Need help with Return Pump

[lanxang]

My mag5 is irritating me to the point of blowing it up. I need something quieter.

I'm thinking of these 4 pumps.

Quiet One 3000 (I had one but don't remember how quiet it was)

Ocean Runner

Sen Pump (I think it's the same pump ASM and Euroreef uses)

Ehiem 1250 (Not enough flow and the 1260 is to expensive and use a whole lot more electricity then the above pump)

What do you guys think. I want something in the $40 range and minimal electricity use.

 

[Bdimas]

Quiet one should be cool. They also use less electricity compared to the Mags. I think im going to replace my mag nine with a quiet one 4000.

 

[Justin74]

Dont think youll find those pumps in that range unless there used. Im using a catalina 2200, good pump w/ out any problems so far, its around 700gph w/ 60w usage I think, for around 50 bucks. Definately not a name brand, but cheap and works.

-Justin

 

[lanxang]

I know that the OC 3000 is 42 and OR is about 50. I can be flexiable with the price. Just don't want to spend 100+.

Bryan, is it quiet though? I can't remember. I had one about 2yrs ago.

 

[Bdimas]

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=9849&N=2004+113041

 

[Bdimas]

I run a quiet one 4000 along with a mag nine and i can really tell the difference. My mag 7 is louder than my quiet one .

 

[lanxang]

That was where I was looking too. It this going on your 100gal? I might just get the 3000.

 

[Bdimas]

Yeah i have a mag 9 going to one of my seaswirls and a Quite one 4000 going to my other seaswirl.

 

[lanxang]

oh ok. Hopefully I see your tank one of these days.

 

[WarrenG]

To make my mag pumps run near silent I suspend them in the sump, not touching any hard surfaces.

For my return pump I use silicone tubing 3/4" ID for the outtake (vertical) and the pump hangs on this 10" section. The intake is normal pipe and bulkhead strainer but it's not touching anything except water.

For the skimmer pump I use a few inches of the tubing for the intake side and suspend that pump too.

mcmaster.com has the tubing for about $10/foot. I've used vinyl tubing before and it worked almost as well as the silicone.

 

[Bdimas]

Lak,
Whenever you come down to Stockton pm me so we can hook up.

 

[dots]

My take on pumps is that some may be more efficient, or quieter but only to an extent......my skimmer is loud, so a pump is just a drop in the bucket as far as noise.....when I finaly am settled into a house all of that will be in the garage or a seperate room and noise won't be an issue, but power consumption will be....but I digress.....

All pumps are the same basic design, but figure cost versus benifit of an expensive pump say a Eheim and how long you would have to keep it to get your moneys worth. On the same thought take into account the longer a piece is in service, the reliablitity starts to go WAY down with time.....like your car.

With this train of thought these are the reasons I prefer to buy an average pump, like the Catalina or Via Aqua, that is on the cheaper end and replace it every year or so to insure the reliability of the pump circuit......however most people in this hobby get hung up on names, (and all other hobbies), and buy by price believing that the expensive product is ALWAYS better, which it may be, but by how much? Or worse have a case of exteme brand loyalty only to find out that is the only one that they have owned. certai.....my point is sure an Eheim is a WONDERFUL pump, but I have not had any problems with my Vias either......

I don't dislike Eheim in any way, but am using them as an example of an expensive pump.

 

[Bdimas]

To me i think its more peice of mind buying a name brand pump. Maybe its just me but i have heard more horror stories about catalina, rio and jebo equipment. Im a beliver in the saying, "you get what you pay for."

 

[dots]

True, True......but remember most of these pumps are just a magnet, some windings and encased in a fancy housing.....the simple physics and technology that runs one, is the same in the other.......with "workhorse" pumps, moving water from one place to the other, I don't see the need to "break the bank"......

However, I have been known to throwdown for Seios compared to Vias for movement in the display......they are different there

 

[Bdimas]

Also true.

 

[dots]

Good, good now that we agree......lanxang will buy my used Via so that then I can buy an Eheim!!:rollface:

he....he.....he.....

 

[Bdimas]

LMAO!

 

[lanxang]

WarrenG thanks for the tip. I'll try it out this weekend.

LOL. I don't know what happen there but that was the funniest thing I heard today.