Can't decide on return pump.

Sporkwonder · Jul 12, 2019

I have a Waterbox 70.3 marine that I am currently cycling. The display is 50 gallons and the sump is a little over 20 gallons. Currently I have a Sicce 3.0 installed and thought that it would do the job but after doing some calculations I have determined that it is inadequate for the tank. So I am switching to a DC pump and can't decide on which one will do the job the best. I am going to run a mixed tank with mostly softies for my corals.

The choice's are the Varios 4, the Sicce SDC 6, or the Vectra S2. I am leaning towards the S2 and the SDC 6 because of the wide flow control rather than having 5 selections of the Varios plus the warranty of the Sicce makes it appealing. I know that EchoTech has made some changes to their pump and I will not be using an Apex any time soon so the controller integration does not mean much to me at the moment.

This is my first reef tank so this equipment is new to me, I have run a lot of planted fresh water in the past so I know my canisters well, but this is a new world for me.

Loggerhead · Jul 12, 2019

What size and style is your drain line?

corresnake · Jul 12, 2019

I just upgrade my return pump with Varios and I really seen and hear the difference
The switch for low level is a plus.. and its apex ready i really like Varios

Sporkwonder · Jul 12, 2019

Loggerhead said:
What size and style is your drain line?

The return is a 1 inch Herbie.

Loggerhead · Jul 12, 2019

i have had two sicce pumps over the years. One had a broken impeller fins (which happens) and the other has been flawless. Both are ac pumps, a 1.5 and a 3.0 and I haven’t used them as returns but to power reactors. Quiet and reliable. They have been in service for 3-5 years. I have never tried their dc pumps so I can’t speak of their reliability.

I’m currently looking for a new return pump for a new build and I am leaning towards the varios line over the vectra. They’re cheaper and durable from my research. I may still go for the vectra as I do have an apex and a reeflink and could control both remotely. I don’t believe there is a way to control the sdc with the apex so I didn’t look too closely at them, but sicce has a great reputation.