Looking for new, reliable quiet return pump (yet another return pump thread)

Hard to calculate what mine is because of overflow noise. With everything off I get a baseline of around 20 decibels. Turning the eheim on jumps that up to around 53. But that includes overflow noise.
 
I'd also consider the SP4 over the SP2. I'm not a fan of the SP2 as it lacks the "Smart Pump" electronics of the SP4 and SP6 and head pressure sucks arse. You can always dial it back with a gate/ball valve and it will consume less wattage which is a bonus!

As for 3/4", it comes with stepped down fitting as well so no problem.
Fluval-Sea-SP4-Aquarium-Water-Pump-1822-GPH-98.jpg
 
I'm just wondering if the SP4 would even be quiter than my 1262. It's a beast of a pump, almost double the flow of the 1262. I may be better off with a Sicce 3.0 which can handle more head than the SP2, but isn't massively overpowered.


My 1262 is still a great pump, and internally there is nothing wrong with it. I cleaned it out and it looks perfect. It's always had a very distinct hum to it though. It currently sits on a silicone pad, and all plumbing is either vinyl or if it touches anything it's isolated with a silicone pad.
 
Just some info to hopefully help your decision. Take it as you will. I have the Sicce 5.0 on a 75 feeding the main return and a manifold of 2 reactors and a separate refugium. The main return is dialed back some with a gate valve and I leave the front adjustment all the way open. The pump is fairly quite but there is a soft hum. My skimmer is way louder. If I replaced my skimmer with something quieter I have a feeling I could hear the return pump. When I bought the pump I was using vinyl tubing but quickly switched to silicone which made it much quieter. It's just a 2 ft. section that the converts to 1 inch PVC to add some vibration isolation. If you choose to go with the Sicce, I would suggest definitely using silicone tubing vs hard plumbing or vinyl for that isolation.

I can't say the pump is bad, it's been rock solid for the 2 years I've had it. I think the noise level is acceptable but there may be better options. If something ever happened to it I'd maybe look at DC options to help reduce noise further but until them I'd say it's fine.
 
Why not try the silicone tubing with your current pump. This has made the biggest difference in sound level in the pumps than anything else I have tried. I even use it with the 2 pumps on my recirculating reactors.
 
I've got some on order but I don't think it will make much difference to my ears. The vinyl I have is pretty soft and the pump still hums pretty bad when it's lifted away from anything.
 
Well today I received my QD upgrades for my MP10's. It's never been more obvious to me just how loud the hum is from this 1262. The tank is barely noticeable with the return off. When it fires up the hum is really annoying.

Appears the SP2 isn't going to work and the SP4 is just way more than I need. I think the Sicce 3.0 has got to be the choice.
 
I run a SP4 as my return. It also runs two reactors and some flow for my Cheato. I run a second on my skimmer. I'm very happy with them.
 
I ended up just going with the Fluval Sp2. For $65 I couldn't pass it up. The SP4 is great but it's massive and pretty expensive. I'm only looking to turnover like 180gph through my sump so I think the SP2 will handle that fine. When I upgrade to a 120 or 150 and want closer to 360 to 450 gph I can move the SP2 to salt mixing duty to replace my rattling mag5 and not feel bad about what I spent on it.
 
scuzy and kcinnick: I'm considering the Apex ready DC12000 as a return pump for the Reefer XL 425. Are they still holding up well for you? Are you achieving the Apex controllability you were seeking? So many reliability issue posts from owners of other/older models but it looks like you have the latest model. Thanks!
 
scuzy said:
I am also using waveline dc 12000 it runs my complete system.
Click to expand...

I had a Speedwave (Waveline) DC 5000 on my 120g for over a year. I setup a frag tank so moved it there and put in a RD3 in my DT. Very glad I did. Within about 4 months the Waveline ended up failing. I think it had to do with kalkwasser crusting up the pump and seizing it. I soaked it all in vinegar and got it to move again, but then it seized shortly after.

I'd get a Red Dragon as a DC pump any day. If it needs to be a smaller submersible AC pump, then the Fluval would be my choice.
 
Gotcha scuzy...thx for pointing out the link to your build...what an awesome project. I will be following the progress. Will be great present for new baby :)
 
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