Budget return pump

[Gobi-Wan]

My current 600 or so gph return pump is split between my 75g display and a 10g fuge. Now in planning to also add a reactor and 600gph was already questionable for just the display and fuge. What's a good plain return pump that would give me 800-1000gph on a decent budget? Preferably submersible.

 

[Pntbll687]

What type of budget are we talking? What's budget friendly to one person is a dream to someone else.

If you don't care about options on the pump, you can't go wrong with a mag drive.

 

[Dpate]

What’s a budget?

 

[Philipgonzales3]

Why not a Jabeo DCP? They are cheap and from what I read pretty reliable.

 

[Dom]

Check out this link:

https://www.chewy.com/danner-supreme-magnetic-drive-pump/dp/156806

Its rated at 700gph with a 3 foot head. Its under 50 bucks. And shipping is free.

 

[Gobi-Wan]

Sorry for the vague question. By budget I always mean "the cheapest answer with reasonable expectation of reliability and acceptable quality". I have a lifetime of my daughter's expensive medical bills ahead of me and I have a middle class education and blue collar job. I also wish to enjoy a hobby and I am a "mad scientist" type anyway. Most all of my reef setup is second-hand equipment, DIY, or of my own invention.

 

[Philipgonzales3]

I would still go with a DCP Jebao. This one is over 1000GPH and max head of 13ft.

I would actually go up a size or two as I don't know how much flow is lost to head pressure or whatever and it's controllable so you can always back it down some.

Jebao DCP Sine Wave Water Return Pump (DCP-4000) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FK61CWB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_KXdmCbRTC3P8N

 

[cooltowncorals]

You will have trouble beating jebao bang for buck tons of people use those I have had good luck with RIO brand as well they are not adjustable speed.

 

[TaylorPilot]

600 GPH at zero head, or with calculated head loss. In my experience people usually WAY over estimate the amount of water their pumps are flowing. I personally would get a decent AC pump and steer clear of DC pumps for a return. They just haven't panned out to be reliable enough. A pump should last 15 years not 15 months....

 

[csb123]

600 GPH at zero head, or with calculated head loss. In my experience people usually WAY over estimate the amount of water their pumps are flowing. I personally would get a decent AC pump and steer clear of DC pumps for a return. They just haven't panned out to be reliable enough. A pump should last 15 years not 15 months....

I’d echo this sentiment. If the return pump fails, all is lost. A return pump needs to be reliable. Look for a pump with a great track record and buy it used. Then pick up another one as back up.

 

[ksed]

The problem is
A- Jebao has greatly improved their reliability. Even though they may not last 15 years.
B- You can ALMOST purchase two Jebaos for the price of a decent AC pump. Running two pumps will give you better safety margins the a single AC.
C- DC tend to run quieter than AC . Even if you install silicone hot plate on the bottom and silicone hose to the return.

If you need only one pump and want reliability go AC
If you want reliability and quietness go with 2 smaller DC

 

[jda]

Get a different pump to run your new reactor. This is better than running everything off of one - manifolds are better in theory than in practice, IMO. A cheap QuietOne or MaxiJet can work on a reactor pretty well.

 

[mrjoev]

or run your reactor off a manifold and spend the $ for something else.

 

[NickC]

What type of budget are we talking? What's budget friendly to one person is a dream to someone else.

If you don't care about options on the pump, you can't go wrong with a mag drive.

I’ll second the mag drive. Pretty cheap and will run forever.

 

[Sleepydoc]

Magdrives have a solid reputation. Just about any AC pump will be more reliable than a DC pump. I have a Fluval SP4 that has been awesome as well.

I would echo JDA's comment. Manifolds can work but if your pluming isn't designed well it can be difficult to get adequate flow. Getting a smaller, cheaper second pump eliminates those troubles. The other advantage of this option is that you can use the second pump as a return pump in a pinch if your main return pump fails. Not ideal, but enough to keep your system alive.