Vectra vs Sicce Syncra Pro noise?

[TaylorPilot]

I am not so much worried about the AC vs DC thing, and I don't really care about being able to turn it down. I just want a reliable and SILENT return pump. I am looking to do around 1500 GPH after head pressure, so it would be the L or the Syncra Pro 1900 GPH. The Ecotech pump is twice the price, but if it is quieter then I think it is worth it. Like I said, could care less about the DC or any of its features, I just want the quietest pump that will put out about 1500-1800 GPH at about 6 feet of head.

What does everyone suggest?

 

[mfinn]

I have not used any of the Sicce pumps over the 5.0 so I'm not sure if they stay as quiet as the smaller ones. I would think that more flow in that design would mean more noise?
I do have a Vectra L1 and was really pleasantly surprised on how quiet it really is. It does make a small amount of noise, but I have to get within a couple feet to hear it. No 3000+ gph pump would ever be totally silent.
After plumbing it in and turning it on, I realized that the Eheim 1262 that I thought was very quiet made more noise at 900gph than the L1.
It was then I bought a M1 and replaced the Eheim.

 

[TaylorPilot]

That is a good comparison. I have the Eheim 1262 as the return on my 40B. It is the loudest part of my tank by far.

 

[mfinn]

That is a good comparison. I have the Eheim 1262 as the return on my 40B. It is the loudest part of my tank by far.

When they are fairly new they are pretty quiet, at least I thought they were.

 

[mfinn]

Looking at the flow graph you could get near that 1500gph at 5-6 feet of head with the M1.

 

[nervousmonkey]

I have them both and have to tell you that the decision is a tough one. I use Syncra pumps for all ancillary pumps, and have two Vectras for return pumps. Switched out a Vectra for a Syncra 5.0 which was still plenty of flow, and no more noisy. Actually I think it was quieter frankly... My opinion about the Syncra pumps is that if I don't want to hear a pump, like one for a BP reactor, or purigen reactor, etc., I always go with Sicce. I've never been bothered by them so I bet you would be fine with either one, in terms of noise, no difference...

 

[TaylorPilot]

Yea, I think I would want the L1. I have a friend who is using an M1 and he thought the flow wasn't very strong.

 

[TaylorPilot]

I have them both and have to tell you that the decision is a tough one. I use Syncra pumps for all ancillary pumps, and have two Vectras for return pumps. Switched out a Vectra for a Syncra 5.0 which was still plenty of flow, and no more noisy. Actually I think it was quieter frankly... My opinion about the Syncra pumps is that if I don't want to hear a pump, like one for a BP reactor, or purigen reactor, etc., I always go with Sicce. I've never been bothered by them so I bet you would be fine with either one, in terms of noise, no difference...

Well the Vectras are twice the price. LOL. I don't mind spending more for quality equipment, but I don't know if I would see any difference for the functions I want (quiet and works).

 

[TaylorPilot]

I think I will get the Vectra L1. I am building up the parts for a 210 I am putting together. I just finished the sump. LOL

 

[mcarroll]

Since it wasn't "better" I'm curious what made you pick the pump that was more than twice the price?

 

[TaylorPilot]

The flow curves. The Sicce at about 6 feet is only about 1100 GPH. In order to get more flow, I would have to step up to the HF 10 to get over 1500 GPH, and those aren't as quiet from what I have read. The Vectra L1 puts out the same flow as the HF 10 at about 6-7 feet. Plus, I think that it probably will be a tad quieter from the reviews I read.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

The Vectra is SUPER silent! That's all I know!

 

[TaylorPilot]

I'm sold, I'm sold! LOL They are just so expensive for a return pump!

 

[nervousmonkey]

Amen to that! But, they do everything as advertised and as rumours go, which is unusual in this hobby... I am glad I have Vectras running, it's sorta piece of mind as well. I would not hesitate for one second to swap it for a Syncra though, should the need arise.

 

[mfinn]

I'm sold, I'm sold! LOL They are just so expensive for a return pump!

They are expensive, but if that's what I have to pay for quiet, then I will ( did)

 

[mcarroll]

The flow curves.

