?!?DC Pumps?!?

[Diesel]

Now that the DC pumps been around for some time and for some they are still the next new thing in this hobby many ppl like to hear the benefits about them.
There are a few brands on the market and this thread isn't about which is the best but all about why you choose a DC pump and the pros and cons about them.
Do you run them as a return only?
Some use them also as skimmer pump, what are the benefits of that?

I know they are super quite and on the moment they are going as hot-cakes over the counter.
Many ppl I talked too are only positive and it really doesn't mater which DC pump you choose.
In the beginning I was a little skeptical about all that DC stuff as Why you want to control a return pump?
I understand that most hobbyist have one running for heat control, noise, less usage of electricity, and just that one piece of mind that they might last longer than the regular AC pumps.
Of course no bad words about the good'ol AC return pumps as they are proven work horses but if it's time to move on and replace that pump a DC should be a no brainer.

 

[dbl]

I'll start. I chose a DC pump for two reasons. I run a manifold off the return and the adjustability gives me the flexibility of flow based on what's connected to the manifold. The second reason was noise...the thing is basically dead silent (run submerged). I do like the soft start as well. Honestly the proposed energy savings was not that important but it's a nice benefit as well.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[Pete polyp]

The impeller on my sicce syncra seized up 3 days ago and I'll be getting a dc pump to replace it. I like the ability to control the flow by the amount of electricity compared to using a valve to restrict the flow.

 

[Diesel]

I'll start. I chose a DC pump for two reasons. I run a manifold off the return and the adjustability gives me the flexibility of flow based on what's connected to the manifold. The second reason was noise...the thing is basically dead silent (run submerged). I do like the soft start as well. Honestly the proposed energy savings was not that important but it's a nice benefit as well.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Was this message approved by David?

 

[Diesel]

I'll start. I chose a DC pump for two reasons. I run a manifold off the return and the adjustability gives me the flexibility of flow based on what's connected to the manifold. The second reason was noise...the thing is basically dead silent (run submerged). I do like the soft start as well. Honestly the proposed energy savings was not that important but it's a nice benefit as well.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

What kind of DC we talking?

 

[charleslotz]

+1 on David's post ,... Only disadvantage is the head pressure, not much at all .... Not ideal for Like the life reef skimmers that rely on a measure of head pressure, saying that I have a red dragon with impressive head pressure but the jeboa' s not so much,... But you cant go wrong for the price have two jeboa' s 12000 as my return in 400 gallon display. Running for +1 year and no issues... In my experiace the dc pumps , even the dc powerheads lose flow over time as they get dirty... Eg. gyre .... We're as the eco tech mp60 are constant.


Best is the noise , replaced barracuda with dc jeboa ,... Haven't looked back.... Low level hummmm gone...

 

[cmcoker]

I have a DC return and powerheads. I like the flexibility with the controllers, having a feed button to temporarily stop the pumps without having to jack with the power outlet is nice. I went oversize on the return and plan a manifold at some point. I also like less power use and the silence of the pump.

 

[mfinn]

I've been looking for a replacement for my Reeflo Dart/Snapper on my closed loop for a while now. It wasn't really that loud and I thought I could get use to it, but I couldn't.
When I heard how quiet the Vectras were, I knew that's what I wanted. First thing was the quietness, second was be able to control flow.

 

[dbl]

Was this message approved by David?

Written, reviewed, edited and approved...lol.

What kind of DC we talking?

I went with the Waveline DC12000. This was two years ago.

 

[TD13]

I'm building a 120 Gallon system and going to put a JB 15000 on mine.

 

[saltyhog]

My skimmer has a DC pump and I love the quietness and the soft start. I'm thinking seriously of getting a Vectra to replace my Sicce Syncra 5.0.

 

[Sabellafella]

I love my dc pumps. I dont use one for a skimmer tho, the best part about them is if your running a manifold, you can run a bigger pump at a lower speed (witch vitually makes it silent) and if you ever T off into reactors and such, you can just up the flow a tinybit to account for it without having to adjust your overflow (if your using gate valves). Now for a skimmer i would like to kno as i wouldnt see why someone would want to run one at a lower speed

 

[Pete polyp]

I love my dc pumps. I dont use one for a skimmer tho, the best part about them is if your running a manifold, you can run a bigger pump at a lower speed (witch vitually makes it silent) and if you ever T off into reactors and such, you can just up the flow a tinybit to account for it without having to adjust your overflow (if your using gate valves). Now for a skimmer i would like to kno as i wouldnt see why someone would want to run one at a lower speed

You adjust the speed of the pump instead of adjusting the standpipe

 

[mfinn]

My skimmer has a DC pump and I love the quietness and the soft start. I'm thinking seriously of getting a Vectra to replace my Sicce Syncra 5.0.

After I replaced the Reeflo with a Vectra L1, I suddenly realized that the fairly quiet Eheim 1262 actually made a small amount of noise, so I replaced the Eheim with a Vectra M1. lol

 

[Diesel]

You adjust the speed of the pump instead of adjusting the standpipe

That's one of the advantages these pumps have.
It's a lot handier to control a control box vs getting your hands wet.

 

[Tom Blevins]

and the battery backup is a great selling feature too on the Vectra, oh wait a minute it does not work at the present moment
on them ,so don't buy it for that reason..

 

[Diesel]

and the battery backup is a great selling feature too on the Vectra, oh wait a minute it does not work at the present moment
on them ,so don't buy it for that reason..

But they have a Sensor inlet and they not making the sensors yet
Got to love Ecotech!
Yes.......... you can use a other brand sensor and it works on high/low water.

 

[dbrewsky]

The two main reasons for DC I can comment are on are these(these are based on normal home aquarium scenarios)

1- control

simply tune the flow to what you need, not fiddling with valves etc. Also this allows for a certain degree of modularity. If you install a manifold you can fine tune to flow to ensure each device is getting proper water volumes. If you decide you want to add on a refugium or frag tank you can plumb that return into your DC pump and throttle that one pump up to handle the addition

2- noise

Yes there are quite a few quiet AC pumps, however, for higher volume applications its pretty hard to find one quieter than a DC pump.

3 efficiency???

I am not qualified to debate the conversion loss from ac/dc power etc. What i do know is if a AC pump pushing 90 watts of power is throttled back 25% that pump will continue to use 90 watts. A DC pump in the same scenario could simply be throttled back by the driver and only use 70. Huge gains in efficiency? not really?!?! but cool none the less

 

[Boa1277]

Written, reviewed, edited and approved...lol.



I went with the Waveline DC12000. This was two years ago.

I also went with Waveline DC10000 over 2 yrs ago I even purchased a backup just in case and have never taken it out of the box. Very happy with my decision. The really sad part is I also purchased a Red Dragon DC80 Watt and have been waiting until my Waveline falters to replace it and it is over 1yr old also.

 

[Boa1277]

I love my dc pumps. I dont use one for a skimmer tho, the best part about them is if your running a manifold, you can run a bigger pump at a lower speed (witch vitually makes it silent) and if you ever T off into reactors and such, you can just up the flow a tinybit to account for it without having to adjust your overflow (if your using gate valves). Now for a skimmer i would like to kno as i wouldnt see why someone would want to run one at a lower speed

Well if you really enjoy tuning your skimmer then it is nice to be able to have the extra adjustability, however it is not really necessary, I will say they are quieter, more efficient, and create a lot less heat.