Most quietest, energy efficient pump ?
- Thread starter billdub
- Start date
Submerged pump: Eheim 1262. Rated at 900 gph, I use mine on an EV 180 skimmer (slightly adjusted). The absolute best, dead quiet, best quality around. Low energy use, low heat, beautiful engineering. Expensive ($130), but really worth it. I've tried a bunch, including Sedras, Mag Drives, etc., all highly rated. All made too much noise, esp. vibration. Eheim is SOUNDLESS, vibrationless. There really is no comparison. None.
External: Iwaki, either Japanese or US. #20 or #30, exact model depends on application. Again, the best: quieter, less high pitced hum than the "exact duplicate by Iwaki former engineer. Iwaki 20 virtually soundless, 30 very, very quiet.
External: Iwaki, either Japanese or US. #20 or #30, exact model depends on application. Again, the best: quieter, less high pitced hum than the "exact duplicate by Iwaki former engineer. Iwaki 20 virtually soundless, 30 very, very quiet.
DJ88©
Premium Member
Qietest pump I have ever, and still do, use is the Velocity series.
Or poseidon series. Only way you will know they are running is by touching it.
In comparison to some otehr pumps they aren't too shabby on energy useage either.
I have yet to see a pump that compares. MAK4's sound like a jet taking off in comparison in your living room by comparison.
I'd look at a P-3. OR Even a P-4
Or poseidon series. Only way you will know they are running is by touching it.
In comparison to some otehr pumps they aren't too shabby on energy useage either.
I have yet to see a pump that compares. MAK4's sound like a jet taking off in comparison in your living room by comparison.
I'd look at a P-3. OR Even a P-4
Craig Lambert
Premium Member
I'll second the Velocity/Poseiden pumps. I'm running a T-2 on my 75, and you have to touch it to know if its running. It uses 95 watts, and the actual return is 600gph. It's quiet because it's water cooled, which means that it also adds some heat to the tank.
Iwakis are a much better choice than Velocity. Velocity may be very slightly quieter, but both are so quiet that you can't hear either from only a few feet away. Mine is in an enclosed stand, and I can't hear it at all.
Do not minimize the negative importance of heat transfer!!
Having water cool the pump is like having a heater without a thermostat that's on constantly. Heat is a real problem for all aquarists, especially reef, but also fish only, especially during warm weather. The whole idea is to limit heat transfer from equipment, because you can't control it without spending a fortune on chillers, etc. Iwaki pumps are designed to limit heat transfer, are extremely quiet, and better made in general. I've had a WMD 30 running almost constatntly for 10 years. This is typical with Iwakis, which are still the gold standard. I've had Eheim cannister pumps run for almost twenty years. Eventually the plastic and rubber parts failed. The motors still run. Some date back to the 60s.
I'm very sensitive to noise, and my 200 gal aquarium is in my living room. The only audible sounds are from the water overflow and that's been engineered down to a very low level.
I have no vested interest in any of this stuff. In general, Eheim and Iwaki make top of the line pumps that last nearly forever, and are nearly noisless.
Do not minimize the negative importance of heat transfer!!
Having water cool the pump is like having a heater without a thermostat that's on constantly. Heat is a real problem for all aquarists, especially reef, but also fish only, especially during warm weather. The whole idea is to limit heat transfer from equipment, because you can't control it without spending a fortune on chillers, etc. Iwaki pumps are designed to limit heat transfer, are extremely quiet, and better made in general. I've had a WMD 30 running almost constatntly for 10 years. This is typical with Iwakis, which are still the gold standard. I've had Eheim cannister pumps run for almost twenty years. Eventually the plastic and rubber parts failed. The motors still run. Some date back to the 60s.
I'm very sensitive to noise, and my 200 gal aquarium is in my living room. The only audible sounds are from the water overflow and that's been engineered down to a very low level.
I have no vested interest in any of this stuff. In general, Eheim and Iwaki make top of the line pumps that last nearly forever, and are nearly noisless.
Craig Lambert
Premium Member
"Iwakis are a much better choice than Velocity."
Have you used both?
Have you used both?
Craig, people I know have used Velocity pumps, and I've seen them up close. Everyone who uses them has told me that they add heat. A couple of these aquarists have so much MH lighting that the added heat from the pump is not a big issue, because they use big power- hungry chillers anyway. It seems to me that having an external pump cooled by tank water is nearly the same as using a submerged pump.
One individual I know stopped using a T3 because it added several degrees to the temp when he made no other change except for substituting pumps. I personally have not used a Velocity pump. I've used Iwakis for many, many years, with never a problem of any kind.
SJM817, I use the 1262 because it has the extra pressure that allows my protein skimmer to work really well. I'm extremely happy with the combo of the EV 180 skimmer and the 1262. I agree the 1260 is probably all that's needed in your sump return application.
One
One individual I know stopped using a T3 because it added several degrees to the temp when he made no other change except for substituting pumps. I personally have not used a Velocity pump. I've used Iwakis for many, many years, with never a problem of any kind.
SJM817, I use the 1262 because it has the extra pressure that allows my protein skimmer to work really well. I'm extremely happy with the combo of the EV 180 skimmer and the 1262. I agree the 1260 is probably all that's needed in your sump return application.
One
TrojanScott
Active member
agilis,
Seeing the Velocity's run, do you think the Eheim is just as quiet?
Close?
I'm going to change to MH's soon, and am worried about the heat issues. I use a Poseidon (same deal) T4, and it's unbelievably silent. I know it transfers heat, but I haven't found it to be more than a degree. Only other external I've used is a Little Giant, which in comparison to the Velocity style pumps, sounds like a jet engine.
I may be looking for another pump shortly, even if it only saves me a degree. If anything, I'll have a good backup.
