Pump decision - Reef Octopus VarioS vs Jebao DC

Marctrees · Apr 11, 2017

My ONLY question is ----- Reliability and quality difference.

Everything else I can easily Search / find.

Problem is they are both relatively new.

Not historied like Iwaki or Little Giant, Etc, AC pumps, but I WANT the DC control features at a reasonable price.

No Abyzz or Royal Exclusiv in the budget at allllll.

I really hate buying china S___, but cant afford Jap or German.

I will have a Danner Magdrive as backup on the shelf, for emergency use if the DC goes bad.

Looking to circulate around 400 GPH @ 7' head.

Edit - I will be using the pump externally, NOT submerged.

Thank you all, Marctrees

AndrewNC · Apr 11, 2017

I was pretty much sold on the VarioS until I saw a buddy of mines dcp 10000. VarioS is actually priced pretty decently. However, with everything else I needed to purchase I decided to save some money an I purchased the Jebao DCP 10000. I have about 9' head pressure if my calculations are correct and I still gets tons of pressure. I have it plumbed through the wall behind the tank and into my sump. I only have it at 47% now. I plan on possibly bringing it up higher but it's flowing through my sump pretty fast already. I can't speak for the longevity of it as I had it for only a few days but I know several that love them and I've heard several with issues. These DCPs actually seem pretty well built. The controller buttons seem a bit cheap but the actually controller is bulky and strong.

pickupman66 · Apr 11, 2017

I have not had the Reef Octopus pump, but I have had a First edition Jebao DC6000 since shortly after they released. I have had ZERO issues with this pump. None. it has performed flawlessly for me for 3 years. For the first 6 months I owned it, I had it in use as an Externally mounted Closed loop pump. it ran 24/7 at about 75%. then I switched tanks and tossed it in as my return pump. it works great in this duty as well. just recently I decided to ditch the factory controller and hooked it into my Archon controller and a DCI module so now I have it ramping from 40 to 60% every 30 minutes. I am about to switch it over to a custom made Tidal current mode whereas it would run at 70% for 30 minutes and then just 50 % for 11 hours. (just trying to have fun with it).

It has been a good pump and like any, regular cleaning keeps performance high. I have not cleaned mine in 6 months or more. It will not get hot like the Danner will. mine is on about an 80 gallon system and my heater cycles year round.

Marctrees · Apr 11, 2017

Thank you for replies.

PLEASE keep them coming.

I just hate to buy anything chinese - specially like any tools and mechanical / technical things.

Not always, but usually crap.

Willing to pay more for Reef Octopus ( even though still chinese) over Jebao, but money very tight on disabled retiree budget.

BTW - I have spent hours searching and reading, problem is both of these are pretty new, minimal history.

I want longevity/ reliability/ parts availability.

Marctrees

McArcher · Apr 11, 2017

AndrewNC said:
I was pretty much sold on the VarioS until I saw a buddy of mines dcp 10000. VarioS is actually priced pretty decently. However, with everything else I needed to purchase I decided to save some money an I purchased the Jebao DCP 10000. I have about 9' head pressure if my calculations are correct and I still gets tons of pressure. I have it plumbed through the wall behind the tank and into my sump. I only have it at 47% now. I plan on possibly bringing it up higher but it's flowing through my sump pretty fast already. I can't speak for the longevity of it as I had it for only a few days but I know several that love them and I've heard several with issues. These DCPs actually seem pretty well built. The controller buttons seem a bit cheap but the actually controller is bulky and strong.

I don't have any experience with Jebao pumps, but it looks like you might have missed some garbage on your floor before you put your sump down.[emoji6]

AndrewNC · Apr 11, 2017

McArcher said:
I don't have any experience with Jebao pumps, but it looks like you might have missed some garbage on your floor before you put your sump down.[emoji6]

Lol

mrsaltwaterguy · Apr 11, 2017

I purchased a second setup with someone who had a reef octopus varios4 for his return pump and it is silent. I mean I have my couch directly next to my tank and I can't hear it. I love mine so much I bought a second one that flows to my external fuge. One is over a year old and the other is about a month, I have yet to experience a problem with either. I'm completely sold on these pumps, I may even buy another to put under my main display tank.

ithk21620 · Apr 11, 2017

I have had both pumps and I am much happier with the VarioS. I had issues with the Jebao getting build up in the pump causing it to stop. This would happen every other month or so. I replaced it with the VarioS pump July of last year and it has ran perfectly.

