Return pump recommendations for Marine x 60.2

Beck · Feb 18, 2021

I'm setting up a waterbox marine x 60.2 (36 gallons) and I'm looking for a reliable and quiet return pump. Waterbox recommended a syncra silent 3.0 is there a better option?

lapin · Feb 18, 2021

I like danner pumps
Maybe a 9.5

Beck · Feb 22, 2021

What's the advantages of a DC pump? Are they as reliable?

Ippyroy · Feb 22, 2021

Beck said:
What's the advantages of a DC pump? Are they as reliable?

DC pumps are quiet. Completely quiet. You can adjust the flow, so you can possibly use it on the next larger tank you build. Because you can adjust, if you don't run it at a high output, it will last longer.
I love my Sicce Syncra SDC 6.0. It runs my 32 gallon DT and 40 gallon sump at 33%.

Jonny Walker · Feb 27, 2021

I’m still waiting on my 60.2 to ship ( I ordered it first week of Jan) but I also looking for recommendations on a return I would like to go with a Vectra but I’m not sure what size I should get.
I’ve read that a good rule of thumb is 3-5 x the gallons of your display so would the S2 be sufficient? this will be my first tank with a sump so I am unfamiliar with return pumps.

ReeferLou · Feb 27, 2021

Beck said:
What's the advantages of a DC pump? Are they as reliable?

No 120V AC going into the tank - less stray voltage chance

Beck · Feb 27, 2021

Jonny Walker said:
I’m still waiting on my 60.2 to ship ( I ordered it first week of Jan) but I also looking for recommendations on a return I would like to go with a Vectra but I’m not sure what size I should get.
I’ve read that a good rule of thumb is 3-5 x the gallons of your display so would the S2 be sufficient? this will be my first tank with a sump so I am unfamiliar with return pumps.

If your going with the vectra the S2 is the size you want for the 60.2

For me it's between the vectra S2 and syncra silent 3.0. I really don't care about a controllable pump. I just want quiet and reliable.

newbie2014 · Feb 28, 2021

I have vectra S1 (early version of S2) on a 60g cube w/ bashea cube sump. I don’t know the actual return rate, but I have it running about 90% power. I depend more on my 2 MP10s for in-tank circulation.
And I cannot hear it running even with my head inside the stand.

newbie2014 · Feb 28, 2021

Just wanna add: my S1 also feeds a manifold for one reactor.

FrontRangeReefer · Feb 28, 2021

I’m running a Nyos Viper 3.0 on my Marine X 60.2 on Waterbox recommendation. My tank is brand new and it has been working well so far. One thing to mention is that I did run into an issue with the barb that comes with it. The stock Waterbox return hose is very slightly larger (internal diameter) than the stock Nyos barb, so the temporary solution was to zip tie it tight to get a good seal while I go about trying to source the larger barb. I presume this issue is because Nyos is a German company and uses metric hardware.

PinkReef · Feb 28, 2021

FrontRangeReefer said:
I’m running a Nyos Viper 3.0 on my Marine X 60.2 on Waterbox recommendation. My tank is brand new and it has been working well so far. One thing to mention is that I did run into an issue with the barb that comes with it. The stock Waterbox return hose is very slightly larger (internal diameter) than the stock Nyos barb, so the temporary solution was to zip tie it tight to get a good seal while I go about trying to source the larger barb. I presume this issue is because Nyos is a German company and uses metric hardware.

exactly my issue with the Viper 2.0

why did you go with the 3.0 on the 60.2 if i may ask?

FrontRangeReefer · Mar 1, 2021

PinkReef said:
exactly my issue with the Viper 2.0

why did you go with the 3.0 on the 60.2 if i may ask?

TBH, I went with the 3.0 primarily based off WB’s recommendations, but also because of the excellent reviews I came across. Nowhere in those reviews did anyone mention the hose barb issue, however. It’s been running on my new tank for 36 hours without any issue, so I will simply monitor while I try to find a solution.

Beck · Mar 1, 2021

FrontRangeReefer said:
TBH, I went with the 3.0 primarily based off WB’s recommendations, but also because of the excellent reviews I came across. Nowhere in those reviews did anyone mention the hose barb issue, however. It’s been running on my new tank for 36 hours without any issue, so I will simply monitor while I try to find a solution.

Can you hear the pump running with the stand door closed? I've read good things about viper pumps.

FrontRangeReefer · Mar 1, 2021

Beck said:
Can you hear the pump running with the stand door closed? I've read good things about viper pumps.

So far, so good. It’s been super quiet. Definitely can’t notice it with the cabinet closed.

PinkReef · Mar 1, 2021

FrontRangeReefer said:
So far, so good. It’s been super quiet. Definitely can’t notice it with the cabinet closed.

So, I'm not too happy about the sound of my Viper 2.0 - actually considering changing it to something else. I do hear it with the cabinet shut.

Would the difference be you might run the 3.0 on a lower flow rate? What have you set it at?

Beck · Mar 2, 2021

PinkReef said:
So, I'm not too happy about the sound of my Viper 2.0 - actually considering changing it to something else. I do hear it with the cabinet shut.

Would the difference be you might run the 3.0 on a lower flow rate? What have you set it at?

Make sure your pump isn't touching anything in the sump, and it's on rubber feet. If you're still not happy with the noise I'm sure to 3.0 wouldn't be any quieter. To change the flow rate it just restricts the intake so it won't make it quieter.

Maybe look into a DC pump.

PinkReef · Mar 2, 2021

Beck said:
Make sure your pump isn't touching anything in the sump, and it's on rubber feet. If you're still not happy with the noise I'm sure to 3.0 wouldn't be any quieter. To change the flow rate it just restricts the intake so it won't make it quieter.

Maybe look into a DC pump.

yeah its not touching, its really the "running sound" (if i lift it up slightly so its suspended, its the same sound). i'm considering a DC pump - but unsure how much difference that will make without spending the $