I need a quiet return pump

SnakeBlitz33 · Feb 11, 2015

I have a lifeguard aquatics quiet one model 4000 and it is not really quiet. I hear it go wah wah wah wah buzz buzz. I even added silicone feet to it to keep the vibrations low. Still no luck. I need a pump that pushes roughly 750gph or a little less at about four foot of head and is nearly silent or dead silent right out of the box.

The issue wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have a bean animal overflow that is super quiet.

redfishbluefish · Feb 11, 2015

I'd look at DC pumps.....the new Jebao DCT pumps to be exact. And I'd get the DCT6000.....it will give you a bit more than what you need at 100%, but the great thing about these pumps is that you can dial them back.

Trex · Feb 12, 2015

While not a DC pump, I am very pleased with my Ehiem 1262 (( 900 GPH )), and can't hear it -- the loudest thing is the fans for the T5s

bitzerjd · Feb 12, 2015

Trex said:
While not a DC pump, I am very pleased with my Ehiem 1262 (( 900 GPH )), and can't hear it -- the loudest thing is the fans for the T5s

+1 For that flow rate, the Ehiem is perfect

zesty · Feb 12, 2015

This is from fish-street's webpage on their DCT page.

SnakeBlitz33 · Feb 12, 2015

I think I'm going to go for that DC pump when I can. The quiet one is annoying. I got a DC pump on the skimz skimmer and I can't even hear it.

Canitolindo · Feb 13, 2015

Dc pumps are great im surprised I have a quiet one 3000 it's actually talk quiet try cleaning out propeller

Canitolindo · Feb 13, 2015

I meant too quiet

SnakeBlitz33 · Feb 13, 2015

It was loud out of the box. If it's not clean when it's brand new then how can it be any cleaner?

TheEngineer · Feb 13, 2015

I had a quiet one 4000 on my 75g before I took it down. It does make some noise if it sits on the bottom of the sump. I just raised it off the bottom and then it was dead silent.

zemuss · Feb 13, 2015

I use the DC6000 as my pump. I installed a manifold so i can use one pump for many different things. Currently have my Return and Media Reactor turned on and have the pump dialed in to 50%. It is putting out enough flow and isn't that loud. Two more items will be added over the next week or two. One for the Skimmer Sump and one for the ATS.

All lines use 3/4 inch ID except the Media Reactor which uses 1/2 ID. Pump is working very good and silent.

zesty · Feb 13, 2015

zemuss said:
I use the DC6000 as my pump. I installed a manifold so i can use one pump for many different things. Currently have my Return and Media Reactor turned on and have the pump dialed in to 50%. It is putting out enough flow and isn't that loud. Two more items will be added over the next week or two. One for the Skimmer Sump and one for the ATS.

All lines use 3/4 inch ID except the Media Reactor which uses 1/2 ID. Pump is working very good and silent.

Pictures of your manifold? I am wanting to do exactly this and have a few ideas, but love examples!!

zemuss · Feb 13, 2015

Its based off this example: http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/images/stories/totm/apr2012/equipment/reactor manifold.jpg

However my manifold is basically a straight pipe with 4 tees off the main line. First is return, second is feed to sump2, third is ATS and fourth is media reactor. The media reactor is just that any media I want to run like a filter floss only or filter floss and carbon. Each line has a ball valve to control flow. The fourth line (end) or media reactor line is restricted to half the flow because i think i was giving the media reactor too much flow.

If i remember i will take a picture and post it tonight.

As more items come on line I might have to increase the pumps flow.

Wiinberg · Feb 13, 2015

I bought the Jebao DCT4000. Since everybody said that those pumps were quiet. Mine sounds like a jet turbine. But no vibrations at all, so that's nice i guess..

dbl · Feb 13, 2015

To SnakeBlitz33...I have both a DC pump (Waveline DC12000 for return) and a Sicce 5.0 (closed loop used externally) and I will say, at least in my case, they are both silent. For clarification, the pipe insulation you see in the picture was my stupidity, not due to loud pump. I screwed up and ended up having the return line on the CL (Sicce) hitting the sump causing a vibration. Had it not hit the sump, I wouldn't hear it. I do have the Sicce sitting on a foam block.

To Zesty (not to derail OP's question), here is another example of a manifold off the return pump. Each port is valved for flow control and the entire manifold can be controlled or shut down completely with the valve in the upper right of the picture. Manifold is used for reactors and chiller with a couple extras for future expansion.

Eckolancer · Feb 13, 2015

I use the dc-12000 and my fridge is louder then this pump. I also have a manifold setup on the return with biopellets and c02 and carbon reactor.

Devilboy · Feb 13, 2015

i would like to get one of the DC pumps for my return pump as well, and plumb a manifold off on the output side of the pump.... My tank is a 35g cube, what size jebao DC pump should i be looking at for this application?

NanaReefer · Feb 13, 2015

I have the Sicce Syncra Silent 2.0 on my 40B. (Rated 568gph) My tank sits 3-4' from my couch, silent is exactly what this pump is

huskerreefatl · Feb 18, 2015

Does the Ehiem 1262 have a threaded connection for the return line or only the adapter type? Also, what type of footing does it have? I have a Lifegard Quiet One 6000 and it is loud...so now shopping around for a new return pump but I rigid return line with a threaded connection to the return pump.

Trex · Feb 18, 2015

huskerreefatl said:
Does the Ehiem 1262 have a threaded connection for the return line or only the adapter type? Also, what type of footing does it have? I have a Lifegard Quiet One 6000 and it is loud...so now shopping around for a new return pump but I rigid return line with a threaded connection to the return pump.

Mine has 3/4 inch threaded.

As for the footing, I have mine upright (( so the output is to the side )), and just sitting on the bottom plastic, and don't hear a thing.