Best Submersible Return Pump

Itchy Trigger

Active member
Shopping around for a submersible return pump for my 90g... Was looking at a Mag 9.5, but then I thought - maybe there's something better/quieter/more efficient. I used Quiet One pumps on a large tank years ago and remember them being great. I believe the Quiet One 4000 is comparable in its output to a Mag 9.5. Can anyone offer suggestions on these or any other submersible return pumps you could recommend?
 
Vertex/Fluval pumps are good, quiet and efficient. The Waveline DC pumps are also good, but hard to find right now.
 
Will look into the Eheim and the Vertex...

Anybody have a Sicce Syncra pump? The folks at BRS were pointing me to the Sicce Syncra Silent 3.0 Pump (714 GPH).
 
I have a Sicce syncra 5.0 for my return pump and a 1.0 for my tlf phosban reactor. They are both silent and very well made. I don't have a single complaint about either one. I strongly recommend getting one you won't be disappointed
 
Cool, thanks. Wasn't familiar with the Fluval pumps at all. And good to hear that Sicce is a good option too. I have a Sicce powerhead in my big tank and it's great.
 
Fluval, Vertex, Laguna, Red Dragon etc are all based on the Askoll motor block.
Fluval and Laguna are both Hagen, the Fluval has ceramic bearings and come with rubber feet on the base. These simple additions make for a great improvement. Hence my recommenation of the Fluval sp 2


Cool, thanks. Wasn't familiar with the Fluval pumps at all. And good to hear that Sicce is a good option too. I have a Sicce powerhead in my big tank and it's great.
 
Eheim or Tunze are my go-tos. MAg Drives are pretty nice but I feel that they use a lot of power for their performance. I've been particulalry enjoying the Tunze 1073 recently. It is quiet, adjustable, high flow, and allows you to easily install a battery back up with a Tunze kit (it's pretty pricey though.)
 
Will look into the Eheim and the Vertex...

Anybody have a Sicce Syncra pump? The folks at BRS were pointing me to the Sicce Syncra Silent 3.0 Pump (714 GPH).

I use a Sicce Syncra 2.0 as the return for my 37 Gallon Display tank. I don't need to use a valve to change flow rates because it has a dial on it.

My tank is in my living room, I wrapped it an OXO silicone mat for silent operation.
 
Lots of good suggestions - thanks everyone. Looks like I've narrowed it down to Eheim, Sicce, Fluval or Tunze!:hmm4:

LOL...you really can't go wrong with any of them...

Do you want to drive a car that's a chevy, a ford, a honda or a toyota...

Or do you want to drive a Cadillac, Lincoln, Acura or Lexus?
 
Best Submersible Return Pump

The only thing I prefer about the Mag Drives over any of these others is that the Mag Drive has the threaded output. I'd like to be able to attach solid plumbing parts to the pump as opposed to just clamping on a hose. I guess this is less of an issue with submersible though.
 
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