Seeing the Velocity's run, do you think the Eheim is just as quiet?
Close?
I'm going to change to MH's soon, and am worried about the heat issues. I use a Poseidon (same deal) T4, and it's unbelievably silent. I know it transfers heat, but I haven't found it to be more than a degree. Only other external I've used is a Little Giant, which in comparison to the Velocity style pumps, sounds like a jet engine.
I may be looking for another pump shortly, even if it only saves me a degree. If anything, I'll have a good backup.
TrojanScott
TrojanScott
One degree is not a big deal, I think, if that's all it is with your set-up. One friend told me he had more than two degrees with a T3. I have no direct experience, nor have I measured noise levels of the full range of each pump brand. I can tell you that Iwaki 40s and up are more audible than the smaller ones, but are still not bad. The 40 and 55 sizes are usually quieter than water noise, especially if they are enclosed in a cabinet. The noise they make is a low level electric motor whine, not excessive in my opinion, and vanishingly low when you close the door of their undertank enclosure. Iwaki 30s and under are virtually silent.
It's all relative, I suppose, and I can only tell you what my experience has been. I try to keep equipment heat to a minimum, use T5s with Ice Cap fans, and rely on room air conditioning and a sump fan to keep the tank under 80F in summer. I try to be aware of heat transfer with all of the equipment I attach to my aquariums. The multiplied effect of several hot devices, ie: powerheads, lights, circulation pumps, skimmer pumps, etc. can jump up temps surprisingly high. I try to limit the extent so I'm not forced to use a cooler.
TrojanScott
One degree is not a big deal, I think, if that's all it is with your set-up. One friend told me he had more than two degrees with a T3. I have no direct experience, nor have I measured noise levels of the full range of each pump brand. I can tell you that Iwaki 40s and up are more audible than the smaller ones, but are still not bad. The 40 and 55 sizes are usually quieter than water noise, especially if they are enclosed in a cabinet. The noise they make is a low level electric motor whine, not excessive in my opinion, and vanishingly low when you close the door of their undertank enclosure. Iwaki 30s and under are virtually silent.
It's all relative, I suppose, and I can only tell you what my experience has been. I try to keep equipment heat to a minimum, use T5s with Ice Cap fans, and rely on room air conditioning and a sump fan to keep the tank under 80F in summer. I try to be aware of heat transfer with all of the equipment I attach to my aquariums. The multiplied effect of several hot devices, ie: powerheads, lights, circulation pumps, skimmer pumps, etc. can jump up temps surprisingly high. I try to limit the extent so I'm not forced to use a cooler.
Craig Lambert
Premium Member
The T-3 uses twice the wattage of the T-2 (and provides only marginally better flow), so it would add more heat. My T-2's measured return is 600gph, wich in my opinion is lots of flow for 95 watts. It's also much more energy efficient than an Iwaki. The only threads I've read here about heat problems were posted by people with glass tops, and they're going to have problems with many pumps.
milhouse74
New member
Dolphin pumps?????
moonpod
Premium Member
You want energy effecient and silence--then Red Dragon is the answer to "best". HOWEVER, the cost is real--probalby 4-5x the cost of any of the other pumps mentioned here.
The Poisident/Velocity pumps are dead silent as well. Very impressive in that respect. Not particularly effecient on the energy consumption. They do however add heat (yes I've owned and used 'em) and if you are going for a truly energy effecient setup you are trying to avoid a chiller and excessive fans (generates noise) and every bit of heat input counts. Remember that while your tank can do ok living in the 80s, every reef I've ever swam in lives at lower temps (mid/high 70s) (granted there ARE regional variations and I've only been in the mid pacific not the indopac). final point on the velocities--if you use 'em and you have a high ca/alk consumption system, you will have to clean these very, very regularly. CA REALLY likes to deposit on these hot impellors.
the small iwakis/bluline hds/panworlds are very, very quiet with little to no heat transfer. Once you get to the "40" size pump level they begin to get noisy. Not particularly "effecient" but ok.
The mak4 is relatively noisy.
Eheims are great for noise and heat transfer--I use one externally on my office tank, no problems.
The Poisident/Velocity pumps are dead silent as well. Very impressive in that respect. Not particularly effecient on the energy consumption. They do however add heat (yes I've owned and used 'em) and if you are going for a truly energy effecient setup you are trying to avoid a chiller and excessive fans (generates noise) and every bit of heat input counts. Remember that while your tank can do ok living in the 80s, every reef I've ever swam in lives at lower temps (mid/high 70s) (granted there ARE regional variations and I've only been in the mid pacific not the indopac). final point on the velocities--if you use 'em and you have a high ca/alk consumption system, you will have to clean these very, very regularly. CA REALLY likes to deposit on these hot impellors.
the small iwakis/bluline hds/panworlds are very, very quiet with little to no heat transfer. Once you get to the "40" size pump level they begin to get noisy. Not particularly "effecient" but ok.
The mak4 is relatively noisy.
Eheims are great for noise and heat transfer--I use one externally on my office tank, no problems.
milhouse74
New member
moonpod
Premium Member
the smaller dolphins are no different than the rest of the assortment of sen/sedra whatever rebadged chinese pumps. Not surprising because...they are!
the larger units are overkill for this application and anyways are notorious for drawing much more electricity than advertised and leaking.
the larger units are overkill for this application and anyways are notorious for drawing much more electricity than advertised and leaking.
RichConley
New member
Take a look at the Blueline NS 800. I dont know anything about how quiet they are, but thats definitely the most energy efficient external I've ever seen.
I dont count the red-dragons because the NS is pressure rated, they are not.
I dont count the red-dragons because the NS is pressure rated, they are not.
