Need a QUIET return pump for a standard 20 gallon tank

  • Thread starter Thread starter cloak
  • Start date Start date
  • Tagged users None

cloak

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Apr 25, 2015
Messages
2,972
Reaction score
2,114
Location
Stockton, CA
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Over the years I've used a Rio 2500 and a 2100 as a return pump and while they did there job, (quite well actually) they were kind of loud. (sort of a low humming sound) Any recommendations on something quieter would be great. Thanks. :)
 
No doubt - Sicce !!
 
I'm gonna buddy up with vetteguy and say sicce as well (for a 20gal, the sicce syncra 0.5), but the trick to really silencing any return pump is to make sure you have a piece of silicon tubing to isolate it from the hard plumbing. Actual silicon tubing, not soft PVC, vinyl hose or rubber tubing.
 
Over the years I've used a Rio 2500 and a 2100 as a return pump and while they did there job, (quite well actually) they were kind of loud. (sort of a low humming sound) Any recommendations on something quieter would be great. Thanks. :)

If you want real quiet you may want to look at dc pumps. Matter of fact I have a Reef Octopus Varios on my tank in the living room and you can not tell it is running unless you put your head in the stand.
While Sicce is more quiet than most AC pumps they are not as quiet as most dc pumps. They are very reliable pumps.
I find Eheim to be slightly quieter than Sicce but more expensive for a ac pump. I also would put Tunze up here with Sicce and Eheim for quietness and reliability..
So it really depends on how quiet you want and what you want to spend..

Rio's are not very quiet.
 
Last edited:
Jebao is king for quietness and affordability.

i have the dcp-3000 (they have smaller ones too but the smallest my lfs had was the 3000) on my 14G with sump and i run it at the lowest setting 30% and i cant hear the thing even if i put my ear on the pipe.
 
Thank you everybody for the replies. Will look into all of the recommendations. :)
 

IF YOU HAD TO TAKE A REEFING EXAM, WOULD YOU PASS?

  • Yes!

    Votes: 32 45.7%
  • Not yet, but I have one that I want to buy in mind!

    Votes: 9 12.9%
  • No.

    Votes: 26 37.1%
  • Other (please explain).

    Votes: 3 4.3%
Back
Top