Fluval Evo 13.5 DC Return Pump Recommendation

James Tucker · Dec 23, 2021

Are there any DC Return Pump Recommendations for a Fluval Evo 13.5?

I am running a Sicce 1.0 as an upgrade to the stock, but I really want a DC pump.

I've been searching for months... Thought I'd ask here to see if anyone has had any success in finding one.

Size:
7cm x 9cm
2.75inch x 3.54inch

Thank you ahead of time,
James

GoVols · Dec 24, 2021

MightyJet (326 GPH) DC AIO Submersible Desktop Return Pump - Innovative Marine

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MightyJet Midsize (538 GPH) DC Return Pump - Innovative Marine

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They might be too big?

James Tucker · Dec 26, 2021

James Tucker · Dec 26, 2021

James Tucker said:
Sadly those are too big.

GoVols said:
MightyJet (326 GPH) DC AIO Submersible Desktop Return Pump - Innovative Marine

Shop The Best Saltwater Aquarium Equipment & Supplies at Saltwater Aquarium. We Carry Everything you will Need for your Fish Tank.

www.saltwateraquarium.com

MightyJet Midsize (538 GPH) DC Return Pump - Innovative Marine

Shop The Best Saltwater Aquarium Equipment & Supplies at Saltwater Aquarium. We Carry Everything you will Need for your Fish Tank.

www.saltwateraquarium.com

They might be too big?

Sadly those are too big.

homer1475 · Dec 26, 2021

Question is, why do you want a DC pump, when there are many AC pumps that will fit the bill just fine.

They really do not save any money electricity wise.

IMO a return pump is something you set and forget, like lights. Having the ability to control them is pointless as once they are set, you'll never touch them again.

James Tucker · Dec 28, 2021

homer1475 said:
Question is, why do you want a DC pump, when there are many AC pumps that will fit the bill just fine.

They really do not save any money electricity wise.

IMO a return pump is something you set and forget, like lights. Having the ability to control them is pointless as once they are set, you'll never touch them again.

It is personal preference. I have DC pumps on my main display and it greatly cut down on noise and vibration. Almost completely silent. I also like the ability to control the flow of the pump via a controller.

The Sicce 1.0 is adequate for the purpose, but it has a lot of vibration that I'd like to eliminate.

sam2110 · Dec 28, 2021

Run mine with an Eheim compact 1000 and it's silent, much better than sicce.

Apparently this pump can be made to fit but I haven't tried it. If you read the reviews it tells you how to make it fit an evo

James Tucker · Dec 29, 2021

sam2110 said:
Run mine with an Eheim compact 1000 and it's silent, much better than sicce.

I'll check that one out while I continue my hunt, thanks for the recommendation.

dedragon · Dec 29, 2021

maybe this one might fit (minus the big cage on it) or go all the way and upgrade tanks at that point

My Naturia 22.4 Gallon Cube Rimless AIO Glass Nano Tank

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this one comes with a dc pump im pretty sure for an extra $150 you get a bigger, nicer tank. just an option

Derrick0580 · Jan 9, 2022

sam2110 said:
Run mine with an Eheim compact 1000 and it's silent, much better than sicce.

Apparently this pump can be made to fit but I haven't tried it. If you read the reviews it tells you how to make it fit an evo

I use the eheim 1000 and its worked flawlessly!

tpirovol · Jan 16, 2022

What did you end up getting in the end?

pecan2phat · Feb 8, 2022

The DCS 1200 does not fit FYI.
I have one and tried it in the Evo 13.5 and it’s a no go.

tpirovol · Feb 8, 2022

Dca1200

tpirovol · Feb 8, 2022

DCA1200 should fit

Just John · Feb 8, 2022

James Tucker said:
It is personal preference. I have DC pumps on my main display and it greatly cut down on noise and vibration. Almost completely silent. I also like the ability to control the flow of the pump via a controller.

The Sicce 1.0 is adequate for the purpose, but it has a lot of vibration that I'd like to eliminate.

I have the Sicce 0.5 and it's very quiet in my 13.5. but I did this -
Try holding the power cord to hold it above the bottom and/or away from the side and see if it is quieter. I set the pump up to be held away from the side and it made a lot of difference.

MsBean · Jul 10, 2023

Reviving this old thread as I have the same question. I recently bought an Ecoflow portable power supply in hopes that I could use it as a backup to power the pump in my Evo 13.5 during power outages. (We have had 3x72-hour power outages in the last year and occasional smaller ones). However, on testing with my current pump (Sicce syncra 0.5, 8W), I am not totally happy with the results as I lose almost half of the battery's efficiency through the AC conversion. I've been told that I would get significantly better efficiency running a DC rather than an AC powered device.

So back to the original poster's question - is anyone aware of a submersible DC powered pump that would work for this tank?

dr_vinnie_boombatz · Jul 29, 2023

Looks like there is a smaller MightyJet now (think it came out in 2020?), a mini. Just ordered myself to try, per product description it's smaller than the Sicce 1.0 and 0.5 at only 1.87" x 2.5" if you don't use the front cover which I won't. I tried two Sicce 1.0 and both are loud.

What is weird is when researching for this build this one was never recommended (my build is only 6 months old).

dr_vinnie_boombatz · Jul 29, 2023

Newb2022 said:
Looks like there is a smaller MightyJet now (think it came out in 2020?), a mini. Just ordered myself to try, per product description it's smaller than the Sicce 1.0 and 0.5 at only 1.87" x 2.5" if you don't use the front cover which I won't. I tried two Sicce 1.0 and both are loud.

What is weird is when researching for this build this one was never recommended (my build is only 6 months old).

I just installed, confirmed it FITS and zero noise. It doesn't come with suction cups for the feet so I used the existing Sicce ones. Its PERFECT! No more hum and rattle