Which pump is best?

[Reefrookie733]

Hey all,
For my 200G DT and 75G sump, I am thinking about getting a new pump to replace an older one (8'ish years old) before i start to cycle my tank just to be safe.

I am currently plumbed for and using an external Reeflo super dart gold pump. What is a good alternative? I would like to be able to connect it to my Apex system if that is possible too!?
Thanks!

 

[Plecosam]

Broad question, I dont believe in the best, best can be personal.

What about the Neptune pump.

 

[Reefrookie733]

Broad question, I dont believe in the best, best can be personal.

What about the Neptune pump.

Good point! I guess i mean what is a quality standard that would compare and be similar to the Reeflo's? They tend to be pretty pricey

 

[Plecosam]

From my own experience, Red Dragon are extremely good, they are very quiet, top quality and low maintenance. Possibly Abyzz would be on par if not better but both of those brands are pricey, I cannot speak for brands I have not owned.

I have at home Sicce, Nyos, Eheim, Red Dragon, Vectra and Jebao. In my opinion anyone who says AC pumps are dead silent must have hearing issues. I can hear my Sicce and Nyos pumps from 8 metres away, they are not loud but dead silent definitely not. Jebao also make noise when run above 60%, Vectra are very quiet but not Red Dragon quiet.

As far as quality, Jebao are at the bottom, I have had multiple failures, Sicce and Eheim seem almost bullet proof and Vectra for me is too early tell. Vectra does ooze quality though, not quite a Dragon but quality none the less.

Of course except for noise these are my opinions, sorry if I offend those who say their pump is dead silent but the reality is no pump is silent. I can hear my Dragon pump but from about 1metre it gets very difficult, it is running underwater, out of water could be different.

It depends on what you want, and what you consider to be important, I mean silence, bullet proof, and ease of maintenance, these are all considerations. If I was in the market for a pump though I think I would go either Neptune or Reef Octopus.

 

[Reefrookie733]

From my own experience, Red Dragon are extremely good, they are very quiet, top quality and low maintenance. Possibly Abyzz would be on par if not better but both of those brands are pricey, I cannot speak for brands I have not owned.

I have at home Sicce, Nyos, Eheim, Red Dragon, Vectra and Jebao. In my opinion anyone who says AC pumps are dead silent must have hearing issues. I can hear my Sicce and Nyos pumps from 8 metres away, they are not loud but dead silent definitely not. Jebao also make noise when run above 60%, Vectra are very quiet but not Red Dragon quiet.

As far as quality, Jebao are at the bottom, I have had multiple failures, Sicce and Eheim seem almost bullet proof and Vectra for me is too early tell. Vectra does ooze quality though, not quite a Dragon but quality none the less.

Of course except for noise these are my opinions, sorry if I offend those who say their pump is dead silent but the reality is no pump is silent. I can hear my Dragon pump but from about 1metre it gets very difficult, it is running underwater, out of water could be different.

It depends on what you want, and what you consider to be important, I mean silence, bullet proof, and ease of maintenance, these are all considerations. If I was in the market for a pump though I think I would go either Neptune or Reef Octopus.

Thanks for that info! It really helps alot!

 

[Plecosam]

Good point! I guess i mean what is a quality standard that would compare and be similar to the Reeflo's? They tend to be pretty pricey

Sorry I am unfamiliar with Reeflo, they look to be an external semi industrial magflo.

 

[CaptRob]

I am running a Vectra L2 on my 180 and I feel it is awesome. I would not hesitate to buy another one.

 

[Plecosam]

I am liking my S2 so far.

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

There is someone on this site that is selling Dolphin pumps, just like a Reef Flo so plumbing should be easy and they are pretty cheap, and look brand new.

 

[S.Pepper]

Reef Octopus doesn't get as much luv as they should. One of the most solid return pumps on the market... especially for the price. I wouldn't hesitate to consider going with a RO Varios 8 for your system. These pumps just run and run and r virtually silent. gl

 

[Reefrookie733]

There is someone on this site that is selling Dolphin pumps, just like a Reef Flo so plumbing should be easy and they are pretty cheap, and look brand new.

Will have to look up dolphin pumps...never heard of them

 

[Phil D.]

I too have the Vectra S2, to me it IS dead silent. I have to put my head into my stand in order to hear it.

 

[X-37B]

I like Tunze pumps but its like asking what acro is the best. Whatever you end up purchasing get "2". One for backup.

 

[Plecosam]

I too have the Vectra S2, to me it IS dead silent. I have to put my head into my stand in order to hear it.

If you can hear it, how can it be dead silent?

I can hear mine, it's super quiet though, I can hear it from 2 meters away. More than quiet enough, no problem in a bedroom quiet but not silent.

 

[Phil D.]

If you can hear it, how can it be dead silent?

I can hear mine, it's super quiet though, I can hear it from 2 meters away. More than quiet enough, no problem in a bedroom quiet but not silent.

Well, as I said, inside you can barely hear it, outside can't hear it.

 

[ilikebigfish]

Will have to look up dolphin pumps...never heard of them

Dolphin is a workhorse and I have a 20 year old Dolphin Amp Master that is just now about to be replaced and a five year old Diamond Amp Master. We had Reeflo that kept leaking seals where the man argued they were heavy duty silicon carbide seals when they were actually garbage that left a carbon trail when you rubbed it against paper. I have a thing for needing to rely on good information and customer service. Dolphin Pumps also seem to underrate their pump curves as I needed to dial back mine.
RE: Pool pumps - Made with different materials that may not be hospitable to saltwater reef environments. Perhaps ok for pond systems?
Per Marine Depo: " An external aquarium water pump has many advantages over a submersible pump and one disadvantage. Although harder to setup, an external pump often offers more flow, higher pressure, and transfers less heat into the fish tank. An external pump is often a necessary component of large fish tanks. "
Never heard of Neptune.
I'll have to look some of the others up, too.