What's the difference

[Wolf89]

Besides controllability, what is the difference between the $20-60 powerheads and return pumps in Amazon and those $500-600 ones everyone recommends?

 

[Ranjib]

Longevity and flow rate

 

[SoggyNW]

Yup I cheaper out on a $20 "500gph" return pump on Amazon. Maybe it moves that much when it's submerged with no plumbing attached but when it has to pump water 3' up to my tank it drops to maybe 100gph.

Guess who has to buy a second pump.

 

[flchamp89]

There's not doubt the MP heads are top shelf. There's also no doubt I can buy a lot of Jebao heads for the same price lol. All about how deep the pockets are lol

 

[cracker]

Agreed ! How fat is the wallet . I buy mid range stuff . Now I have a pricey/dependable return pump but inexpensive wave makers.

 

[TvanB1]

I made the mistake of buying knock off amazon return pumps and power heads when I first started.
Paid for it when it shocked me into the next dimension.
Do yourself a favor and buy trusted equipment.
Doesn’t have to be anything super fancy. I ran jebao for a few years with very little problems. As with any equipment, they do require regular maintenance to keep them going long term.

 

[MnFish1]

I have had a lot (A LOT) of problems with electricity leakage - with the cheaper powerhead - even sometimes after a couple months. Also the controllability of the more expensive versions....?

 

[lapin]

Some power heads have a cord in the tank.
Some convert 120 to DC . Usually the more expensive ones.
Others are 120V and that cord is in your tank. The cord seals usually fail in a short period of time. Not good.
Return pumps are a hit or miss on the cheap side. Jebao's - people have pretty good luck with them.
Usually the cheaper ones do not last as long as more expensive ones. Cheaper bearing and seals. They can make more noise. They also can generate more heat and require cleaning more often because of design flaws.

 

[Michael Gilbreath]

I had problems with name brands and cheap ones alike so I guess it depends on the person and there budget the most.

 

[Dpate]

For me it comes down to controllability. Also,my favorite reef keeping saying..... “buy cheap,buy twice”

 

[Peace River]

Besides controllability, what is the difference between the $20-60 powerheads and return pumps in Amazon and those $500-600 ones everyone recommends?

Reliability is a big things for both return pumps and power heads. In fact, I had an electrical leakage issue this weekend from a bargain power heads (no losses but I wasn't pleased). Noise, flow adjustability, and spread are additional benefits of better power heads.

For AC-powered return pumps I have had very good luck with Danner mag pond pumps for around $100 or a little more based on GPH (I currently use them on multiple tanks and they have lasted a long time). That said, the ability to control a DC-powered pump by reducing power instead of restricting the outbound flow of an AC pump would be nice.

If a vendor (e.g., Jabao, Sicce, Innovative Marine, EcoTech, etc.) would like to send me a better pump for evaluation and a related write-up then they can PM me directly and I will gladly reconsider my opinion. ;Happy