Return Pump / Suggestions & Comparisons

RobZilla04

RobZilla04

Active member
Looking to upgrade and hard plumb soon when I transition from a 55 to 90 gallon.

Looking at return pumps and flow rates I see so many options. Basically when researching pumps in particular the brands specifically associated with reefing and aquariums seem to carry an additional price.

Here is one I am considering for a few reasons (price, 3/4" outlet option, small).

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BBMV3IE/ref=twister_B00UKHTT3C?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Thoughts or suggestions?

:fish2:
 
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You also want to consider that the plumbing is going to reduce that max flow by quite a bit. Each 90 deg elbow adds 1 ft of head pressure. Figure about 3-4' of head pressure and the flow may be reduced as much as 1/2 or more.

Also consider reliability. You don't want the pump to fail often. The water in a reef tank is pretty gunky, how well will the pump handle all the buildup?

There is a reason some pumps are more popular than others irregardless of the price.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Thanks, I actually linked the model below the one I saved on my Amazon list. The wp3000 advertises 790gph.

Great info on the elbows cause I'm sure I'll have one or two.

Jebao is a name that seems reliable based on threads I've read here in the RC forum...
 
RobZilla04 said:
Looking to upgrade and hard plumb soon when I transition from a 55 to 90 gallon.

Looking at return pumps and flow rates I see so many options. Basically when researching pumps in particular the brands specifically associated with reefing and aquariums seem to carry an additional price.

Here is one I am considering for a few reasons (price, 3/4" outlet option, small).

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BBMV3IE/ref=twister_B00UKHTT3C?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Thoughts or suggestions?

:fish2:
Click to expand...

That's not gonna work by the time you figure in headloss from the plumbing it will be much less that 530gph max flow rate. If you read the reviews most people use them for fountains and not as actual return pumps. Also if you read the Not Fish Safe review. You'll see this is not recommended for pool or marine environments per the sticker on the pump. Many of these cheaper pumps aren't saltwater safe and can contain metal shafts that will rust.

I would go with the Jebao DC pumps at least. I know the DCT 4000 I got came with 3/4 to 1 1/2 fittings. I know the newest version if is a DCP but I noticed you can get a DCT on Amazon for like 61.00.
 
Just ordered a couple Jebao DCP 8000's off Ebay yesterday. The price is right, and it's too early to project longevity as they are a new model.
 
Either of those Jebao pumps, or a variety of other variable speed DC pumps by Jebao and other suppliers as well, make great return pumps. I'm not pushing the Jebao brand, there are other suppliers as well. But my experience has been with the Jebao pumps. I find being able to adjust the rate of flow a big advantage as I add new equipment like a refugium fed by the return pump, or a couple of reactors or whatever. I would never use a basic one speed pump very again.

BTW, I have been running 3 original Jebao DC12000 pumps 24/7 ever since they first came out. They all still work perfectly even though one was used as an external pump for a closed loop system run at 100% power that entire time.
 
PBAF said:
No, this one

http://www.ebay.com/itm/JECOD-JEBAO...-WController-Compare-to-DCT8000-/252462481171

It's their newest model.
Click to expand...

Thanks!

Ron Reefman said:
Either of those Jebao pumps, or a variety of other variable speed DC pumps by Jebao and other suppliers as well, make great return pumps. I'm not pushing the Jebao brand, there are other suppliers as well. But my experience has been with the Jebao pumps. I find being able to adjust the rate of flow a big advantage as I add new equipment like a refugium fed by the return pump, or a couple of reactors or whatever. I would never use a basic one speed pump very again.

BTW, I have been running 3 original Jebao DC12000 pumps 24/7 ever since they first came out. They all still work perfectly even though one was used as an external pump for a closed loop system run at 100% power that entire time.
Click to expand...

Thank you!

I was looking on Amazon only because I'm not a big eBay fan anymore (long story). Either way I think I am looking at the right flow rate. I'm gonna flip the sump around so the return is pretty much straight up into the DT. Total of about 4 - 5 feet plus an elbow or two.

I assume 500-600 gph after loss?
 
scooter31707 said:
I am currently using the Simplicity return pump and skimmer. Very quiet and powerful. Will not break the bank neither.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Gonna try to stay around the $60-$80 range if possible. I know you get what you pay for, but if I put the time in I know I can find a good value.
 
Well it would seem there are two or three active discussions on pumps at the moment (go figure).

Although everyone has their favorites, I'm simply looking for a reliable pump at a reasonable price. Currently I'm running a Rio which came with my Craigslist find aquarium setup. Go figure when I researched the pump it was originally sold as part of a skimmer setup. Rated at 2000 L/H and using a rubber hose it has been doing the job fine.

Reviews for all the pumps, even those with a hefty price tag, are mixed. Here are two more options:

https://www.amazon.com/Quiet-One-Li...atics+Quiet+One+Pro+Series+Aquarium+Pump+4000

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009YSEQO/ref=twister_B00ZX0FFCU?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

The Hydor is probably under powered once I figure in the head loss but the Lifegard appears to be within the rating I'm looking for at my projected distance.
 
RobZilla04 said:
Thanks!



Thank you!

I was looking on Amazon only because I'm not a big eBay fan anymore (long story). Either way I think I am looking at the right flow rate. I'm gonna flip the sump around so the return is pretty much straight up into the DT. Total of about 4 - 5 feet plus an elbow or two.

I assume 500-600 gph after loss?
Click to expand...

You could try this http://www.reefcentral.com/index.php/head-loss-calculator

Now they don't have a Jebao listed but I found a pretty close pump in terms of gph and it wasn't probably 100% accurate but pretty close IMHO. I have a DCT 4000 on my 75-gallon tank with my 25 gallon sump and I run it on setting 6 of 10 and it's more than enough flow, but I have very low headloss.
 
