AC vs. DC ????Pumps and Power heads

[Ryeguy1284]

Let’s see if we can get this thread pumping I’d love to see what you guys can turn over.

So I’m doing a new build and getting back into reefing again. I dropped out of the scene for a few years back when DC was not a thing. I’ve been researching and I’m still up in the air and starting this thread to maybe get your thoughts and ideas. Keeping in mind I’d like to manifold my return to incorporate reactors and any future add-one.

What I have collected so far:
75g 48x18x21 (not 100% on the high)
20g eshopps sump/fuge
Bubble magnus curve 5 skimmer
Phosban and carbon reactors
Tank stand I built myself

 

[o00brandon00o]

Let’s see if we can get this thread pumping I’d love to see what you guys can turn over.

So I’m doing a new build and getting back into reefing again. I dropped out of the scene for a few years back when DC was not a thing. I’ve been researching and I’m still up in the air and starting this thread to maybe get your thoughts and ideas. Keeping in mind I’d like to manifold my return to incorporate reactors and any future add-one.

What I have collected so far:
75g 48x18x21 (not 100% on the high)
20g eshopps sump/fuge
Bubble magnus curve 5 skimmer
Phosban and carbon reactors
Tank stand I built myself

@Ryeguy1284 I cannot comment on AC/DC but great job on the stand! Do you have a build thread?

 

[Ryeguy1284]

@o00brandon00o no I don’t have one but I just looked at my pictures and I’ll be happy to make one when I get home from work tonight.

 

[chipmunkofdoom2]

I personally choose Jeabao return pumps. I don't really care that they're DC and controllable, I just like the flow and the price. The controllability is nice though. For powerheads I also went with Jebaos. I don't need anything fancy there either, but I did want something that generates random flow, which the Jebaos do on their ELSE mode.

If you care about the technical differences between AC and DC pumps, Brew12 wrote a great article on them a few years ago. The long and the short of it is there isn't much difference. Get what works for you and what fits your tank and your budget.

 

[Reef Solution]

For me return pump need to be 100% reliable if you want not to expensive and reliable buy a Sicce and forget about it...

 

[DesertReefT4r]

My story is the same as the OP, been out for a while, 75g build, DC pumps mostly a newer thing. I went with DC SpeedWave return pump and Jeboa PP-8 powerheads. Cost and controllability was my deciding factor. I ended up with 3 less pumps running my 75g and have more water flow and more random. Reliability is still to be determined compared to my old tried and true AC Mag Drive, Maxijet and Koralia pumps but the price and function is great.