Ah! So it wasn't more than twice the price – we were comparing apples to oranges!

Something like the Tunze Silence Pro @ $393 ($385 on a**z*n at this moment) would be a better comparison and a better deal....maybe even better than the similar Sicce. Unfortunately there's not a one-model-down from this as it's quite a bit more flow than you're asking for.

https://www.tunze.com/US/en/products/details.html?type=&user_tunzeprod_pi1[prodid]=1073.110

I'm not 100% sure if this is simply a rebranded Sicce or, like the Tunze Hydrofoamer, if there's actually more "Tunze" to it than that.

2¢

 

[TaylorPilot]

Yea, this would be closer to a good comparison at 5-7' of head. It is still $130 less, but I doubt will be as quiet. Plus if I decide to build a system with a closed loop later, I can use a few of the L1's to give some awesome random flow. I like to think of future uses on even bigger systems. Plus, the Vectras are the cool new pumps, and who doesn't want to be cool!!!

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/sicce-syncra-hf-10-0-pump-2500-gph.html

 

[mcarroll]

Unfortunately, I'd have to google around or ask @rvitko about the potential for noise...but from past conversations I think it's going to turn out to be Sicce-made, potentially with some enhanced design. I'd think this bodes well, for what that's worth. (And "what it's worth" appears to be about $130, eh?)

Nobody still builds a closed loop in 2016, do they? The cost per flow is as bad as you can possibly get - one step up from blowing bubbles in the water with a straw. That's definitely not cool!

If it's my only contribution to your reefing experience, please don't let the future prospect of L1 powered closed-loop systems be what determines your choice in return pumps!!!

 

[TaylorPilot]

LOL. My view on a closed loop is the same as MH. I think they can still provide the best functioning/looking end result and if you're building a large system, an extra $10-15 a month in added electricity cost is a no brainer. Besides, you can't really compare the flow calculations of a powerhead to the flow of a standard water pump. All that said, I would want a PVC bottom custom tank (so I could sleep after drilling allot of holes in it) that was atleast 36" deep or a larger rimless before I would consider one. My problem with closed loops was always the fact that you either ran them wide open all the time (no variation), or ran Oceanmotions that are notorious for needing to be cleaned. Plus, most of your larger flowing pumps were loud. Now these newer Ecotech pumps can be linked easily to ramp up and down, giving random flow. Also, never having to clean another powerhead. Priceless....

 

[mcarroll]

It's all much worse than that for closed loops.

Unless you already have a cut-up tank, I can't think of a single reason to recommend a closed loop in 2016. A bad way to permanently ruin a good tank.

Silencing the pump doesn't help.
Variable speed is neat-0 but, just like many in-tank circulation pumps, closed loops work fine without variable speed.

Those were not the problems.

(Plus twelve nozzles hanging all around the surface of the tank is about as hidden as an MP40 motor sticking out from a tank. Ha!)

But forget all that for the moment.

The real problem is the plumbing! One simple fact that you can't get around is that any plumbing induces massive losses to friction. Elbows are the worst - and closed-loops are rife with them. Unless you actually need to move water from Point A to Point B, plumbing is the wrong choice. To that point, the circulation pump was invented!

For example....

An L1 would only get you about 1500 GPH of actual flow into the tank when driven through a fairly typical CL setup. Only 3 GPH/$...even without anything to compare to, I can tell that's expensive flow!

I suspect it would actually be more, but let's say you need two of those pumps to drive your large tank. $900

• $900 will buy you almost five Tunze 6125's.
• <$800 will buy four 6125's. On a tide simulation they would rock all but the largest tanks.

Even if you want to "go extra" for a controllable option...

• a pair of Stream 6155's is only $850
• three 6105's is just over $850

The worst part is that I doubt a pair of L1's on a closed loop would be anywhere near as good as any of these pump combos.

Even assuming the flow rate was comparable (which I doubt), the lack of flexibility in the closed loop system is a deal breaker in the modern era. What do you do as your corals grow in and start causing dead spots - rebuild???

Ok, that was completely anti...

Closed loops were amazing in their day. Compared to the battalion of MaxiJet power heads that came before them, having a closed loop was really like being in the ocean!