After being around awhile (20+ years of marine aquariums), and having multiple aquariums (both current and previous), I have tried a lot of different brands, so I tend to have some personal views that coincide with what others have experienced, so here goes...

I would avoid the Jebao pumps unless you are really pressed for funds - too many early failures present a real concern IMO, and the same would go for any Rio pump - every example I have used from both brands have failed within 9-18 months. Unfortunately, I have also had a mixed bag with Hydor equipment (especially heaters).

There well-used axiom "you get what you pay for" becomes more and more evident the longer you stay in the hobby, and I am amazed how many hobby aquarist ignore it in search of the next "great bargain". In all honesty, there are some real bargains out there - a couple of examples come to mind in LED lighting and skimmers - but very inexpensive pumps rarely seem to survive long-term it seems. [I know, I know - there are examples out there to disprove my hypothesis, but exceptions do not make the rule!]

I am currently running Sicce pumps (1.5's and 2.0's) for all of my returns (and in a couple of skimmers), and they have not given me a lick of trouble once, always starting up immediately, never needing to be cleaned, and silent. Maybe not the most efficient in energy use in comparison to the newer DC pumps, but the DC pumps similar in price don't hold a candle to them in reliability, and the more reliable brands are too big and expensive for my needs.

I recommend you also consider a Sicce Syncra 3.0 - max 714 gph and max 9.9 head for under $100 - just over 500 gph at 5 ft. with a dialable intake (to "throttle" down if needed), and you asked for reliable and reasonably priced... ;) [$97.30 at Aquacave]
 
Ou8me2 said:
You could try this http://www.reefcentral.com/index.php/head-loss-calculator

Now they don't have a Jebao listed but I found a pretty close pump in terms of gph and it wasn't probably 100% accurate but pretty close IMHO. I have a DCT 4000 on my 75-gallon tank with my 25 gallon sump and I run it on setting 6 of 10 and it's more than enough flow, but I have very low headloss.
Click to expand...

Thank you, good info there.

zooman72 said:
After being around awhile (20+ years of marine aquariums), and having multiple aquariums (both current and previous), I have tried a lot of different brands, so I tend to have some personal views that coincide with what others have experienced, so here goes...

I would avoid the Jebao pumps unless you are really pressed for funds - too many early failures present a real concern IMO, and the same would go for any Rio pump - every example I have used from both brands have failed within 9-18 months. Unfortunately, I have also had a mixed bag with Hydor equipment (especially heaters).

There well-used axiom "you get what you pay for" becomes more and more evident the longer you stay in the hobby, and I am amazed how many hobby aquarist ignore it in search of the next "great bargain". In all honesty, there are some real bargains out there - a couple of examples come to mind in LED lighting and skimmers - but very inexpensive pumps rarely seem to survive long-term it seems. [I know, I know - there are examples out there to disprove my hypothesis, but exceptions do not make the rule!]

I am currently running Sicce pumps (1.5's and 2.0's) for all of my returns (and in a couple of skimmers), and they have not given me a lick of trouble once, always starting up immediately, never needing to be cleaned, and silent. Maybe not the most efficient in energy use in comparison to the newer DC pumps, but the DC pumps similar in price don't hold a candle to them in reliability, and the more reliable brands are too big and expensive for my needs.

I recommend you also consider a Sicce Syncra 3.0 - max 714 gph and max 9.9 head for under $100 - just over 500 gph at 5 ft. with a dialable intake (to "throttle" down if needed), and you asked for reliable and reasonably priced... ;) [$97.30 at Aquacave]
Click to expand...

Thank you, I appreciate the well described response. $100 is reasonable if the reliability is there.

The Sicce Syncra 3.0 is at the top of my wish list at the moment.
 
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The first pump you posted is too cheap ,even by chinese standards.I also use a chinese pump on the Nuclear Winter but isnt an aquarium pump.I use a 12V hot water pump that can lift the water 6 meters height.I payd like 30 dollars on it directly from China.I dont reccomend to people to use hot water pumps into the reef aquarium thogh because somme of them have brass bearings and copper kills inverts.My hot water pump doesnt have the brass bearing so it safe but otthers look similar and have brass bearings.Ive buyed a 24V hot water pump almost identical with the 12V one and that 24V has brass bearings(lifts water like 12 meters high thogh ).
Solar_DC_12_V_24_V_Hot_Water_Circulation_Pump_Brus.jpg
 
If you really care about quality and reliability and durability then Eheim should be a pump being considered also. If you look on BRS most all the Eheim's are 100% rating. It's pretty common for Eheim's to last 10-20 years.

I however, decided to try a DC pump on my latest tank because I like the less power and being able to control the flow. So I gave Jebao a try and so far after 9 months it's running like a champ. I do clean it once a month.
 
Many on here like the higher end pumps. I do too but my budget doesn't allow it. There for I went with some Jabeo RW-20's in early 2016. Have been so happy with them when I need more flow that my 10 year old eheim 1262 could handle I went with a DCT12000 as the price is right. Been very happy with it so far. Will these pumps hold up as my eheim that still runs great after 10 years. Only time will tell, but I can buy 3 of the Jabeo for the price of the others. So it fits for me for now.
 
All good advice. I appreciate the responses.

I'm narrowing down my options to the Sicce Syncra 3.0 or a Jebao DC.

Finding that some have plastic internals and others have stainless, which is the more logical choice? Stainless would be stronger and resist breaking on power ups, but is prone to corrosion correct?
 
The Sicce has a ceramic shaft - no corrosion. I have had "stainless" shafts corrode, and there is a recent article (on another site but noted here on RC) about the corrosion issues and heavy metal contamination with certain inexpensive pumps...

Oh, and you are welcome, good luck... ;)
 
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