Choosing return pump

[PghReef]

So I was dead set on the RO varios pump but am really questioning the price point of a dc pump and the reliability plus varying flow problems reported. No need for apex I just want to set and forget and clean as needed.

Would I be better off with an ac pump and ball valve to trottle down flow? I'm thinking a fluval sp4. If it runs at max power and I throttle it down with the ball valve as the regulator instead of the dc pumps controller my flow rate would stay fixed and be less likely to vary correct?
2 sp4 for a 90 would be way to much maybe a sp4 as a main and an sp2 as a second return for reduncy sake?

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

I love sp pumps and woudnt consider a dc pump for a return.

I feel a fluval sp (or any other askoll block pump) and a gate valve, if needed, is by far the best choice for a submersible return pump

 

[Plecosam]

I only run DC return pumps, depends on what you are wanting in a pump, for a quiet running pump nothing beats DC, for simplicity nothing beats AC.

I have a DC pump that is over 5 years old so longevity is not a problem, I have cheap spares as interim backups for both AC and DC as either technology can fail.

 

[Quantum_Reefer]

Run a sicce pump. Any of their return pumps are amazing and will last the lifetime of the tank!

 

[fishface NJ]

Jebao DCP pump on amazon.com

 

[ReefLab]

Cant speak for AC pumps but i will say i have two reef octopus varios pumps (6 and 8) and they are amazingly quiet, the slow start is a nice feature, and the tunability comes in handy. I dont personally have any concerns about reliability.

I will say i bought them both used and i probably would go with a jaebo DC pump if I'm looking at the new prices of these pumps.

 

[Plecosam]

Sicce, Tunze, Eden/Eheim, no real point in brand names I have had luck with all of them, I would not put Sicce above the others.

 

[PghReef]

I think I'll chance it for 135 cant beat the price of the fluval sp4

 

[X-37B]

I run a tunze 1073.004 on my 120 throttled back at least 50%.
I only run 2-300 gph through the sump.
Alot of good pumps out there. Whatever one you get buy 2.
They always go out when everything is closed lol.

 

[Plecosam]

Go for it, Fluval look descent, if AC is your choice and personally I think Eheim are a bit expensive and I not a huge fan of Sicce/Tunze so that one might fit the bill. Fluval may be my choice as well, either Fluval or perhaps a NYOS.

Personally I would stay away from Jebao and Aquazonic, especially Aquazonic both of these are rather cheaply made and have failed very prematurely on me.

 

[Teaman89]

So I was dead set on the RO varios pump but am really questioning the price point of a dc pump and the reliability plus varying flow problems reported. No need for apex I just want to set and forget and clean as needed.

Would I be better off with an ac pump and ball valve to trottle down flow? I'm thinking a fluval sp4. If it runs at max power and I throttle it down with the ball valve as the regulator instead of the dc pumps controller my flow rate would stay fixed and be less likely to vary correct?
2 sp4 for a 90 would be way to much maybe a sp4 as a main and an sp2 as a second return for reduncy sake?

We are going to try this one out and see how it does

 

[Plecosam]

That looks like a rebadged Jebao, personally I would stay clear, if you want a Jebao I would recommend the DCP range.

 

[PghReef]

Just realized I dont think 2 of these will fit together in my return section so just a single pump and a backup for me! Makes things simpler anyway