Can't dicide on what Jebao return pump.

[Dburr1014]

Sorry if this is "another Jebao pump" thread but I couldn't find any relevant to my needs.

My system now has a gen-x pcs 40 return pump feeding my MRC skimmer in the basement sump and my display 12 foot head above on the next floor.

I have a ball valve throttle back a little for the display and not really sure how much GPH is going in there.
I'm caught between the Jebao DCS 9000 or the Jebao DSC 12000.
I don't want the pump over or under powered. I feel the 9000 will be enough but not sure.

Thanks for the help.

 

[ebushrow]

IMO I would use the 12000....I don't trust the numbers they put on the box and the controller will let you find a sweet spot for your needs

 

[wattson]

go bigger,,you can always throttle it on a lower setting,,you cant do that on the smaller pump,,been there done that

 

[Fishgeek88]

I would do the 12000, they are controllable so you can turn it down with no negative effects on the pump.

 

[mcarroll]

What size tank do you have? (And the rest of the system.)

My system now has a gen-x pcs 40 return pump feeding my MRC skimmer in the basement sump and my display 12 foot head above on the next floor.

Just so we know, what's wrong with this setup? Why are you looking?

So you know, your setup requires a pressure-rated pump (mostly the MRC), and none of the ones you're looking at fit the bill.

From what I can discern, your GenX might be roughly comparable to a Iwaki 40RT (inset; standard model):

That should give you something like 600 GPH, assuming that flow curve is at all accurate for your pump.....it would be awesome if you could measure the actual flow.

The DCP10000 or DCP15000 (or bigger) would be the closest in head rating to your current pump...from the Jebao line. Can't recommend DC pumps for return though....durability is still a question mark and the track record so far is poor.

If you need to switch from your current setup for some reason, I'd split the skimmer and return to separate pumps.

Return
With 12' of vertical head, your current pump is actually pretty good!

Most typical return pumps don't deal with this much head pressure.

The Sicce Syncra HF 10.0 is one of the few that will do it.

• $300+
• 145 watts
• about 1300 GPH at 12'

It's pressure rated (7 psi vs the old pump at 6 psi) and should ALSO be able to drive the skimmer at least as well as the current pump. Up to a 5 Year Warranty if you register your purchase with Sicce.

Outside of that, I think you're looking at more external pumps like the Iwaki, one of the Dolphin Ampmasters or possibly a Reeflo....or the current slate of DC pumps, which all seem to offer pretty high head ratings. (But also with the already-mentioned caveats.)

I have a ball valve throttle back a little for the display and not really sure how much GPH is going in there.

It might be interesting to know. Try measuring the outflow at the return or at the drain to make a GPH calculation.

I don't trust the numbers they put on the box

I've heard that before – definitely an additional problem for me recommending them.

 

[mcarroll]

A Mag 12 would also deliver about 500 GPH @ 12'. Not sure about drivign both the skimmer and return though.....might take the Mag 18.

http://www.dannermfg.com/Store/Products/Danner/PID-02722.aspx

 

[Dburr1014]

Thanks for the replies.
My setup is a75 gallon display with a 50 gallon rubbermaid tub for a sump.

I only looking at dc pumps for the electric savings. (for my wife)
The pump I use now is 110 watts and I think the 12000 is 85w if I remember right and that would be throttled back. Splitting to 2 pumps (1 display; 1 skimmer) would be the same as keeping my setup that I have now. That seems it would be no cost savings.
I can measure the flow to the sump easy enough. I'll do that after work today. I will post my results.
So what I have now just might be the best I could have done.

 

[mcarroll]

Do you need the big basement sump, BTW?

I don't know what you're doing with it, and I don't know how big a priority saving power would be, but a bigger play than switching from a 110 watt pump to an 85 watt pump is the way to go if the sump is just a sump and you want to save power.

If you were using high-power lights, then switching to LED's would be the no-brainer way to save some power. (Are you?) But in your case, just shutting everything down in the basement and selling it OR repurposing it as an independent system might be options to consider. Potentially it means heating a smaller volume of water, so in addition to the power saving gear, you're reducing the heating requirements.

The basement sump can, at least in some ways, be replaced on the 75 gallon by something like a Tunze Reefpack 500 (about 30 watts):

...or maybe even just the in-tank Comline® Skimmer 9012 skimmer (only 13 watts).

...or even a classic hang-on like a Remora. The Remora is perfect for a 75, and there are a few upgraded models avalable....$165 for a basic Remora with a drain fitting in the cup to support wet skimming and higher performance. Hard to beat!

 

[Dburr1014]

Yes well, I have my MRC gen 1 skimmer in the sump, a 12 gallon ATO, some rock and a 2nd heater in there plus the algae scrubber.
I always heard and believe the bigger the system, the more stable.
I got a mixed tank with LED lighting and jebao PP8s. I'm doing all I can to save energy but Connecticut keeps raising the rates.
So I really don't want to part with the Rubbermaid tub cuz I wouldn't know what to do with all the extra stuff in it.

Any who, 6 gallon bucket fills in 1 minute. That's 360 gallons an hour I have right now to the display.

So you know, your setup requires a pressure-rated pump (mostly the MRC), and none of the ones you're looking at fit the bill.

So the new pumps (12000 Jebao) are rated to pump up to 6 meters. That's 19 feet. My pump now is rated at 22 feet. Not seeing why it would fit the bill. I have seen the curve and at 3.6 meters (12 feet) it still has 4700 liters (1241 gallons) per hour.
I think my calculations for the PCX-40 were 750 gallons at that height.

So what am I missing here?

 

[Dburr1014]

Anyone else care to chime in on jebao pumps?

 

[mcarroll]

I always heard and believe the bigger the system, the more stable.

This is why I asked how big a priority the other things are.

It's good to save money.

It's also good to have a bigger system.

But you can't do both.

For what it's worth, I didn't see you mention anything in your sump that your tank couldn't hypothetically live without....is your display heavily stocked or lightly stocked? Or somewhere in the middle?

If it's not heavily stocked, I think you could shut down the basement section and replace the skimmer and filtration aspects of it with the Reefpack I mentioned. Maybe even just the skimmer part of it.

So the new pumps (12000 Jebao) are rated to pump up to 6 meters. That's 19 feet. My pump now is rated at 22 feet. Not seeing why it would fit the bill.

It might. But there are caveats.

Mainly, 19 feet is not identical to 22 feet. Since you're "only" getting 350 GPH now (with a beefier pump) I don't see a good reason to select a "weaker" pump. 350 GPH is about right! (This kinda means you're giving about 300 GPH to the skimmer.)