Return pump suggestions (vetra vs sicce)

[Angryminer_07]

Didn’t get much action in the newbie forums so I thought I’d try my luck here.

I’m picking out the return pump for my reef set up (120 display, 40 ish sump and approx 4.5’ distance back up to the tank with 2 90’s in the return plumbing). Future goal for the tank would entail sps. Im looking for some confirmation that I’m on the right track with amount of flow as well as some head to head comparisons my two current choices.

Looking at the vectra M1 vs syncra silent 5.0.

Ideally, I’d like enough power to act as both a return plus power some future reactors, sterilizer, etc. Reliability and noise are more of a concern than price.

Id really appreciate any suggestions or other thoughts if you feel stronger about another brand or pump size.

 

[mcarroll]

IMO...

DC pumps are out for this function. I'm also more in the camp of using discreet pumps per application....so one for return, one for reactors, etc. UV or chillers are usually plumbed inline with your return.

Sicce's Syncra or Syncra Pro lines are awesome. Pro is the most quiet. (And the same as Quiet One pumps....another good option.) Eheim and Mag are good choices as well.

Seems like for a 120 the choices you came up with were overkill.

A Quiet One/Sicce Syncra Pro 4000 or Mag 9.5 would do the trick, but even the 3000 or 7 models would pull still be fine. A Syncra 5.0 would push almost twice what these options would, at much greater cost.

Mag's and Quiet One's both have excellent warranties on both the motor (5yr/3yr) and impeller (1yr/1yr)....pretty sure Sicce does as well.

Stick with a right-sized return pump and add another small pump later for another application if/when needed.

You'll save money in the short and long run. You'll have a simpler(=better) system in the short run, and you may discover that some of the things you're imagining that you'll need...you don't really need.

Again, IMO.

I hope this helps!

 

[mfinn]

I had a Vectra M1 for about a year and a half and I loved it. It was soo quiet, you could hardly tell it was running.
I sold it to a friend a year ago and it's still running for him.
Sicce is a really solid pump too.
I use a Sicce 3 on my 50 gallon tank. I can't hear it either.
I've heard the Sicce 5 is dependable too, but have heard people say it isn't totally silent.

 

[Angryminer_07]

IMO...

DC pumps are out for this function. I'm also more in the camp of using discreet pumps per application....so one for return, one for reactors, etc. UV or chillers are usually plumbed inline with your return.

Sicce's Syncra or Syncra Pro lines are awesome. Pro is the most quiet. (And the same as Quiet One pumps....another good option.) Eheim and Mag are good choices as well.

Seems like for a 120 the choices you came up with were overkill.

A Quiet One/Sicce Syncra Pro 4000 or Mag 9.5 would do the trick, but even the 3000 or 7 models would pull still be fine. A Syncra 5.0 would push almost twice what these options would, at much greater cost.

Mag's and Quiet One's both have excellent warranties on both the motor (5yr/3yr) and impeller (1yr/1yr)....pretty sure Sicce does as well.

Stick with a right-sized return pump and add another small pump later for another application if/when needed.

You'll save money in the short and long run. You'll have a simpler(=better) system in the short run, and you may discover that some of the things you're imagining that you'll need...you don't really need.

Again, IMO.

I hope this helps!

Great info. I understand my suggestions were a bit overkill which is why I’m asking before buying. My thinking was to have too much pump, dial it back for sound reasons and have extra power in reserve for manifold power if needed. I was considering a pump per reactor scenario but I’m afraid space will be at a premium in my stand. I wanted to make sure I have the extra power if needed. I’ll take a peak at the smaller sicce pro’s.

Any suggestions on a more reasonable gph ball park I should be looking at?

Thanks again!

 

[Gareth elliott]

Second the mag.
I have a mag 9.5 running my outdoor pond, in 15 years ive gone through only 2 of them and theirs a lot of debris that goes through the impeller in this application.

I have had to replace about every 3 years the impeller and the face plate. But this is a much harsher environment than a reef with tree branches and garbage and everything in between making its way into my pond on occasion.

 

[dragon99]

Give the new Sicce Syncra ADV pumps a look. They appear to be more power efficient that the Silent line.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/pump...e-aquarium-pumps/sicce-submersible-pumps.html

 

[mcarroll]

I was considering a pump per reactor scenario but I’m afraid space will be at a premium in my stand.

Plan for what you know you need. That's usually enough planning to break a person.

Worrying about what you "might need" is too much....cross bridges when you come to them.

Right-sized pumps take up less space on top of all the other benefits.

Check out the size ranges here for reference....fairly typical:

If you can get by with a 2.0, but opt for a 5.0, you're getting a much larger pump, leaving less space in the sump.

A thought on the reactor, consider this skimmer that has a mesh post-filter that you can use for any media:

DOC Skimmer 9410
Recommended for salt water aquariums up to 1,000 liters (265 USgal.). Immersion depth from 140 to 2... mehr

9410.000

329.99 USD

DOC Skimmer 9410 DC
Recommended for salt water aquariums up to 1,200 liters (317 US gal.). Immersion depth from 140 to ... mehr

9410.001

399.99 USD

That kills the need for one of your extra pumps.