What return pumps to use? Opinions requested.

OrionN · Feb 25, 2018

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ontFlipMirrorIndents/> <w:OverrideTableStyleHps/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> I am plumbing for my 320 gal DT. I wonder what I should get as a return pump.
I am not a stranger to large tanks. Kelp 420 for 10 years and my 320 was running for almost 5 years before hurricane Harvey semi crashed it. I was able to save a lot of my valuable anemones and am trying to restart.
I have used Water Blaster pump for 5 years without problem but like to get a DC pump for decrease electricity and the ability to adjust the flow. I don't need a great deal of flow through the sump, just enough. I will use 4 MP60 for flow inside the tank so return from the sump does not need to be huge. Low return will really quite down the flow.
Right now I finished up the plumbing already but reuse my Water Blaster. I had two, but the main one have not always restart when the electricity was turn off, even with disassemble and cleaning. This is really a huge no-no for me. I need to get another return pump for either backup or main pump. Reliable and problem free operation is very important with cost second. At this point, I can easy change from in sump to external pump without problem. If I go with external, size of plumbing of the intake is not really important. Output is 1' split into two 3/4 inches. Increase or decrease the size of the output is also of minimal problem.
I have decided to change to DC pumps, either one of the Vector 1 or Jebao DCP pumps.
With these, should I use them internal or external? Would using them in-sump with cooler running temp increase their use life? In the past I really dislike using Chinese Knockoff products but it seem like the newer Jebao DCP pumps works fine. The lower price would be nice if there is no significant in function between the Vector 1 vs Jebao DCP.
So what do you guys and gals think?

Vinny Kreyling · Feb 25, 2018

Minh,
I had a Vectra L1, Ran too hot for me internally & have since found out many have problems with them. The fellow I used to work for says Jaebo is all he uses now.
I think they are better off internally but some do use the outside the sump.

mitch91175 · Feb 25, 2018

I think I saw someone selling a Reeflo Hammerhead that would fit the bill not DC but I know their customer service is awesome.

ca1ore · Feb 26, 2018

I confess to dinosaur-like tendencies, so I'm still an external AC pump guy - mostly PanWorld these days. But I also need something that will push up against 14 feed of head pressure. I think if I were plumbing a tank with the sump in the stand I'd seriously consider the new COR20 (are you an Apex guy, cannot recall). I have been running the Vectra M as a closed loop pump for 2 1/2 problem-free years, though the apparent frequency of issues with them would make me a but reluctant to use one as my main return.

OrionN · Feb 26, 2018

I was not aware that Vectra having problem. I like EcoTech so much that I just assume that their product is good. I was not in the market for main pump for so long that I am really behind the curve here. If not for my Water Blaster not working right, I would not looking into the DC pumps at all. Looking into it, I love to have the option of decrease the flow to what is needed, rather than stuck with one fix flow rate.

Heat is not a problem in my tank, rather, I have to use heater or else the temp would drop below my set temperature at 80. In the past, about 20 years ago, I used dolphin pump and locate the external pump remotely to decrease the heat input to the tank, both return pump and close loop, and still have to use chiller to decrease temperature. With LED, this no longer is a problem.

I think I will use in-sump return so I can use the heat generated instead of heater and hope that the cooler running pump will increase it life.

Jebao, in-sump this will be.
Thanks guys. Now I just hope that Jebao DCP pumps will not give me too much problem. At about 150 each, so total of 300, I won't be out too much if they turn out to be not what I needed.

OrionN · Feb 26, 2018

ca1ore said:
...... I think if I were plumbing a tank with the sump in the stand I'd seriously consider the new COR20 (are you an Apex guy, cannot recall). I have been running the Vectra M as a closed loop pump for 2 1/2 problem-free years, though the apparent frequency of issues with them would make me a but reluctant to use one as my main return.

I am an EcoTech guy. Everything from EcoTech except return pump and heater. Control though Reeflink. I even have two Reeflinks, one at home and one at the office. I have to heave two separate account with EcoTech.

OrionN · Feb 26, 2018

I read a little more about Jebao pumps. Maybe I am too quick on the decision. I think I am going to really clean my Water blaster and wait for another year or two. I wait until EcoTech solve their problem or really good evidence that Jebao DCP pumps are trouble free.

Bent · Feb 26, 2018

Not to thread jack, but can someone explain why one would want to repeatedly adjust the return pump? I don’t understand how that’s useful.

OrionN · Feb 26, 2018

^^^^
Me neither. I just want to be able to set the speed of the return pump to where I want it. Not having soo much flow at cause a lot of noise. I know I can mess around and set up a bean animal over flow that is quite, but I just don't want to do that.
I just use a fail safe Durso overflow. That works well for me.
Off topic, anybody know of what happened to Richard Durso? He got out of the hobby a few years back. Hope he is alright and not having much problem. The problem with being in the hobby so long is that we loose track of all these great reefers. James Wiseman, Eric Bornerman, Richard Durso, John Rice...,....,....

ca1ore · Feb 26, 2018

OrionN said:
I am an EcoTech guy. Everything from EcoTech except return pump and heater. Control though Reeflink. I even have two Reeflinks, one at home and one at the office. I have to heave two separate account with EcoTech.

