Help with quiet pumps and skimmers

[avocadoman]

I'm in the early stages of planning a reef tank. This will be my first saltwater aquarium. I had several freshwater tanks when I was a bit younger.

Planning for the tank to be a 40 gallon from PetSmart that's 36.5 x 15.5 x 17.2. I'm really only choosing this tank because I really like the dimensions, and I don't want something so big as to take over the entryway location. I plan to use a 20 long as a sump, and will be drilling holes into the bottom for drain/return.

The goal for the tank is for it to be very neat and unobtrusive. I want to minimize the amount of gear and tubing visible, and I also want it to be very quiet. I'm willing to pay a premium for quiet and reliable equipment, but certainly don't want to waste money.

So that being said, I'm overwhelmed by the options out there with skimmers and return pumps. Can anyone give me a few recommendations for each to get me started? I will admit a bias for gear that is "tried and true."

ETA: I hear that DC motors are quieter? Do I specifically want a skimmer with a DC motor?

 

[CBonito]

Reef Octopus skimmers and Varios DC pumps are like totally silent. You can't go wrong.
I have a Varios 2 on my skimmer, a Varios 6 for my main pump and a Varios 4 as a backup.
I've had no trouble from any of them so far.

 

[TX_REEF]

I highly recommend reefbreeders nautilus return pumps, excellent quality and controllability for the price and silent from what I can hear. I used to one in my latest build if you'd like to check it out.

Be careful drilling the bottom of the tank, many tanks are tempered glass on the bottom panel which cannot be drilled without the risk of shattering. You can just as easily drill one of the sides.

 

[shakacuz]

i have a reef octo classic 110-sss for my 20G long sump and 40B much like you plan on having. it is a work horse of a skimmer. for return pump i use the sicce syncra silent 3.0 return pump. this is the only thing i hear on my tank once i have my gate/ball valves set for a silent drain/return. and my jebao gyre's humming.

i plan on upgrading to a jebao return pump, OR reef octo return pump.

 

[avocadoman]

Thanks for the recommendations. Should I specifically look for a skimmer that has a DC pump? If they're quieter I'm happy to pay more.

 

[mfinn]

I'm in the early stages of planning a reef tank. This will be my first saltwater aquarium. I had several freshwater tanks when I was a bit younger.



ETA: I hear that DC motors are quieter? Do I specifically want a skimmer with a DC motor?

Short answer yes.
Do a little research on which dc pumps you have in mind.
Some are better than others.