What is the best return pump

[Tony NICOLL]

Setting up a 300 gallon saltwater tank with sump in basement. This is going to cause 12 foot of head pressure. What is the best return pump to use??
Thanks

 

[Mark Bianco]

I am a big fan of Reeflo pumps. Moves a ton of water. With regular maintenance ie changing the seal yearly it will last a very long time.

 

[Livinlocal]

This is going to be a hard question for anybody to answer, and you will get mixed results.

Some more information would be helpful, starting with are you wanting a internal or external pump?

I love my reeflo gold dart external pump. They have different models that will suit almost anybody’s needs for a 300 gallon tank

And being that you have your sump in the basement, I would recommend external pump because typically they are going to be much larger and have a higher gallon per hour rate, and higher head pressure.

 

[Tony NICOLL]

This is going to be a hard question for anybody to answer, and you will get mixed results.

Some more information would be helpful, starting with are you wanting a internal or external pump?

I love my reeflo gold dart external pump. They have different models that will suit almost anybody’s needs for a 300 gallon tank

And being that you have your sump in the basement, I would recommend external pump because typically they are going to be much larger and have a higher gallon per hour rate, and higher head pressure.

Thank you I will look into them

 

[Potatohead]

Best? Abyzz A400

 

[ca1ore]

Haha, 'love' these best threads. Unfortunately there is no best, just a set of choices based on the things each of us prioritizes. So by best do you mean most flow per watt, least amount of flow lost to pressure, lowest maintenance, longevity, cost, controllability ....... and then what is your gph goal? For me, for example, the best pump is a panworld 200.

 

[Chukthunder]

Haha, 'love' these best threads. Unfortunately there is no best, just a set of choices based on the things each of us prioritizes. So by best do you mean most flow per watt, least amount of flow lost to pressure, lowest maintenance, longevity, cost, controllability ....... and then what is your gph goal? For me, for example, the best pump is a panworld 200.

How about a return pump recommendation for 50 gallon FOWLR utilizing a model one Aqueon ProFlex sump. Right now the tank holds my leftover live rock, decorative coral, a single firefish and minimal cleaning crew. It's a small sump and fitting a skimmer in will mean the return has to be external. I have the plumbing, sump, and Eshopps overflow kit already however want to choose a pump that will do the job for fish and later also be compatible if I advance it to a simple reef.

From what I've read so far quiet, dc, control, durability, and something closer to 500 gph than 250 are what I'm looking for suggestion towards.

Also, knowing what to avoid would be just as appreciated.