Anyone using it as a return pump? Well since im planning on a 150 to 200g reef tank, im planning to start researching and buying things from now. the distance between the return pump (in the sump) to the height of the tank will be between 51" to 52" (the height). Will this pump be enough? Any other suggestions?
Eheim compact+ 5000 as a return pump?
- Thread starter nanomania
- Start date
- Tagged users None
mcarroll
10K Club member
You have to find a pump flow curve.
For some reason Eheim either doesn't publish them, or they're just kept well-hidden on their site – I couldn't find one on a quick search just now. If you can find one, what you're looking for is a simple cross check on the chart.
If you can't find a curve for the 5000+, I'd either call them (if you really want Eheim) or switch to a different pump that has published curves such as QuietOne or Mag. (Curves for their classic Unversal Hobby Pump line seems to be out there - consider a 1260 or 1262.)
Doesn't make sense to buy a pump without knowing the curve info....unless your retailer is conveniently located and will let you switch pumps if needed.....so you can trial and error.
For some reason Eheim either doesn't publish them, or they're just kept well-hidden on their site – I couldn't find one on a quick search just now. If you can find one, what you're looking for is a simple cross check on the chart.
If you can't find a curve for the 5000+, I'd either call them (if you really want Eheim) or switch to a different pump that has published curves such as QuietOne or Mag. (Curves for their classic Unversal Hobby Pump line seems to be out there - consider a 1260 or 1262.)
Doesn't make sense to buy a pump without knowing the curve info....unless your retailer is conveniently located and will let you switch pumps if needed.....so you can trial and error.
mcarroll
10K Club member
2x-4x is plenty....in most cases more isn't better and more than 5x can actually cause problems.
An example flow curve....like I said if you have trouble finding one, consider contacting Eheim. Or the retailer you work with.
An example flow curve....like I said if you have trouble finding one, consider contacting Eheim. Or the retailer you work with.
I run one on my system with total 55G water volume with 5X. Its silent and quite steady since last one year.
mcarroll
10K Club member
Some are like this from marine depot:
http://www.marinedepot.com/Lifegard...ps-Lifegard_Aquatics-RB30000-FIWPSBUF-vi.html
Some are like this from Dolphin Pumps:
http://www.dolphinpumps.com/#!diamond-amp-master-pumps/c20nz
http://www.marinedepot.com/Lifegard...ps-Lifegard_Aquatics-RB30000-FIWPSBUF-vi.html
Some are like this from Dolphin Pumps:
http://www.dolphinpumps.com/#!diamond-amp-master-pumps/c20nz
Coming back to main question depending upon availability you can get a m1 or jebao 9000 or dolphin. Possibly Eheim will not be sufficent enough.
Yeah their DC pumps are quite good and a lot of people use it here and actually like them too.
mcarroll
10K Club member
Any reason not to select a QuietOne or Mag?
Both are reasonably priced (QO may have the edge) and extremely well-made pumps. Perfect for your application and very tried and true.
Consider this:
A 200 gallon tank would need between 400 GPH and 800 GPH of actual flow through the sump section to keep the skimmers, etc, adequately fed with dirty tank water.
Even rounding up to 5' o height, any QuietOne from a model 2200 @ 410GPH up to a model 4000 @ 620 GPH would do the trick. All those pumps run around $60. Even the over-sized (you'd need a ball valve) 5000 is only $100. These are all intensely quiet pumps. I have run both the 2200 and 4000 as returns.
The Mag's aren't quite as silent, but still very quiet. They are also stronger, higher wattage motors...and somewhat more expensive. Still rounding up to 5' of height.... A Mag 7 is borderline, but still acceptable IMO, on the low side @ 390 GPH. A Mag 9.5 @ 685 GPH or Mag 12 @ 800 GPH would probably be preferable. Those pumps range from $90 to $150. I have run a mag 7 as a return.
Both are reasonably priced (QO may have the edge) and extremely well-made pumps. Perfect for your application and very tried and true.
Consider this:
A 200 gallon tank would need between 400 GPH and 800 GPH of actual flow through the sump section to keep the skimmers, etc, adequately fed with dirty tank water.
Even rounding up to 5' o height, any QuietOne from a model 2200 @ 410GPH up to a model 4000 @ 620 GPH would do the trick. All those pumps run around $60. Even the over-sized (you'd need a ball valve) 5000 is only $100. These are all intensely quiet pumps. I have run both the 2200 and 4000 as returns.
The Mag's aren't quite as silent, but still very quiet. They are also stronger, higher wattage motors...and somewhat more expensive. Still rounding up to 5' of height.... A Mag 7 is borderline, but still acceptable IMO, on the low side @ 390 GPH. A Mag 9.5 @ 685 GPH or Mag 12 @ 800 GPH would probably be preferable. Those pumps range from $90 to $150. I have run a mag 7 as a return.
Here you go, now you can consider the Eheim again!
http://hw-lab.com/summary-of-eheim-universal-pumps.html
and here is the chart for the Eheim Compact series
http://hw-lab.com/summary-of-eheim-universal-pumps.html
and here is the chart for the Eheim Compact series
Last edited:
Does hydor sell a return pump? Also, do you have Quietone or Mag available there? I think if you can let us know what brands are available there we can help you more.
mcarroll
10K Club member
Good find! That site cedits the manufacturer - and that does look like one of Eheim's charts - but I'll be darned if I could find it on their site...not even for download.
The Eheim Compact pumps are actually producted for them by an Italian company named Eden. They are good pumps but should not be confused with the German made Eheim Hobby pumps.
Not a fan of the quiet-one since they stopped having Sicce build their pumps for them. Reliability has suffered since their split.
I also would not recommend the Mag because of noise and reliability. I know a lot of people complain of their noise and plan to get a new pump when they break. Problem is they never break!
When it comes to AC return pumps I say Sicce for less than 1000 gph and Fluval Sea SP for over 1000 gph.
Not a fan of the quiet-one since they stopped having Sicce build their pumps for them. Reliability has suffered since their split.
I also would not recommend the Mag because of noise and reliability. I know a lot of people complain of their noise and plan to get a new pump when they break. Problem is they never break!
When it comes to AC return pumps I say Sicce for less than 1000 gph and Fluval Sea SP for over 1000 gph.
