Recommend me a return pump

jerryc · Apr 16, 2009

Please recommend a return pump for me ??
I'm using a Mag 5' and it sounds awful and i need one that is quieter and i dont have experience with most of the others out their.

The mags or a good pump but the sound is bad for a living room
tank :sad:

gparr · Apr 16, 2009

I run a Mag 9.5 and a Mag 12 in the same room and don't find them to be too loud. Is your pump in a sump or external? Do you have it sitting on a rubber pad to absorb vibration? Is it getting a lot of back pressure and having to work too hard? Is it too small for the job and having to work too hard? Might be best to describe your setup. I'm sure there are several people here who can help you spec a pump.
gary

Breakin Newz · Apr 16, 2009

OceanRunner 2500, does 630GPH... I've had mag 2 and mag 5 and this thing is SILENT compared too them... And the oceanrunner (38watts) is less watts then the mag 5 (45watts)

colorfan45 · Apr 16, 2009

If you got the loot go Red Dragon. I wouldnt even know mine was running if I couldnt see the water moving.

Sikryd · Apr 16, 2009

+1
My vortecs on reef mode are louder than my oceanrunner.

Alti · Apr 16, 2009

The quiet one 2200 is roughly the same size, virtually silent and uses less electricity.

AZDesertRat · Apr 16, 2009

Never been a fan of Mag pumps due to noise, high wattage and heat generation. OceanRunners are my choice with Eheim a close second. I have had two Quiet Ones literally go up in flames so would never consider one of those and had brand new impeller magnets swell up on a Via Aqua and a Rio Hyper Flow so would cross them off too.

Ladipyg · Apr 16, 2009

Jerry perfect timing...I am trying to figure out what pump to get for my 120...I am actually working on the plumbing today...I will be using a pump to test run it for leaks but I don't think I want that as my permanent pump. I guess I'll start my own thread so I don't hijack yours :smile:

EliteReefs · Apr 16, 2009

i a huge fan of the reefflow products

jerryc · Apr 16, 2009

Ladipyg said:
Jerry perfect timing...I am trying to figure out what pump to get for my 120...I am actually working on the plumbing today...I will be using a pump to test run it for leaks but I don't think I want that as my permanent pump. I guess I'll start my own thread so I don't hijack yours :smile:

No problem hijack away LOL :bigsmile:

meisen · Apr 21, 2009

Mags arent that bad....dont use them externally however as they arent ideal for that. Internally they are a good, durable pump if eeking out every last bit of heat and energy efficency isnt your thing. As noted above, they tend to run hot and use more energy than some other brands. Durability is fantastic on them and I have 6+ year old Mags still running to prove it

. Its also easy to get replacement parts (impellers and volutes can break).

But eheims are really good pumps too and are more efficent (pricier up front and a little harder to plumb in typically).

I havent used the Oceanrunners except to drive skimmers and unfortunately Red Dragons are out of reach.

For external pumps, Iwakis, reeflos and Bluelines all have worked well for me in the past with the former being the quietest IMO.

meisen · Apr 21, 2009

A friend has a Mag 36 driving a basement sump.....frankly its doing a fantastic job. With a 300 G system, the extra heat just serves to keep the heaters off most of the time

. And the way we have it hooked up it is a lot more quiet than anything external I have seen.

xmjxflipx · Apr 21, 2009

i have 2 mag 5, one for a return and one for my remora pro.....they arent loud for my tank.....the fans on my current nova extreme pro are way louder than they are =P

evilc66 · Apr 22, 2009

Ocean Runner 3500 in my sump is dead silent. I wish I could have said the same for the 6500 that was on my closed loop. Ended up replacing it with a Mag12 which I'm not entirely happy with. Still chatters a little (vinyl tube in and out, and sitting on the pad), but far less than the OR6500. You could always try the new MJ utility pumps. I hear they are very quiet.