AC vs DC pumps? Quiet pump needed, something equal to a Mag 12

funguyatnight · Jan 23, 2014

I am setting up a new 70gal tank with sump & refugium. My goal is to have a quiet aquarium. I will be installing a Herbie drain and now looking for quiet pumps.

Does anyone have recommendations for quiet AC or DC pumps that equals a Mag 12?

nvMarco · Jan 23, 2014

I am really liking the Jebao DC-6000 and DC-12000 pumps. Slight whining sound at highest speeds, but my skimmer still wins the noise battle. So highly recommended.

reefndude · Jan 23, 2014

I am in same boat. Will be following

AJsTank · Jan 23, 2014

I use the Reef octopus DC5500 and 10500 pumps for my skimmer and returns and they are really quiet. My vortechs are louder than the DC pumps. Apparently the jebao and RO DC pumps are the same thing.

kschweer · Jan 23, 2014

+1 for dc pumps. I installed a jeabo dc6000 on my new tank and when I fired it up for the first time I don't think it was working. Between how quiet it is and the "soft start" I didn't think it was running until I started seeing water moving.

DaveMorris · Jan 23, 2014

I am using a Diablo 5500 DC pump on my new build and during my recent water test that pump was literally silent. I could not hear it at all. It puts out 1450 gph so slightly higher than a Mag 12. I am very impressed with this pump. Two year warranty as well.

reefndude · Jan 24, 2014

Would dc 6000 work on a 125 with 55g sump?

Lacktaters · Jan 24, 2014

Laguna 1350 is a very quiet pump. Actually I take that back. It's a silent pump. Especially with one of these stands.

http://socaltropicalfishoutlet.com/store/laguna-custom-stand-for-model-1500-p-1068.html

They are also very reliable. Many companies dress them up and sell them as high end skimmer or return pumps. The 1350 is the newer more energy efficient replacement for the popular Laguna 1500. I've been very happy with the one on my 90g. If it's too much flow for your 70g, you can dial it back with a ball valve and it's supposed to draw even less than 75 watts.

The Jaebo DC return seems to be the rage these days though. You might just wanna try one of those.

shred5 · Jan 24, 2014

A/Cpump Tunze are real quiet and last forever.
D/C pumps are thee most quite pumps I have ever heard and are controllable. Most brands are the same pumps and are just re-badged .
I have 3 RLLS pumps and they are almost silent. One runs my skimmer and one runs my return.. I also have a spare.
I have had one stop working though and not sure why. Only thing I could think of is the power when out and it did not start back up...Took it out plugged it in and it started working again..

funguyatnight · Jan 24, 2014

I don't understand. There is so many benefits to a DC return and skimmer pumps.

1. Quiet
2. Adjustable Flow
3. Lower cost to run

Why are not more people using them?

JMSKI333 · Jan 24, 2014

I just ordered the Diablo 10500 for my system upgrade. Seems like its going to be a great pump.

Ron Reefman · Jan 25, 2014

funguyatnight said:
I don't understand. There is so many benefits to a DC return and skimmer pumps.

1. Quiet
2. Adjustable Flow
3. Lower cost to run

Why are not more people using them?

They are fairly new, have been in short supply and have been rather expensive. Then Jebao came along with the DC6000 and DC12000. I got mine in a group by for under $100 each. You can't lose at that price. I bought the 3 I needed and a spare for the shelf in my reef room!

nvMarco · Jan 25, 2014

reefndude said:
Would dc 6000 work on a 125 with 55g sump?

All depends on the flow you're looking for. I have a DC6000 running on my 75gallon dt, but will use the DC12000 on my 125gallon (just built). I prefer to have the pumps run at 50-70% of their total GPH. Keeps them nice and quite(r).

reefndude · Jan 26, 2014

Looking to use it as a return pump and run a gfo/carbon reactor for now.

chayos00 · Jan 26, 2014

So here is something that I don't get. In the remote control car or plane world (which I have been in since 1996) DC motors are a thing of the past that have been replace by the newer brushless AC motors. The DC motors use brushes (they wear out and need replacing often) to energize the motor, whereas AC motors are brushless and require very minimal maintenance. Another thing is that the AC motors are much more efficient and have TONS more power! To me going to DC motors seems like a step backwards. Also AC motors can be controlled for speed, you just need the proper speed control which they are lacking. Right now it seems as if one company/manufacturer decided on recently to only control their motors speed with a speed controller and that happens to be the new fad of the DC motor.

Granted yes I am also looking at the DC-12000 for my current build (125g w/55g sump) due to the speed controller. So I am not hating on the DC motors just a little confused.

shred5 · Jan 27, 2014

funguyatnight said:
I don't understand. There is so many benefits to a DC return and skimmer pumps.

1. Quiet
2. Adjustable Flow
3. Lower cost to run

Why are not more people using them?

While I agree with above and I have three. Reliably may be a issue with these pumps... Like I said I had one stop working already and it was only 3 months old. I was one of the early adopters of these pumps and have had several people pm or email me with issues too...

I am actually thinking of going back to tunze, because I cannot afford to come home and see my tank low and the temps in the 60's again because main pump was not running...

Reefltx · Jan 27, 2014

I love the soft start, no more water spraying into the room during waterchanges. I have to adjust the return output everything with my tunze, if I forget I get a jet stream of saltwater into the room upon restart, which I've done quite a few times.