Return Pump Suggestions

[Will Perry]

Hey guys,

I have a 42 gallon Oceanic Hexagon that I recently aquired. I am going to be doing a build thread, so keep an eye out for that!

So, I have a return pump, but it is rated at 950 gph. This is going to be waaay too much, I know. I am looking for something more in the 400 gph range, but I have been out of the hobby for a while and I don't know which brands to look for of if this is even the right gph for this tank. I am looking for suggestions!

I am eyeing this guy:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Aqueon...-Pump-AQ2300-/152708842421?afsrc=1&rmvSB=true

But, I don't want to commit to this pump if there is something more worthwhile out there.

Oh, and it might be good to mention that I have a 20 gallon (water volume) or so sump that I will be using to hold my protein skimmer and other odds and ends.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Mikedawg]

I've always like Sicce pumps; very quiet, powerful for their size and flow volume is readily adjustable. BRS, Marine Depot, Drs. F&S, Amazon, etc. sell them.

 

[rkpetersen]

I agree, Sicce pumps are super, and so quiet.

May be more than you need, but I'm becoming a big fan of the VarioS line of controllable DC pumps. Lots of features and extras, low power usage and quiet. The smallest is the VarioS 2, with rated output of 700 gph or so; depending on your plumbing, this might be reasonable for your tank/sump size.

 

[gcarroll]

I think a Tunze 1073.020 would be a great choice. It will get you right in the ballpark of the flow you are looking for. If you wand something that is more tunable and dc consider the Tunze 1073.050. Although the Sicce is essentially the same pump, Tunze seems to be a bit quieter with less vibration. I suspect that they do a better job of balancing the rotor and the impeller.

 

[jda]

Which 950G pump do you have? Some might be near 400 gph after the head loss, pipe friction and a few elbows.

That Aqueon pump will not be able to pump what you want at that head.

Tunze are great pumps. Ehiem make great pumps in this range as well. You can buy either of these for a decade of use.

 

[Will Perry]

Which 950G pump do you have? Some might be near 400 gph after the head loss, pipe friction and a few elbows.

That Aqueon pump will not be able to pump what you want at that head.

Tunze are great pumps. Ehiem make great pumps in this range as well. You can buy either of these for a decade of use.

Danner 02720 Pond Mag 9.5 950 GPH Pump

This is the pump I currently own. Sorry for the weird format, copy/paste from ebay did something funky.

 

[jda]

Ok, that is a serious pump... probably around 700 GPH after head and stuff. That is a great one to keep and use to change water with.

Tunze or Ehiem are my suggestions, then. Be sure and look at a head chart and shoot for 500 gph at your head... then you will lose another 100 with a few elbows and some pipe friction.

 

[Jimbo662]

I agree, Sicce pumps are super, and so quiet.

May be more than you need, but I'm becoming a big fan of the VarioS line of controllable DC pumps. Lots of features and extras, low power usage and quiet. The smallest is the VarioS 2, with rated output of 700 gph or so; depending on your plumbing, this might be reasonable for your tank/sump size.

I've switched over to the R.O. Varios pumps also. They're dead silent.

 

[rushbattle]

I've switched over to the R.O. Varios pumps also. They're dead silent.

Same here. Only pumps I’ll use now, including skimmer pumps.

 

[jda]

How long have you all had the VarioS? Anybody past three years yet? I had an older generation of their DC pumps need replaced 2x in the first year - Corallife was really good about it and sent replacements very fast. I might give them a look when people are past three/five years with no issue.

 

[mfinn]

Hey guys,

I have a 42 gallon Oceanic Hexagon that I recently aquired. I am going to be doing a build thread, so keep an eye out for that!

So, I have a return pump, but it is rated at 950 gph. This is going to be waaay too much, I know. I am looking for something more in the 400 gph range, but I have been out of the hobby for a while and I don't know which brands to look for of if this is even the right gph for this tank. I am looking for suggestions!

I am eyeing this guy:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Aqueon...-Pump-AQ2300-/152708842421?afsrc=1&rmvSB=true

But, I don't want to commit to this pump if there is something more worthwhile out there.

Oh, and it might be good to mention that I have a 20 gallon (water volume) or so sump that I will be using to hold my protein skimmer and other odds and ends.

Thanks in advance!

I really like Sicce Syncra Silent, Tunze, and Eheim.
For a 42 gallon tank, I would look for a pump that gives you 200 gph to 250 gph after head loss.

 

[rushbattle]

How long have you all had the VarioS? Anybody past three years yet? I had an older generation of their DC pumps need replaced 2x in the first year - Corallife was really good about it and sent replacements very fast. I might give them a look when people are past three/five years with no issue.

I don’t think they’ve been out that long. I have a varios-8 running since last January without any maintenance. Still absolutely silent.

 

[Will Perry]

Ok, that is a serious pump... probably around 700 GPH after head and stuff. That is a great one to keep and use to change water with.

Tunze or Ehiem are my suggestions, then. Be sure and look at a head chart and shoot for 500 gph at your head... then you will lose another 100 with a few elbows and some pipe friction.

Where can I find a head chart? That's the one problem I'm finding.

 

[Will Perry]

I really like Sicce Syncra Silent, Tunze, and Eheim.
For a 42 gallon tank, I would look for a pump that gives you 200 gph to 250 gph after head loss.

So, everyone keeps talking about "head loss" and while I understand the concept, I am at a definite loss when it comes to figuring out the gph I need on a basic return pump to get the power I need. So... where do I start on this one? Also, the varios looks a little outside my budget for now. I'm pretty tight financially right now and still trying to setup a tank. LOL. I still have to buy a light, lumber, return pump, plumbing supplies, a drill, etc. The list never ends, right?

 

[mfinn]

So, everyone keeps talking about "head loss" and while I understand the concept, I am at a definite loss when it comes to figuring out the gph I need on a basic return pump to get the power I need. So... where do I start on this one? Also, the varios looks a little outside my budget for now. I'm pretty tight financially right now and still trying to setup a tank. LOL. I still have to buy a light, lumber, return pump, plumbing supplies, a drill, etc. The list never ends, right?

Many or most of the bigger pump manufactures post the headloss figures on the box or in the literature in the box, or on their websites. Many vendors like BRS, Marine Depot, etc. publish those lists that are provided by the companies. Once you have the height of the run you have you compare it to the charts, then add in fittings, including valves.
One thing to remember is if you buy a discount piece of equipment, it can very often lead to buying replacement equipment sooner rather than later.
Even if it delays the start of your build, IMO it's better to spend the extra money now.
If I were you I would choose a couple different pumps, then scour the internet ( and local fish stores ) for the best deal.
Some equipment you need is covered by map pricing, so you won't get a deal on the internet, ( check local fish stores for deals on this) but you won't get gouged either.

 

[Will Perry]

So, I have been looking through random equipment that I have lying around in boxes... and I just found THIS pump:

https://www.amazon.com/Rio-Plus-1700-Aqua-Pump/dp/B000LSVAI2

I think it may work. Opinions??

 

[Neo Jeo]

I love my R.O. Varios 4. Cant hear it even if your ear is right on it lol... Best pump

 

[Will Perry]

So, I have been looking through random equipment that I have lying around in boxes... and I just found THIS pump:

https://www.amazon.com/Rio-Plus-1700-Aqua-Pump/dp/B000LSVAI2

I think it may work. Opinions??

Actually, going by what Fin was saying... this should give me around 250-300 GPH at 5ft head loss. I think this may actually work!

 

[Will Perry]

So, I think I am going to use the pump I have here to start since I already own it... But, I definitely want to check out Sicce, Tunze, and Varios later down the road!