Quietest External Pump?

N

nathansinger

New member
I ordered a GenX PCX 150 and found it to be much too loud for me, as it's going in an office. So I need to get a comparable pump that is much quieter. The other ones I was looking at are the Japanese Iwaki IK1133 at 2000 gph, the Pan World 250 ps as 1900 gph, and the Sequence Reeflo Dart at 3600 gph (though this one might be a little too strong.

Which of these pumps would you guys recommend?
 
There is only one "silent" pump. Velocity Series. T1 - T4
They do give more heat then others though.
 
I would recommend you consider the Sequence SW-3200. The Dart is the econo model of this pump. I hear they use higher grade materials for the SW series. It's only $40 more than the dart and still cheaper than the Iwaki. It is also very quiet.
 
Dont get the dart for a return unless you dont mind not have any pressure from your return lines. I have one and there is no pressure but it is really reallly quiet. I will replacing with the Tarpon which is a pressure pump.
Greg, how do u like the tarpon?
 
I have had a t-3 pump on my 125 for 4 years now and love it . Very quiet!! surprisingly quiet , it does throw a little more heat but not to the water just the pump surface. with my stand open the trickle of water over the bio balls is all you can hear I would highly recommend this pump and dont forget it has titanium parts
 
hipertec... I am not sure what you mean by "it does not have any pressure".

Pressure rated pumps can push against a higher head... If your non pressure rated pump is doing 2000 GPH through your plumbing, there is no difference between that and a pressure rated pump doing 2000 GPH through the same plumbing....
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7432475#post7432475 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hipertec
Dont get the dart for a return unless you dont mind not have any pressure from your return lines. I have one and there is no pressure but it is really reallly quiet. I will replacing with the Tarpon which is a pressure pump.
Greg, how do u like the tarpon?
Click to expand...
The tarpon is a well made pump but it is one huge pump compared to something like a Pan World 150PS which seems to be comparible. The price difference is also -$80 while consuming 5 watts more. I'm not sure on the difference in sound though.
 
Quiet is subjective and depends on the environment the pump is operating in... i.e. living room, pet store etc......

Iwaki's in my opinion Japanese or American are NOT quiet. At least not for a living room setting. IMO The T4 velocity pumps are the quietest no matter where they are. You dont hear them running and can't even tell they are on. However, I would never buy or recommend another one just because they are quiet as they add a lot of heat (not a little) to a tank. Especially after a prolonged time and must be cleaned of calcification often becuuse the Titanium inside operates at such a high temp. Just my opinion.

I would like to know someones experience with a pump as close to as quiet as a Velocity Without the added heat AND a pump as close to Iwaki in performance without the annoying pump drone. Eheim pumps are as close to achieving this balance but do not have a high flow rate model.
 
I'm tagging along as well...


*******
Quiet is subjective and depends on the environment the pump is operating in... i.e. living room, pet store etc......

Iwaki's in my opinion Japanese or American are NOT quiet. At least not for a living room setting. IMO The T4 velocity pumps are the quietest no matter where they are. You dont hear them running and can't even tell they are on. However, I would never buy or recommend another one just because they are quiet as they add a lot of heat (not a little) to a tank. Especially after a prolonged time and must be cleaned of calcification often becuuse the Titanium inside operates at such a high temp. Just my opinion.

I would like to know someones experience with a pump as close to as quiet as a Velocity Without the added heat AND a pump as close to Iwaki in performance without the annoying pump drone. Eheim pumps are as close to achieving this balance but do not have a high flow rate model.
**************
 
I think the noise idea was the question at hand. I know many people own different pumps and seem to belong to the club of "I really like the one I own" it is comforting to think that you purchased the best one.

But

Any high pressure pump is a high velocity pump and is a lot louder than a low pressure pump.

If you talk to the tech rep. at sequence he will tell of the Reef series that are low speed pumps and are quiet and do not give off a lot of heat. Then there is the high vol. high pressure pumps that are not good under a tank, because of volume.

A dart does give off a good flow if you do not add a ton of fittings between the tank and pump, each 90 degree adds a foot of head, and ball valves, unions etc., you can really restrict the flow. Also 2" in and 1.5" out.


All this said, you will like the pressure of Iwaki etc pumps better but I will guarantee you will not like the noise as much.


One other example, I have a hammerhead on my return from my sump. A single 1.5 inch feeding, if I run it at full speed there is only one word for the entire 400 gal reef tank "Jacuzzi"
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7436807#post7436807 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 481824
The lower model looks good as well
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=TZ1731
but you're right still a little pricey. Have you seen/heard one in operation. Only thing that worries me for 300-600 bucks is no proven track record although Tunze makes quality products...[
Click to expand...
That would be a better price, but it is only a flow pump. Now if they would just make a pressure pump counterpart to that pump it would be approx 1300 - 1500 gph. That might be a good choice. Sequence makes really good pumps, but I would always steer someone to the US made SW3200 or SW3600 pumps over the cheaper foreign made Dart. I think sequence only made the Dart to lower production cost and to take the market share from Dolphin's Ampmaster.
 
I run two T4s on a 75 gallon system. These pumps draw ~140 watts. ONLY PART of this heat is transfered into the water. A 140W submersible pump puts ALL of it's heat into the water (140W worth). So yes it adds some heat to the tank, but all internal pumps do, and many external pumps do as well.

With regards to calcium buildup, I run 82 degrees and dose Randy
s 2 Part daily. I run 500+ calcium and a DKH 0f around 11. I clean the pumps every 3-6 months and find VERY LITTLE IF ANY buildup.
 
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