Return pump

Sobo's Reef · Sep 15, 2017

I'm in the process of setting up my DB 57 rimless tank and I'm wondering what people are using as a return pump?? I'm having a custom sump built for it measuring 32x15x15 and I was looking at the jebao Dcs pumps but not sure which model to go with... anyone care to share what they're using for theirs??? Thanks!!!

mfinn · Sep 15, 2017

Jebao's have a reputation for being unreliable.
Checkout Sicce or Tunze for ac and Vectra S1 or VarioS-2 for dc.

Sobo's Reef · Sep 15, 2017

mfinn said:
Jebao's have a reputation for being unreliable.
Checkout Sicce or Tunze for ac and Vectra S1 or VarioS-2 for dc.

Will do! Thank you!

mfinn · Sep 15, 2017

Sobo's Reef said:
Will do! Thank you!

Eheim is another solid performer.

mjt82 · Sep 15, 2017

I'm using a Reef Octopus Varios on my current build, and I absolutely love it. It's very quiet, and very powerful... Definitely the best return pump I have owned. I'm a huge fan of Reef Octopus stuff.

mjt82 · Sep 15, 2017

I'll add this: I've learned my lesson with using cheap equipment... In this hobby, you definitely pay for what you get. It's worth waiting, saving up if necessary, to buy a nicer piece of equipment rather than going with cheap. It saves you tons of trouble in the long run! This is coming from a guy who started keeping saltwater on the cheap, buying cheap equipment and complaining about how unreliable it was, or replacing it when it broke!

Just my $0.02.

Sobo's Reef · Sep 16, 2017

I wanna get the Vectra S1 but I can't justify spending $275 on a return pump

Water Dog · Sep 16, 2017

I got the DC Tunze 1073.05

peder · Sep 17, 2017

Water Dog said:
I got the DC Tunze 1073.05

Is it silence?

Mrx7899 · Sep 17, 2017

I'm running a Reef Octopus Varios-2 on my 50 cube super quiet and comes with everything you need to hook it up plus a safety float switch

Water Dog · Sep 17, 2017

peder said:
Is it silence?

Yup, it's super quiet as well.

MasterAlgaeGrower · Sep 17, 2017

I run the vectra M1 on my 75 gallon. I would recommend the ecotech S1. It has been rock solid and completely silent. I've also read allot of good things about the reef octopus DC return pumps.

MasterAlgaeGrower · Sep 17, 2017

I run the vectra M1 on my 75 gallon. I would recommend the ecotech S1. It has been rock solid and completely silent. I've also read allot of good things about the reef octopus DC return pumps.

andrew james · Sep 17, 2017

Instead of the Ecotech you could always buy 5 Jebao DCP 5000 incase one breaks. I have 2 jebao return pumps one of them has been running constantly for 3 years now with only a bi monthly cleaning. The other has only been in service about a year but have not issues. I also own 8 problem free Jebao powerheads. You get what you pay for in this case you can get 5 really good pumps instead of one slightly better pump.

mjt82 · Sep 17, 2017

andrew james said:
Instead of the Ecotech you could always buy 5 Jebao DCP 5000 incase one breaks. I have 2 jebao return pumps one of them has been running constantly for 3 years now with only a bi monthly cleaning. The other has only been in service about a year but have not issues. I also own 8 problem free Jebao powerheads. You get what you pay for in this case you can get 5 really good pumps instead of one slightly better pump.

I beg to differ on the "slightly better" description of the Vectra or the Varios... "Significantly better" is more like it. But, that's just my opinion!

andrew james · Sep 17, 2017

Why is the vectra better?does it make the water taste better? what makes it better to you? Customer service is better obviously but if I can buy 5 pumps for the price of one I can do my own customer service. And they sell jebaos on amazon now so free 30 money back guarantee.

andrew james · Sep 17, 2017

Double post from phone

mjt82 · Sep 17, 2017

andrew james said:
Why is the vectra better?does it make the water taste better? what makes it better to you? Customer service is better obviously but if I can buy 5 pumps for the price of one I can do my own customer service. And they sell jebaos on amazon now so free 30 money back guarantee.

I can't speak to the Vectra, because I've never owned one, but I do own a Varios, and I also own (currently) Jebao equipment, so I can make a first-hand comparison.

I'm not sure that there is any amount of testimony that would sway your opinion, but I'll bite...

What makes it better to me? Well, you're right about the customer service, for one. Also, the quality of the components and parts that are used in the Jebao pumps are cheap and cheaply made, hence the price. In this hobby you pay for what you get. Why buy five when you can buy one and be done? I understand that you can just easily swap them out when one fails, but what happens when the failure occurs while you're out of town on vacation? There's peace of mind in being reassured by the quality of the equipment supporting your tank.

Just my opinion! But, it's also the opinion of hobbyists with MUCH nicer reefs than mine, supporting much more expensive fish and corals than mine, doing this thing for a much longer period of time than I have.

[emoji482]

andrew james · Sep 17, 2017

I actually have all three pumps running right now and when it comes to return pumps you better have a backup no matter what brand it is. Vectra fail, a lot. Mine has failed and I was out a pump for 6 days while ecotech RMA'd it. Ecotech has good customer service but those pumps fail all the time. The Varios on the otherhand is an exceptional and complete package in my opinion. Not sure how often they fail but I love the 0-10v compatibility and included float sensors and mount. I still wouldn't own one without a backup.

DSC reef · Sep 17, 2017

I'd check out the current eflux DC return. I'm running the 1900 gph on my 75 gallon reef. It's definitely worth a look. It's been a solid performer for a year now and dead silent. Just did it's first cleaning too. I'm really impressed with it. I agree with the above post, have a back up no matter what. Just because it says ecotech or reef octopus doesnt mean its a translation meaning it wont fail.....