Need help to pick a return pump

[Radman73]

If you don't clean your pump and you send it in crusted up with calcium deposits no company is going to warranty that because it died from neglect. Also if a snail gets in the volute housing and chews up the impeller that's on you not them. I wouldn't get all wrapped up in worrying about their warranty though because if the SP6 is working properly from when it's first installed it is extremely unlikely to fail except for user error or lack of maintenance. Only time I'd be watchful would be the first week or so. If it runs like a top then you're probably going to be set for a very long time. I service all my SP series pumps annually with a vinegar soak for the impeller and rotor well. Never had one give me trouble so far and I have at least 10 of them running on various tanks out in the field right now. The SP6 is one of the few submersible return pumps I trust other than the old school eheim 1262 universal hobby pump. Other than those for submersible applications I only use iwaki or pan world returns.

I've had an Ehiem 1262 running on my 60 cube for years. Great pump, just needed a little more for a 220 or I would have run with it.

 

[rockskimmerflow]

I've had an Ehiem 1262 running on my 60 cube for years. Great pump, just needed a little more for a 220 or I would have run with it.

Yeah those eheim universals are my first and really only choice when spec'ing tanks in the sub 150 gallon range for customers. Bigger than that it's usually an SP6 or sometimes a pair of the 1262s depending on how much redundancy is desired. If external plumbing is in the works I always go iwaki or panworld though. They really are the best IMO for set, forget, and peace of mind. And in the event the power goes out it's going to kick right back on with no fuss for years and years of reliable service- and never have any seals to wear out as a bonus. The Eheim and SP6 really are as bullet proof as I can find for hobby grade submersibles though.

 

[Forsaken77]

Thanks guys! Sounds like the quality issue in Jebao’s earlier days have improved.

Any users of Fluval and Aqua Medic users out there that can provide some feedback?

Just curious... I haven't looked at the prices of these pumps, but are they much cheaper than a Reef Octopus VarioS return pump. Because the VarioS are dead silent and come with every attachment you would need for both soft & hard plumbing.

I don't know if you looked into it, but some pumps are more prone to stray voltage as well. So reliability isn't the only factor, ime.

 

[Sleepydoc]

I have a Fluval SP4 that has been outstanding. It is virtually silent and powerful. Energy wise it is just as efficient as comparable DC pumps.

 

[sc50964]

Just curious... I haven't looked at the prices of these pumps, but are they much cheaper than a Reef Octopus VarioS return pump. Because the VarioS are dead silent and come with every attachment you would need for both soft & hard plumbing.

I don't know if you looked into it, but some pumps are more prone to stray voltage as well. So reliability isn't the only factor, ime.

Just checked. A varioS 8 costs $375, which is at least $100 more than any of the pumps mentioned above.

As to stray voltage, that’s a good thing to check. I will look into it. Thanks.

 

[KMench]

I have a Nyos return pump. Never knew they made them until I saw it on sale one day. Picked it up and it works great! Quiet and has a 3 year warranty also. Just another option..

 

[sc50964]

I have a Nyos return pump. Never knew they made them until I saw it on sale one day. Picked it up and it works great! Quiet and has a 3 year warranty also. Just another option..

Thanks. Will look into that as well!

 

[Sagecritter4life]

I am using Current USA DC Eflux 6011 very small footprint up to 21ft head pressure and was affordable. Been running year so far no problem just another option [emoji6] lol could quit tommrw but so far so good...

Basement sump about 400gph at 16' head pressure so if under cabinet lighting head pressure bet it would work.

 

[mknightryder]

I've always had great luck with jebao stuff, but for my return I went with the SP4 on my 150g. Pump is going on two yrs and has been a tank! It is quiet and super strong. I run two seperate 3/4 returns to loc-lines, an Emperor Aquaitics/Pentair UV sterilizer, refugium, DIY chaeto reactor, Gfo, and Carbon reactor all off the one SP4 and it is throttled back at each outlet... Best advice is run at least a 1" return line from the pump and then reduce down at each outlet and throttle back with a ball valve where necessary regardless of what pump you choose. Hth

 

[vetteguy53081]

Jebao due to cost and features seem to be the reefer standard but they do not have a long life and parts such as impellers not easy to come by at a LFS. Fluval would probably hold the best quality of the listed ones you have.

 

[Neo Jeo]

Jebao DCP is the newest pumps. Get a DCP

 

[ksed]

There are far fewer complaints with the DCP

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

Love my sp4. 5 years and going strong.

 

[ksed]

Love my sp4. 5 years and going strong.

Great pumps

 

[Irishman]

SP6 hands down without a doubt.

The other models you listed aren't even in the same ballpark in terms of build quality and expected longevity. If you care for the SP6 you will get at least 4-5 trouble free years out of it, and likely longer. No controller or power brick to go out on you. Simplicity is absolutely a critical factor for a return pump. For in tank powerheads/circulation flow go DC, there's nothing better for controllability, but for a return pump there's no reason to complicate the most important piece of your aquariums life support system

What size of tubing do you run on the return line of your SP6?

 

[rockskimmerflow]

What size of tubing do you run on the return line of your SP6?

I run tons of them on various systems in the field. Some are soft plumbed with 1" hosing on the included barb fitting and submerged in the sump, while others are externally situated with 1.5" or 2" pvc connections. The soft tubing plumbing is definitely less technically challenging to install if one is not experienced with plumbing etc.