Yes, I am a fan of their stuff as well. Just seems like there have been an unusual number of issues reported with the Vectra, particularly the L1. Anecdotal certainly, perhaps not representative of the pump as a whole, but enough to give me pause. Though, to be fair, I don't trust any of the DC pumps for a return.

OrionN · Feb 26, 2018

I am not one to skim on equipment. We certainly have animals that worth many time the equipment that we use, not including the attachment we have for them. I would love to be able to adjust the flow of my WaterBlaster to a lower level.

sethd12 · Feb 26, 2018

I setup my 500 gallon about a month ago and went with dual Vectra pumps. I liked having duplicate pumps in case one failed. With them being DC I have them both only turned on about half way which should save on electricity in the long run and helps reduce noise. Very happy with the ability to wirelessly control along with my Vortechs.

Dmorty217 · Feb 26, 2018

OrionN said:
I was not aware that Vectra having problem. I like EcoTech so much that I just assume that their product is good. I was not in the market for main pump for so long that I am really behind the curve here. If not for my Water Blaster not working right, I would not looking into the DC pumps at all. Looking into it, I love to have the option of decrease the flow to what is needed, rather than stuck with one fix flow rate.

Heat is not a problem in my tank, rather, I have to use heater or else the temp would drop below my set temperature at 80. In the past, about 20 years ago, I used dolphin pump and locate the external pump remotely to decrease the heat input to the tank, both return pump and close loop, and still have to use chiller to decrease temperature. With LED, this no longer is a problem.

I think I will use in-sump return so I can use the heat generated instead of heater and hope that the cooler running pump will increase it life.

Jebao, in-sump this will be.
Thanks guys. Now I just hope that Jebao DCP pumps will not give me too much problem. At about 150 each, so total of 300, I won't be out too much if they turn out to be not what I needed.

My Vectra has been replaced 4 times now by Ecotech because it always seems to fail around 9 months for some reason. The pump is always the problem, not the power supply. Mine is setup on a Closed loop. I don't think you will want to wait for Ecotech to ship you a new pump when it goes bad if its the return pump. I live one state away and it takes 2 days to get to me each time. The customer service is great but it is a hassle to deal with once a year. Royal Exclusiv makes great products and I love the RD3 230w I'm using for my return, I will admit that I could of went with a smaller model

scubadan206 · Feb 26, 2018

I have a Royal Exclusive 150 watt. I bought it at MACNA 2017. Before that I was using a Speedwave 12000. The Royal Exclusive pumps more water up from my basement at 110 watts than the other one at full 160 watts. I also went through 3 of the Speedwave models in three years.
At MACNA I was considering an Abyzz 200. Unfortunately I have heard a few stories about Abyzz pumps running very hot. Bill Wann lives close to me and told me that all of the ones he bought get hot enough to fry things on the control box, literally.
The Abyzz pumps have this thing called "boost mode". basically means you can only run them 80% full time or they melt. This also seems to be a problem related to the 110 volts we have available here in North America. Another guy from London "" told me his Abyzz 400 pumps are modified to run 500 watts and have no problems at all. UK models are 220 volt....
For large DC pumps these seem to be the only two options that are not either plagued by problems, or designed as throw-away models.
Like you, I have heard that people are getting a lot of use out of the Jabao models. I just don't have high hopes for the longevity of these knock-off designs. There were certainly a multitude of new DC pumps showcased at MACNA. Maybe one of these companies will finally use quality components.
Looking at the power use and head pressure of the Reeflow models was interesting. For many people, unless you need lots of head pressure and volume at reasonable power consumption, some of these models would make more sense.

Mortie31 · Feb 26, 2018

I would check out Royal Exclusive before you buy anything

marinelife · Feb 27, 2018

I have a Royal Exclusive Red Dragon 3 230w and an Abyzz A200 on closed loops. You can not go wrong with either of these pumps. Someday soon I will have another one for my return. just not sure which one I like better yet!

rjjr1963 · Feb 27, 2018

OrionN said:
I read a little more about Jebao pumps. Maybe I am too quick on the decision. I think I am going to really clean my Water blaster and wait for another year or two. I wait until EcoTech solve their problem or really good evidence that Jebao DCP pumps are trouble free.

I have two of the Jebao DCP pumps running over a year with no problems. I like EcoTech products but I can buy 3 DCP pumps for the same price or less. The Jebao pumps are completely silent.

moondoggy4 · Feb 28, 2018

What happened to your Vertex V6 pumps? or does my memory fail me.

OrionN · Feb 28, 2018

I only have experience with Dolphin pumps for 10 years, almost continuous used in a close loop and sump pump. I plumped the with oversize PVC remotely to keep them heating up my aquarium.
Then I used Pan World external pump for about 7 year in smaller tank, and Water blaster 7000 pump for 5 4 straight years.

Now I am looking for an adjustable DC pump, but likely wait a bit more until the bugs got work our and the price of the DC pumps get a bit cheaper.

Bent · Feb 28, 2018

What kind of flow rate you looking for?

What return pumps to use? Opinions requested.

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