Return Pump Selection – SCA 120g system

[Jim Gomoll]

In the planning stage for new SCA 120 Gallon Starfire Tank Drilled for 16" Synergy Shadow Overflow 48x24x24

Will roughly be a 100g display with a with DIY 40g breeder sump under tank. Dual ¾ return lines with a manifold for future use.

Recommendation from the following list or anything else?
Possibly two pump dual setup?

Innovative Marine - MightyJet XL DC Return Pump (2656 GPH) $275
Sicce - Syncra SDC 6.0 WiFi Controllable Pump (530-1450 GPH) $350
EcoTech Marine - Vectra S2 - Mobius Ready DC Return Pump (1400 GPH) $350
Reef Octopus - VarioS-6 Controllable DC Pump (1720 GPH) $375

 

[blaxsun]

I would opt for the Sicce SDC 7.0 - since your system volume will be closer to 140-160 gallons (I run a Sicce SDC 9.0 on my 200-gallon system). WiFi, IOTA compatibility with Neptune, temperature monitoring and a 5-year warranty. Worth every penny.

 

[Tcook]

I run two Cor 20s on my 120. They work well. I have had to replace the power brick on one of them. Easy to get replaced since I have the other one running. Probably best to have a backup of the power brick on hand. I don’t know if people have to do the same with the sicce pumps.

 

[blaxsun]

I run two Cor 20s on my 120. They work well. I have had to replace the power brick on one of them. Easy to get replaced since I have the other one running. Probably best to have a backup of the power brick on hand. I don’t know if people have to do the same with the sicce pumps.

Sicce is a really solid pump - the power supplies are actually very reliable.

 

[afrokobe]

if you want to save some money, I love jebao returns. Never had any issues with them and they have been great for the last 2 years.



I run the 3500 on my 60g.

 

[SPS2020]

I'm a fan of overkill, especially with a manifold with potential future use. I'd probably go with two M2's. Heck, I'm looking at an L2 for my IM 100 (with manifold)...and that is downsizing.

 

[CubsFan]

if you want to save some money, I love jebao returns. Never had any issues with them and they have been great for the last 2 years.



I run the 3500 on my 60g.

Just picked up the dcw6000. Installed it today. Totally silent so far. Running it on my 40 breeder at 50%. Replaced an old tunze silence that ran around 800 gph.

 

[Doctorgori]

I run two Cor 20s on my 120. They work well. I have had to replace the power brick on one of them. Easy to get replaced since I have the other one running. Probably best to have a backup of the power brick on hand. I don’t know if people have to do the same with the sicce pumps.

I own 3 COR and 2 Sicce and 3 Jeboa’s …
- I wouldn’t trust a 300 gall “wall-2-wall SPS” with a single Jeboa, but maybe 2?
- COR power bricks got a 33% fail rate (1 of 3 went bad) …Neptune support is solid tho and those COR’s blast!
- +1 on the Sicce’s …gets my nod

 

[Tcook]

I own 3 COR and 2 Sicce and 3 Jeboa’s …
- I wouldn’t trust a 300 gall “wall-2-wall SPS” with a single Jeboa, but maybe 2?
- COR power bricks got a 33% fail rate (1 of 3 went bad) …Neptune support is solid tho and those COR’s blast!
- +1 on the Sicce’s …gets my nod

I agree with this. I think I even got a brick the next day after talking to neptune on Sunday!

 

[Jim Gomoll]

Was heavily leaning toward a Sicce SDC 6.0 (530-1450 GPH) $350, but going with a dual pump set up.

Seen feedback of guys running a Jebao DCP-4000 to 10000 on a 120g tank so the right size is all over the place.

After watching a Reef Dork video on his dual pump set up with 2) 5000 (1450 GPH), suggesting 2 smaller 3500 (925gph) I figure planning ahead for a manifold I’ll split the difference and go with 2) Jaeao - DCP-4000 (1060 GPH) $75ea. $150
Aware there is a little more plumbing but with an extra $200 I can cover that and manifold.

 

[KStatefan]

I have been happy with my Sicce pumps on my 100 gallon system I am running dual pumps on SDC 7.0 and an ADV 5.0.

 

[Jim Gomoll]

I have been happy with my Sicce pumps on my 100 gallon system I am running dual pumps on SDC 7.0 and an ADV 5.0.

