Help pick a return pump

Antman

Active member
Hello all I will be setting up. A 57g rimless reef ready tank .. How many GPH should I look to use from my sump ? I will also use a Vortech mp10 for flow in the tank
I want a quiet energy efficient pump Thanks for your thoughts
 
Well it depends, I'm one of many that shoot for 3-5x turnover on returns, and I like Eheim, or Tunze for returns base on my experience(both very quiet) but you also need to make sure your drain and overflow can handle what you put in there.
On home page is a drain/flow calculator
 
The Fluval SP pumps are great, I have two SP4's and they work great and are quiet and plenty of flow. The SP4 would be a great pump for you.

Having said that, you cannot go wrong with Tunze, but with Eheim they are even better, they are bulletproof and I've had some that I use for mixing / pumping water and what not that are 5+ years old and work great.
 
My 56g Rimless custom tank is powered by a DC3000 from Jebao. Super quiet, soft start and very controllable with built in controller.
 
+1 on the fluval sp pump. I have an sp2 on my 60 rimless. I debated on the sp4 for a little while before going with the 2. Glad I did as it is quite a lot of return flow. I run it in conjunction with an mp40qd for all my flow needs. Makes for a very quiet set up.
 
Antman,
Are you going to run any other things on the return line?
Reactor, Skimmer ?
These would decrease the flow back to the tank.
Personally I lean towards an Eheim pump for your set up.
Don't forget a valve on the return since getting exactly what you need is highly unlikely.
 
I was just planing on using it in the sump I could have one pump for return GFO/carbon reactor and a slimmer ? Skimmers have internal pumps and reactors need to run on a separate pump no ??
 
I went with an Aqua Excel DC pump for my 65G. I must say it's super quiet, in fact I cannot hear it at all whatsoever. However it's total overkill for my tank. I only run it on the 2nd level setting (out of a possible 5). It's enough pump for twice the tank IMHO.
 
One pump is capable of a few things along with return water if it is sized correctly.
I still vote Eheim.
DC pumps are nice, I run one but they lack head pressure and long term use is still unknown.
 
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