Bang for your buck Return Pump

T

TrevorHenry

Member
In the process of setting up a 150 gallon with a 40 gallon sump.
Need some suggestions on a good external Pump for the set up. Water will only be traveling maybe in total 3 and half feet up wards into the tank. I'm a poor EMT so try and find the best bang for your buck.

(I have no idea what really makes a good pump a GOOD pump which is why I'm asking you guys! And gals.)
 
As with most things, the answer is: it depends. There are a lot of options, and a lot of elements of 'cost'; including initial purchase cost, operating costs, and replacement costs. The most important criterion for a main return pump is reliability, IMO, followed by noise and then cost. You also have to decide if you want an internal pump or an external one. My own personal preferences lean to PanWorld for externals and Sicce for internals - though there are many good options. DC pumps are/have been all the rage for the last few years. They are relatively cheap to buy and run, but very little is yet known about longevity. As comparison, I ran an Iwaki external pump for almost 20 years.
 
ca1ore said:
As with most things, the answer is: it depends. There are a lot of options, and a lot of elements of 'cost'; including initial purchase cost, operating costs, and replacement costs. The most important criterion for a main return pump is reliability, IMO, followed by noise and then cost. You also have to decide if you want an internal pump or an external one. My own personal preferences lean to PanWorld for externals and Sicce for internals - though there are many good options. DC pumps are/have been all the rage for the last few years. They are relatively cheap to buy and run, but very little is yet known about longevity. As comparison, I ran an Iwaki external pump for almost 20 years.
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+1

I run a pan world and a sicce and both are great reliable pumps. Pans are inexpensive and seem to run forever and are silent, at least mine is. I use my pan for my mixing station, I like to keep my salt mixed and I run it 15 mins on 30 off all day everyday and the thing just keeps going. Have not even cleaned it in over a year, kinda forgot it was there lol, thx a lot Simon for reminding me, now I have more work to do lol. My internal sicce 5.0 is also silent and just a beast, love it.
 
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The pump will be a external pump, I'm surprised I forgot to mention that in my first post. The noise will not be a big issue seeing the tank will be a living room and be under a stand so hopefully the noise doesn't leave the stand.
 
Another vote for Pan World, I love my 50PXX. 90 watts, 1100 gph and 8+ years going = $84 a year in electricity cost.
 
The Eheim Utility pumps last forever so as far as long term replacement they are a great value. I am currently using a Jebao DC return pump though and as far as "bang for your buck" it can't be beat. I'm not sure on its long term reliability though so can't comment there. People have been running them for a couple years though (not necessarily long term).
 
You might want to read the reviews, 21% had complaints. It sounds like the pump is to run external except for a couple reviews where the pump leaked so they ran it internally, problem fixed. Also one person reported at a 4' pumping height, the GPH dropped to 50%.
 
I do not believe the Jebao pumps are recommended to be run externally by the manufacturer. It's a DC pump - caveat emptor.
 
To the OP, not sure how much flow you are looking for, but maybe look at the Sicce 5.0, which is rated at 1,321 gph. Can be used externally (I do) and is extremely quiet.
 
Pan World will last forever and be a great pump. Sicce's are also very good.

MD has the pan world for less than BRS.

Mag pumps are dinosaurs in the world of pump design. Hot running, inefficient and not as dependable.

My 2 cents worth after 40 years of buying aquarium pumps :eek2:
 
dbl said:
To the OP, not sure how much flow you are looking for, but maybe look at the Sicce 5.0, which is rated at 1,321 gph. Can be used externally (I do) and is extremely quiet.
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+1
Is what I use, but internal, great pump. Quiet, powerful, and dependable.
 
Im not a fan of Sicce. I have owned a total of 8 of there pumps and they were all rather loud in my opinion (loudest thing on my tank by a good margin). Eheim or Fluval would be my suggestion.
 
If you go with a DC pump keep in mind that they are not always as reliable. I currently own three of them. The pump itself is very reliable, and will prob last a very long time as long as you do a cleaning 1-2 times a year. The controllers on these things are horrible. I have gone through at least one controller for every unit I have owned. The Waveline DC 10000 II has been the biggest issue. I just got my new controller last week and it is a whole new design without a fan. My hope is this newest version last longer. This will be my 3rd controller for the 10k

Why do I keep buying these pumps? Well I love the features and power consumption. Having the ability to control the speed is so nice.
 
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