Hey guys I want to upgrade my return pump does anyone have any recommendations. I have a cheap one in there right now. I have a 75 gallon tank with 5 fish (2 clowns foxface tang and lawnmower blenny) but would like to purchase one that will not only work for this one but I also plan on upgrading my tank in about 6 months or so to a 180-220 somewhere around there so I’d like it work there as well if possible. Thanks for looking
Return pump
- Thread starter Tylerc33
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ScottieB
Active Member
That should give you a lot more options. I’m a big fan of 2-5x turnover through the sump but you can go as high as you like. That should give you an idea of pump size, then include the head pressure (which is fairly low in this case).
A dc pump can have some more flexibility in terms of flow, turning it down for now then increasing it as you upgrade. There’s the more inexpensive jebao pumps going up to the vectra, reef octopus varios, the list goes on. Check the clearance section on BRS or the dry goods seller section on this forum. I imagine you should just go slightly larger then you think you need and dial it back to suit your needs.
A dc pump can have some more flexibility in terms of flow, turning it down for now then increasing it as you upgrade. There’s the more inexpensive jebao pumps going up to the vectra, reef octopus varios, the list goes on. Check the clearance section on BRS or the dry goods seller section on this forum. I imagine you should just go slightly larger then you think you need and dial it back to suit your needs.
X-37B
Fight The Good Fight
Big fan too!
I run about maybe 3x through my sump with a Tunze 1073.040.
System is 120 with 40 breeder no baffles. Have to throttle it back about 50%.
Could have used a smaller but its always nice to have more if you need it. Mine pumps 5' to tank return.
Buy a quality pump they are worth every penny imo.
My advice:
either go cheap with something with no warranty (Jebao), or buy something that has a 5 year warranty (Tunze, Sicce, etc).
Personally, I think a 1 year warranty on a return pump (Ecotech, Apex, etc) is insufficient given the price.
either go cheap with something with no warranty (Jebao), or buy something that has a 5 year warranty (Tunze, Sicce, etc).
Personally, I think a 1 year warranty on a return pump (Ecotech, Apex, etc) is insufficient given the price.
X-37B
Fight The Good Fight
If you go cheap get a couple. I run 2 jebao ow 25 and 2 tunze 6095 on my 120. Have 2 backup of Tunze whenever the jebao's die. Have a couple extra jebaos too.
They are powerheads and 2 J's cost $100. 2 T's cost $450.
Want to see how long the J,s last.
Such is the hobby. Imo I would not go cheap on the life blood of your system.
However the choice is yours.
I would recommend the varios. I have a various 6 for my 65 gallon and it’s running my return / manifold. I also bought one for my skimmer. The manifold has a carbon reactor, a line to my fuge as well as flow to my tank and is only level 2/5. Highly recommend and very quiet!
don_chuwish
Smells something fishy
Reef Octo Varios-8 or Sicce Syncra SDC 9.0 would be good choices. Turn'em way down for now, but up to 2700 2500gph for later.