Liquidgold · Apr 11, 2017

Have you looked into the Deepwater Aquatics Distribution DC7 pumps? I think they are made in Europe (maybe England) and reasonably priced. I've used them for over 2 years without problems. I have two return pumps that I exchange and clean in vinegar every 6 months. I have also used Jebao and find the Deepwater pumps more reliable.

rushbattle · Apr 11, 2017

I have had a dcp-6500 and a varios 8. The 6500 was so loud I could hear it all over the house. Tried two different specimens too. The varios is silent and moves far more water, which makes sense because it is rated much higher as well.

nervousmonkey · Apr 11, 2017

Varios hands down. I have had the DCS 3000, DCT 6000 and DCT 12000 and none of them are working now. Granted it has been more than a year, but come on, a year for a return pump to fail? Stick with Reef Octopus, I think you'll find the features on the Varios are also a LOT better than Jebao pumps. Plus the Varios comes with a float switch you can use as a high alarm shut off, or turn back on, etc. and it's super quiet.

Pmj · Apr 11, 2017

I'm sure other pumps are "better", but I have a DC 5000 original model, that I got used with the tank when I bought it over a year ago. I just bought a new DCP-10000 and replaced the other one so I have a backup. That's the only reason, never had an issue with it, just wanted a backup. I've never even really cleaned the other one well as it's pretty hard to pull the impeller out. They aren't loud either, my skimmer (SRO-2000) is much louder, I don't hear it at all over than and the overflow.

rushbattle · Apr 11, 2017

The noise issue really bothers me. Others have almost universally reported that the Jebao DC pumps as nearly silent, but I have found that they are actually quite loud. Louder than any AC pump I have ever used, like the mag pumps, quiet ones, etc. I am not sure how this can possibly be, but the Varios are quiet, the most quiet I have ever heard. I come about this conclusion with a bit of apprehension, because I have found coralvue to be off-putting and lacking in service in the past. I would actually much rather the Jebao be a better solution. I am at a loss.

JVS · Apr 11, 2017

I owned a D.C.12000, after 6 months the power supply went so the company on Amazon I bought it from sent me a new one and after that the pump ran over a year and I had no problems with it. I sold the system so I'm not sure if it is working still. The Vectra is supposed to be a very good pump, also the pump from current USA. They are pretty affordable.

Aqua fire/medic · Apr 11, 2017

AndrewNC said:
I was pretty much sold on the VarioS until I saw a buddy of mines dcp 10000. VarioS is actually priced pretty decently. However, with everything else I needed to purchase I decided to save some money an I purchased the Jebao DCP 10000. I have about 9' head pressure if my calculations are correct and I still gets tons of pressure. I have it plumbed through the wall behind the tank and into my sump. I only have it at 47% now. I plan on possibly bringing it up higher but it's flowing through my sump pretty fast already. I can't speak for the longevity of it as I had it for only a few days but I know several that love them and I've heard several with issues. These DCPs actually seem pretty well built. The controller buttons seem a bit cheap but the actually controller is bulky and strong.

I know this is off topic but I absolutely love your sump! My wife is starting grad school at the U in August. Gotta show her this pic!

mpjones · Apr 12, 2017

I've ran Jebao D.C. pumps since they were released. I have a 9000 model supplying my 2 media reactors and 80 gallon frag system. I also have a 12000 supplying my 270 gallon display. I do routine cleaning every 56 months. I have had zero issues since turning them on from the start. I also have a 12000 that's sitting on the shelf in case something happens to either and can swap then out if needed.

AndrewNC · Apr 12, 2017

I know other have said their Jebao pumps are loud but my DCP 10000 is dead silent. Honestly if you have no problems dishing out the money Reef Octopus is obviously the better option and it's hard to even compare the two

AndrewNC · Apr 12, 2017

Aqua fire/medic said:
I know this is off topic but I absolutely love your sump! My wife is starting grad school at the U in August. Gotta show her this pic!

Thank you. That's awesome. Great school.

pdt7361 · Apr 12, 2017

I have Jebao's newest version of their return pump, the DCP Sine 10000 and it has been wonderful. The pump is silent, strong, and I can see the actual power usage on it as well.