Quiet pumps

[robs5134]

I'm in the market for a major pump upgrade. I currently have 2 pumps about 800gph, one on the skimmer and one for the return that need to be larger. I'm looking for a pump in the 12-1500gph for the return and a pump around 1800gph for the protein skimmer. I currently have a heat problem as the existing pumps and lights generate too much and am considering external pumps, but also have a noise problem because the tank is in my living room. If the new pumps create more heat the inhabitants will be dead and if the pumps create more noise, I will be dead.

Can anyone recommend VERY Quiet and cool operating pumps to meet the above needs?

 

[Rekonn]

Is this for the 65g tank in your signiature? Why would you want 1200-1500gph going through you sump? A much quieter and cooler way to go would be a less powerful return pump like an Eheim 1250 (320gph) coupled with some stream powerheads like the new Hydor Koralias.

What kind of protein skimmer do you have?

 

[robs5134]

I've increased the size of the sump and would like to increase the flow to about 1200gph. The additional flow certainly won't hurt.

The protein skimmer is a My Reef Creations MR-2.

 

[Rekonn]

Just because your sump is bigger doesn't mean it needs more flow. Additional flow in your sump for no reason will hurt in terms of added noise, heat, microbubbles, and electricity cost. So, if you don't need the extra flow in your sump, you're better off without it.

Do you hate the look of powerheads in your main display tank, and therefore are trying to supply all your main tank's flow from your return pump? Or do you have another reason for needing increased flow through your sump?

If so, then ok. Since you're considering external pumps, check out a
review I did comparing a Panworld vs and Iwaki pump. There's sound clips on the page so you can judge the noise for yourself.

 

[robs5134]

Thanks Rekonn, I'm not looking for more flow because my sump is bigger, just more flow in general. I have a Seio 620 in addition to the sump return.

My primary concern is the pump needed for the skimmer right now, in the near future I want to upgrade to a 150 gallon.

 

[crumbletop]

If you are worried about heat, then adding a bigger return pump will be counterproductive. Adding flow to the tank with low watt powerheads would be more efficient and add less heat. For an in-sump pump, I recommend checking out the Ocean Runner 2500 for your return pump. You'll get approx 450 gph for ~38 watts. The pump is really quiet -- very impressive, really.

 

[robs5134]

Regardless of wether I choose to upgrade or not, I'm still interested in the quietest pump with the least heat transfer. I still need to invest in a pump with about 1800gph to operate the skimmer. Looks like a T-4 is the choice.