Help me select a return pump please, does the old rules still apply?

[shingo43]

My Eheim 1262 is getting noisy even after cleaning, so before it completely fail I am selecting a new one.

I currently have a 72 gal + 20 gal sump, total water volume is about 70 gal, the old rule say you need a return 10 times than your total water volume so it's around 700gph, I do have two mp40 for circulation so I don't count on return pump help with that.

With that been said please help me choose a return pump, I am eager to try a DC pump but never used one before, eventually I'll upgrade to a 120+40, will jebao dc12000 too strong for my current tank even I turn it down?

any other options, I need a quiet pump with good build quality so it can last at least 5 years, thanks

 

[dkeller_nc]

Generally speaking, "good build quality" and "Jebao" aren't often thought of in the same sentence.

With respect to turnover, 3X - 5X is a good rule of thumb for a tank that has good to excellent in-tank circulation (yours does).

If you really want DC, then "good build quality" and good customer service is going to mean Ecotech, Abyzz or Royal Exclusiv. The last two options are incredible pumps, but very, very pricey.

The less expensive route but still silent and nearly bulletproof is another eheim general hobby pump, or a Sicce Synchra Silent in the submersible pump category, or Iwaki, Pan-World or ReefFlo in the external pump category.

In my opinion, a Sicce Synchra Silent 3.0 would be a good fit for your tank - about $110 from several on-line retailers.

 

[steallife904]

I use a reef octopus DC5500 for my return.

 

[Drmojo]

I have an Echotech Vectra M1 and love it so far.

 

[shingo43]

Generally speaking, "good build quality" and "Jebao" aren't often thought of in the same sentence.

With respect to turnover, 3X - 5X is a good rule of thumb for a tank that has good to excellent in-tank circulation (yours does).

If you really want DC, then "good build quality" and good customer service is going to mean Ecotech, Abyzz or Royal Exclusiv. The last two options are incredible pumps, but very, very pricey.

The less expensive route but still silent and nearly bulletproof is another eheim general hobby pump, or a Sicce Synchra Silent in the submersible pump category, or Iwaki, Pan-World or ReefFlo in the external pump category.

In my opinion, a Sicce Synchra Silent 3.0 would be a good fit for your tank - about $110 from several on-line retailers.

thanks for the info, I'll look into Sicce Synchra Silent 3.0, I am surprised 3x to 5x turnover rate though, I know another purpose of the return pump to surface skimmer so I don't know if 3x will be enough

 

[dkeller_nc]

Well, a Sicce 3.0 is a 714 gph pump at zero head. Presuming that you'll have about 5' of head, you should get about 400 - 500 gph out of it.

 

[dendrite]

I use a panworld 50px-x, which is a less pricey copy of the iwaki. It's bullet proof. Probably set you back new around 160, gently used around 100.It's AC

 

[HefeWeizen]

Used a mag18 for 10+ years. Now it's in my pond. Real beast. Now I use a mag9.

 

[mpsteve]

I love my ecotech vectra m1

 

[slief]

Just get a new impeller for the eheim and it should quiet back down. I've had Eheim 1262's run well over 10 years without issues. In fact, I have never had one die. A rare impeller change is all they need to last almost indefinitely. You will NEVER get that kind of longevity and reliability out of a cheap DC pump. Another great pump would be the Fluval SP series. Those are based on the Italian made Askoll blocks and are really reliable when properly maintained and pretty much silent.

 

[jamie1981]

I would stick the Eheim 1262 about the most reliable pump around. just try a new impeller it's the only moving part on the pump. Jeabo would deff be a step down from what you have.

 

[christopherjudd]

correct me if I am wrong but as far as dc pumps, aren't most of them rebranded Chinese pumps? like lets say ecotech pump, did they actually designed and built them?

 

[shingo43]

Thanks everyone, I just bought a used Jebao dc12000(seller claimed used for one year only) for a good price, the build quality seems pretty good to me, does anyone have any idea about the life span of the pump?

 

[moatdaddy]

I have a jabeo 6000 on lowest setting it pumps too much. It's insane amounts. Two 1 inch returns barely handle lowest. A 12000 will drain a 20 g in moments. You will have to ball valve and then add strain on the pump imo.

 

[moatdaddy]

warning!! Opinion not hard fact. Jabeo rips off technology. Every product I have bought has been a well made knock off. Which is only possible because American companies produce in China for cheap labor. So manufacturer Chin makes American designed pump then sells designs to another Chinese producer jebao.

If we get a trades focused president where imports are taxed heavily or tariffed you may see things made in America again. At least I hope.

 

[USCG CWO]

In my opinion, a Sicce Synchra Silent 3.0 would be a good fit for your tank

I second the Sicce. I have a 5 and it is dead silent.

Shane