return pump options- 125 gallon

[a.browning]

For my tank upgrade next year, I am getting a 125 and am unsure of which return pump situation would be best. I'd like to shoot for around 600gph through the sump (SRO-2000 skimmer does 550gph) and the pump will also feed 2 media reactors (carbon and gfo) as well as a refugium. I'd really like one pump to accomplish this.

1. Eheim 1262- I've heard excellent things about this pump, but at 900gph (~780gph after head loss), I'm not sure if this will be enough flow.

2. 2x Eheim 1260- It would be nice to not use 2 pumps, but this would give me around 1270gph which would be enough to feed 2 reactors and a refugium. However, it's more costly to purchase 2 pumps, but, I'd have a backup in case one fails.

3. Water Blaster 5000- Also heard good things, but not sure how it compares to the eheim as far as noise. This would do 1373gph and would be preferable over using 2 seperate pumps.

4. Reeflo Snapper Hybrid- Never had an external pump, but maybe this would be good too. 2600gph, would have to throttle it back, but it would be more than enough for my applications.

What would you choose for your tank? Or a better option? I'm leaning towards the water blaster but I've seen a few threads about people having noise issues with them. Thanks!

 

[bsg]

I went through the same debate as you and ended up with the WB 5000. I just received it so i can't report on performance (yet), hopefully this weekend.

 

[a.browning]

Awesome, that would certainly be the best of the choices in my opinion, as long as it's quiet. You'll have to let me know how it works out!

 

[solitude127]

Look into the ATB 1500. Great pumps, silent, powerful, and not made in china.

 

[Da Saltwater DJ]

I have a mag 12 on my 125 , and its more then enough flow.

 

[a.browning]

Thanks for the options guys, for some reason I thought the ATB pumps were very expensive, but the Flowstar 1500 is just $289. Are they as quiet as Eheim?

 

[solitude127]

Yes. they're just a quiet. If you look at an ATB bigger than the 1500, then the price jumps significantly.

 

[Chris27]

I have an older Snapper, and I wouldn't change it out for the world. An external pump is nice because it's quiet, stays much cleaner since it's not in the tank, doesn't add heat to the water, and takes much longer for calcium to build up because the hot part of the pump isn't in the water....in case you didn't know, calcium builds up quickly in the presence of heat.

My snapper has been running for 2 years without stopping, only this week did I take it out for it's first cleaning since new. It took almost two years for it to slow down, and that's even with extensive use of limewater.

 

[DownwardDawg]

I went with the WB-5000 on my 125. It's sitting in an empty sump waiting for me to finish the plumbing and add water!

 

[a.browning]

DownwardDawg- you'll have to let me know how it works out for you!

Chris27- I'm still considering getting a snapper, since it's around the same cost as the others but with much more flow!

solitude127- I'm about sold on the ATB pump, I've heard the new pumps don't come with the union on the output. Do standard PVC unions fit on there alright? or is it a special size part?

 

[solitude127]

solitude127- I'm about sold on the ATB pump, I've heard the new pumps don't come with the union on the output. Do standard PVC unions fit on there alright? or is it a special size part?

That I don't know. I would email Victor at ATB. He's really good about customer service.

 

[billwill]

You might check out the new Reeflo Blowhole pumps coming out. I've been running the BH1100 and pretty happy with it. Blows my EcoPlus 1267 out of the water in comparison

 

[bsg]

Just a quick update - not able to get the new pump (WB5000) plumbed this weekend so i threw it in my water mixing brute just to test. It is all but silent, even laying on its side...zero vibration. I yanked my quiet one 4000 off my 40br and it was easily twice as loud and I can barely hear it running when standing next to stand.

So far big thumbs up.