So your dual set up is (7.0) 1900gph and (5.0) 1450gph? Plumbed together or two return lines?

 

[KStatefan]

So your dual set up is (7.0) 1900gph and (5.0) 1450gph? Plumbed together or two return lines?

Two return lines. I would not plumb two pumps together.

Those GPH numbers are at zero head which is not a practical number.

 

[jda]

Any DC pump needs a backup. For a backup, just get a used Sicce or Tunze AC pump used on eBay for $60 and use it to mix water or other utilitarian things until you might need it. Heck, even some AC pumps need backups.

You don't need dual return pumps. If you want them, have each on different electrical circuits. You can do the same thing by having the flow pumps in your tank on one circuit and the return pump on another.

 

[SPS2020]

Any DC pump needs a backup. For a backup, just get a used Sicce or Tunze AC pump used on eBay for $60 and use it to mix water or other utilitarian things until you might need it. Heck, even some AC pumps need backups.

You don't need dual return pumps. If you want them, have each on different electrical circuits. You can do the same thing by having the flow pumps in your tank on one circuit and the return pump on another.

+1 on the backup suggestion.

I have an exact duplicate new return pump on hand when the one in the sump goes bad.

 

[jda]

The only downside of having an exact duplicate is that your warranty expires while it is on the shelf - this can suck if you are paying a lot of money for a pump. Small price to pay for the safety of the corals and fish. This was a big issue when the early DC pumps were failing left and right with board and electronic issues - folks had a backup, but they knew that pump was trash too.

This is why I recommend cheap AC pump that others have discarded. They are reliable, cheap and have many uses.

In any case, backups are a good idea.

If you do not need apps and wifi and stuff, there are AC pumps that will last decades that are cheaper than DC pumps. They take very little wattage if you pick the right ones - flow pumps with impellers like the DC models.

I just saw the future use manifold sentence. I strongly suggest that you do not run a manifold off of the return pump. Manifolds in general are suspect. They are just too tricky with pressure and flow from all of the other outlets that they are nearly impossible to dial in and you have to do it all again if take something offline. If you want a manifold, then run one on a separate pump, at least.

 

[Jim Gomoll]

The only downside of having an exact duplicate is that your warranty expires while it is on the shelf - this can suck if you are paying a lot of money for a pump. Small price to pay for the safety of the corals and fish. This was a big issue when the early DC pumps were failing left and right with board and electronic issues - folks had a backup, but they knew that pump was trash too.

This is why I recommend cheap AC pump that others have discarded. They are reliable, cheap and have many uses.

In any case, backups are a good idea.

If you do not need apps and wifi and stuff, there are AC pumps that will last decades that are cheaper than DC pumps. They take very little wattage if you pick the right ones - flow pumps with impellers like the DC models.

I just saw the future use manifold sentence. I strongly suggest that you do not run a manifold off of the return pump. Manifolds in general are suspect. They are just too tricky with pressure and flow from all of the other outlets that they are nearly impossible to dial in and you have to do it all again if take something offline. If you want a manifold, then run one on a separate pump, at least.

Good call on not having manifold off return. Will get a pump down the road when I add one
From earlier posts noting to not connect two pumps together I'm going with two dedicated return lines. At least if one goes out there is still flow.
Now to decide between the DCP-4000 (1060gph) or DCP-5000 1450gph
Two separate ¾” return lines w Check valve, Ball valve, ~6’ minus 3)elbow, 2)45
120g SCA 48x24x24 tank
DYI sump - 40g Breeder
16″ Shadow Overflow V3 400-2400gph 1½ drains reduced to 1”

 

[jda]

Check valves fail over time, or at least they did - maybe the materials are better. Flapper valve used to work better. The silicone, rubber or whatever they put in there gets hard in saltwater over time.

Drill an anti-siphon hole at the top of your return line just in case.

 

[Tcook]

I don’t see any issues with running a manifold off the return. I have one pump setup as a straight return. The second one goes through the manifold to also feed the UV and chiller. Been doing this for decades.

 

[X-37B]

On my 120, and current 80/30, I run a Tunze 1073.040. It supplys returns to 2 tanks via ball valve.
Its been running 5+ Years. I also run the same pump on my 45g frag 60 Total, 3+ years.
Tunze pumps last a long time from my experience. I have 15+ year old powerheads still going strong.
Both systems run 40 breeder sumps.
1 pump split between the 2 returns would work well, imo.