the house of failure. Current Tank Info: 32" Leemar starfire cube now empty and not quite so stinky

02/21/2006, 12:58 PM	#19
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	Take a look at the Blueline NS 800. I dont know anything about how quiet they are, but thats definitely the most energy efficient external I've ever seen. I dont count the red-dragons because the NS is pressure rated, they are not. __________________ NO TANKS!!!

02/21/2006, 02:50 PM	#21
Theace50 Moved On Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Staten Island,NY Posts: 101	Red Dragon Pump 4.5 m3 9" x 5" 9" 7.5' 48 Watt 1189 g/h $ 599.00 Red Dragon Pump 6.5 m3 9" x 5" 9" 13' 65 Watt 1717 g/h $ 729.00 Red Dragon Pump 8.2 m3 9" x 5" 9" 13' 75 Watt 2166 g/h $ 849.00 Red Dragon Pump 10 m3 9" x 5" 9" 13' 98 Watt 2642 g/h $ 899.00 Red Dragon Pump 12 m3 9" x 5" 9" 12.5' 115 Watt 3117 g/h $ 969.00 Red Dragon Pump 14 m3 9" x 5" 9" 13.75' 135 Watt 3698 g/h $1,219.00

02/21/2006, 04:48 PM	#22
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	To make up for the energy costs associated with as small of a pump as he needs, it would take tens of years. Red Dragons are simply out of the question for most people. That being said, for the specs he gave us, the Blueline NS 800 is a better fitting pump than: Red Dragon Pump 4.5 m3 9" x 5" 9" 7.5' 48 Watt 1189 g/h $ 599.00 and is $450 less. Its closer to the flow he wants, runs on less power, and is a quarter of the price. The only issue would be noise, as I'm not sure how loud the bluelines are. __________________ NO TANKS!!!

02/21/2006, 05:59 PM	#23
know-it-all Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: in my now frozen chair (aka Wisconsin) Posts: 1,488	I havn't seen the heat issues with the T-4 I'm using yet but it is in the basement and need 800 watts of heaters to keep the sump temp at 78 that said, It's dead quiet, small, and easily cleaned but I have not used any other external pumps to compare it to __________________ current tank 94 corner, SPS/LPS basement sump

02/21/2006, 07:00 PM	#24
Theace50 Moved On Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Staten Island,NY Posts: 101	i changed over from my mag 18 and asm g6 close to 600w to a RD 6.5 and a BK 250 INT which are 100w and there the best skimmer and pump made. 500w diffrenc is HUGE in NY we are the 2nd highest payin for electric in america. And there DEADSILENT!! I am VERY happy with them

02/21/2006, 09:05 PM	#25
lpm141 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 30	Eheim 1262