Best return pumps in the industry: Who gets your vote?

[Grey Guy]

Iwaki's are a little more costly to run, but they tend to last for more then 10 years and can put out a lot of pressure. They are top of the line.

 

[Ryan@ShelteredReef]

Sicce and Jebao here. Sicce for known reliability and longevity. Jebao DC pumps are just so enticing coming in at around $100 for the largest in their line. I ran one on my personal tank for 6 years before it failed. For never having been cleaned, it ran quiet for the entire span after the break in period.

 

[Drauka99]

Eheim for small medium tanks.

 

[Hitman]

Sicce Syncra SDC 9.0 hands down.
https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/syncra-sdc-9-0-controllable-pump-1000-2500-gph-sicce.html

 

[litenyaup]

When I started my system in 2010 I was running an iwaki. It had a lot of power and never let me down. I am now revamping everything under the tank and am going to try the vectra L1 simply because of noise and power consumption. While the iwaki seemed to be bullet proof it was a bit noisy and am sure was not the best on power usage.

 

[Rob77]

I am using a Vectra for my frag tank to the main sump and an Abyzz for my main tank plumbing.

haha I will take one of those abyzz pumps if you got an extra to shoot my way!

 

[Rjramos]

I will say, IMHO, any external pump will require less maintenance than any internal pump. With that said, if I have the space outside the sump my choice is and has been, mentioned once above, a Blueline. They say they were designed by a former Iwaki engineer. They cost much less than the Iwaki. Now, I've seen a similar yellow pump sold as Pan World, does anyone know if this is the same pump different name? Always wondered.[emoji848]

 

[Crabs McJones]

Eheim gets my vote

 

[mfinn]

Just just jumped on the Red Dragon 3 pumps bandwagon. So that has to be my vote.

I used a Vectra M1 that ran flawlessly for over a year before the switch.

 

[outeastreefer]

Reeflo for larger tanks with sumps in the basement.

 

[CodyRVA]

Jebao: cost effective and reliable

 

[ZJedi945]

I am going to say the vectras hands down BUT at the same time I can not discount the Jebao/Jecod pumps. For the price they are amazing!

 

[kingb4c0]

When you have pumps running 24/7 for over 10 years non stop, all new technology has a long way before start to be called reliable: Eheim has my vote.

 

[JaimeAdams]

I bet if more people could afford the Abyzz it would be getting more votes. Has anyone ever had one fail?

I think for pure workhorse it would go to Iwaki

 

[saltyhog]

I'm currently running a Vectra and love it but all I really need in a return pump is off/on/reliability/quiet. My Sicce Syncra did all those (although not quite as quiet as the Vectra). I'm very pleased with the Vectra and glad I bought it but if it ever fails I'll probably go back with the Sicce.

 

[mbmax]

Still loving my L1 after a year. Hopefully it lives up to the Vortechs in terms of longevity.

Totally agree .

 

[iemsparticus]

I'm a fan of my Vectra M1... gives me plenty of flow through the sump as well as being able to power my external Skimmer via a manifold. And it runs 100% silent.

 

[Fritzhamer]

Dollar for dollar I have to say Jebao.

 

[scardall]

External pumps are the best way to go. I have a Gen-X (PCX-40) that is 17+ years old.

 

[Rob77]

Jebao: cost effective and reliable

just have a couple in case