choosing return pump

mrtian97 · Feb 17, 2016

Any opinion which return pump to use for 120 gallon tank with 40B sump, total volume around 120 gallon, height from sump to tank is about 4.5 ft.
Definitely need to have submersible pump, currently using Marineland NJ 5500 with 1" flex tubing and hose barb and ball valve.

Looking at either sicce, Jebao, eheim or Vectra. Looking for low energy to lessen heat in summer time.

Thanks

mniemann · Feb 17, 2016

I have been running sicce for about 3 years. Great pump, quiet and dependable with low power consumption.

abinder · Feb 17, 2016

By the reviews I've seen, you can't go wrong with the new Vectra DC pump. It's pricey, but supposedly extremely quiet, low wattage for the water flow volume you get, and made by a company that seems to have a good reputation.

Personally, I have 2 Tunze DC return pumps and they're very quiet.

If the Vectra would of been out then, I probably would of gone with that.

The one thing that I like in having 2 return pumps is that if one should fail, the other should be fine until I can get the other one back up and going again.

Salty1962 · Feb 17, 2016

I've been running the DC and DCT pumps and they are dead silent. I like the control of a DC pump.

jetmaker · Feb 17, 2016

Eheim 1262 silent

mrtian97 · Feb 17, 2016

how do you regularly clean the pump?

jetmaker · Feb 17, 2016

mrtian97 said:
how do you regularly clean the pump?

Shouldn't have to.

rossco · Feb 17, 2016

I run an Eheim 1262 for both my return and skimmer pumps, they been running for almost 5 years now. The ones in my last tank ran that long for me while I owned it and ran until the second owner put it in storage. You are looking at 80 watts vs some of the DC pumps, but for the reliability I won't run anything else for my display.

do_0b · Feb 17, 2016

I like the vectra but because its not compatible with Apex, I decided to go with an Eheim compact 3000+

JAWS 32 · Feb 17, 2016

I have been running an Eheim 1262 as a return pump for almost 6 years; never an issue or a noise; great pump

NanaReefer · Feb 17, 2016

Been running a Sicce Syncra for two years. Flawless operation and so very quiet.

mfinn · Feb 17, 2016

Eheim, Sicce Syncra, are both excellent pumps.
Vectra M1 is also a awesome pump. Controllable, and very quiet.
I couldn't be happier with mine.

pondman · Feb 17, 2016

I have a old via aqua I believe it's the 2600 but anyway it's been running virtually non stop for nine years or so.i don't know if they still make them or not.i clean internals about once a year or so.

mrtian97 · Feb 17, 2016

What's the difference between the Eheim 1262 and the Eheim Compact 3000 other than the 3000 is smaller footprint. Seems the 1262 I see more out there, but maybe because the 3000 is newer pump?
Thanks