Return Pump

pumarjr · Sep 20, 2011

Hey Folks,
I'm tired of my Quiet One 4000 Return pump, I think it's kinda weak. I'm looking to buy a new return pump for my 40 Gal, 36" long tank. The pump must be in sump and if you had your choice of in sump return pumps, what would it be? Please have experience with your choice of return pump so that I can order appropriately. I'm ordering tomorrow so if possible, answers needed asap.

revhtree · Sep 20, 2011

What about a flowstar?

Devonjevon · Sep 20, 2011

I always love my Mag drive I have used quiet one and I don't think they are as quiet as the magdrive. Plus more head pressure.

pumarjr · Sep 21, 2011

for magdrive my buddy has like 5 brand new mag 12's laying around, i know it's was overpowered for my tank but i can just close the ball valve to regulate the pressure. Rev, i'm not sure I know of flowstar?

pumarjr · Sep 21, 2011

This pump has some power numbers for my small tank, no?

pumarjr · Sep 21, 2011

bump please, cmon guys, 500+ people online, 39 views, 2 reply's? Really?

Onedesign1 · Sep 21, 2011

I'm using a Rio+ 1400 on my 40B frag tank. FWIW....slow flow in the return and thru the sump let's the equipment do it's job. Use power heads to get flow in the tank itself. A couple koralia 750's do a nice job of it in that size tank.

Just my opinion.

luke33 · Sep 21, 2011

The mag 12 is to big, to much heat for a 40g imo. Get a maxijet utility pump, waterblaster, eheim, something like that. The laguna maxflo pump is an airstar, i just glue'd a piece of acrylic and rubber on the bottom and glue'd a union on the pump output. Same exact thing.

pumarjr · Sep 21, 2011

ok thx. I have an mp10es and I am running the loc line spray bar on both sides of my trapezoidal overflow. I was looking to increase the overall flow as I am not happy with this Quietone 4000, like I stated before, It does not even have enough power to keep a piece of felt stuck to the entrance.

butts182 · Sep 21, 2011

I have a Rio 2500 on my 40 breeder. Why Rio? Because it's cheap. I would like to get an Eheim 1260, but I didn't want to spend that kind of money on my return pump yet. My next choice would be a either a Mag 5 or Mag 7. Instead, I spend my $ on an MP40 to go along with my old MP20. All on my 40 breeder! Works well together.

pumarjr · Sep 21, 2011

MP40? you planning on using the current from the MP40 to hold your frag rack against the wall?

pumarjr · Sep 21, 2011

I'm not really worried about money, i'm more interested in reliable, performance and power. I want a unit that is very capable and willing to perform without worrying about if the pump came back on after a power outrage. So far i've seen the one Rev mentioned and another one called the red devil or something.

Phaquer · Sep 21, 2011

Rio 900 I've had it forever and it still works great

subielover · Sep 21, 2011

Get an eheim and call it a day.

KSzegi · Sep 21, 2011

I would give another vote for the eheim. I run one on my 90 as the return and use one for my chiller on my other tank. Both have been great pumps, low maintenance, always start, quiet, reliable.

Another one you might want to check into is the water blaster. I just got one for my new tank upgrade and am very impressed. I would've gone eheim but needed a much bigger pump - so far I love it. Quality build, cool running, aboslutely silent and moves a ton of water. I know they make smaller models too and they are rated pretty efficient.

Reef Breeders · Sep 21, 2011

Eheim compact plus, adjustable, silent, and small. I cant hear my eheim over the flow of water, and I have a durso standpipe raised to the top of the overflow.

Laborator · Sep 25, 2011

I have a Mag 7 on my 40 B just going thru water testing but it seems perfect for my Cadlights Artisan

melev · Sep 26, 2011

Those of you running Rio 2100 and 2500 pumps, please remove these as soon as possible. They are known tank killers. Google it. I've had both explode in trashcans mixing saltwater. I knew they were dangerous, but didn't worry about 33g of saltwater nor was I worried about using one to pump water into my reef during water changes.

The smoke, the sparks, the black oily stuff in the barrel afterwards .... it wasn't fun but I was able to clean it up. My reef was safe because I never used it in the system as a return or skimmer pump.

For this small tank, the Eheim pump is a good choice. An alternative would be the Maxijet Utility line of pumps, which come with a three year warranty from Marineland.
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