Favorite DC return pump?

Fritzhamer · Jun 3, 2017

I currently use a Tunze Silence .40 and it is very quiet. There is the audible hummmmmmmm you'd expect with a return but as returns go, it's pretty quiet. At least I think it is, I wouldn't know if there was a quieter option. It certainly is quieter than an Eheim or Mag but I've never used a D.C. Return before.

I keep hearing people say that they are "silent". I've never had a silent DC circulation pump. Are they that quiet? What is your favorite DC pump? I'm looking for roughly 700 gph at a five foot head (give or take). I've been looking at the Varios 4.

reefwiser · Jun 3, 2017

Favorites are Abyzz and Royal Exclusiv like tough well built equipment.

Fritzhamer · Jun 3, 2017

Wow, that's a serious price tag. Hard to justify 10x the cost of an AC pump unless it does something else. Longevity wise, aren't AC pumps more reliable?

reefwiser · Jun 3, 2017

You asked for a D.C. Pump.
Pumps are the heart of you system. I have learned to never go cheap with them. I am also an industrial maintenance man of over 40 years. So I look at pumps very closely how they are made. You can buy a cheap pump for sure but you will not get a rock solid pump that will not develop issues due to cheap design of the bearing elements. Which is where all cheap pumps fail.

Fritzhamer · Jun 3, 2017

Good to know, thanks. I appreciate the input and expertise. In my case I have a quiet AC pump that I can adjust the output of easily via a dial on the front. There probably isn't much benefit to switching to a DC pump, even a very reliable one.

I was mostly curious about how many people love their DC pumps. If you ask "what skimmer should I get", you get hundreds of posts of people that love or hate their skimmers. I was wondering if going DC was so great that people would post their suggestions. Since there isn't much response I guess DC pumps either aren't that great or aren't that greatly used?

From what I understand the benefit of a D.C. return is 1. Noise level and 2. Controllability without a mechanical valve. I'm also intrigued by the Aquamaxx pumps. Thy claim to have a frequency above human hearing that makes them very quiet. While they may not be as reliable as the pumps you suggested, I could buy five for half the cost of a great pump and have many backups on hand.

JoshH · Jun 3, 2017

Abyzz also comes with a 10 year warranty.... unheard of in this industry and most industries for that matter. another option that was JUST posted today is this....

https://premiumaquatics.com/products/sicce-syncra-sdc-60-controllable-pump-4001600gph.html

Lots of people swear by Sicce and there quality and quietness, with the added bonus of having built in WIFI control (Without having to purchase extra equipment to make it WIFI controllable) at prices lower than Vectras they might be real winners.... Although I can't say from personal experience on the subject. Might be worth looking into...