Best sump return pumps?

[UncommonSense]

Assuming you don’t need any plumbing parts?

That ought to do it!

A drilled overflow box would be ideal, but drilling a tank is a bit of an endeavor for the uninitiated!

 

[cdemoss01]

Assuming you don’t need any plumbing parts?

That ought to do it!

A drilled overflow box would be ideal, but drilling a tank is a bit of an endeavor for the uninitiated!

Can't do drilling. My dad won't help. I wish I could drill trust me.
Are there any plumbing parts I should get while I make the order?

 

[UncommonSense]

Can't do drilling. My dad won't help. I wish I could drill trust me.
Are there any plumbing parts I should get while I make the order?

Probably, that will be very dependent on how you want to route everything!

You’d benefit from at least a single union on the drain plumbing, just so you can disconnect everything from the tank for service!

 

[cdemoss01]

Can't do drilling. My dad won't help. I wish I could drill trust me.
Are there any plumbing parts I should get while I make the order?

Probably, that will be very dependent on how you want to route everything!

You’d benefit from at least a single union on the drain plumbing, just so you can disconnect everything from the tank for service!

I'll get a union. 3/4 for return like you said right?

 

[UncommonSense]

I'll get a union. 3/4 for return like you said right?

Yup, that pump should run quite happily on 3/4” PVC!

if you want to get fancy, you can add a short length of flexible tubing between the pump and the rigid plumbing for vibration mitigation, but this can become a plumbing rabbit hole, so I’d mess with that down the road once you get this setup actually running!

 

[cdemoss01]

I'll get a union. 3/4 for return like you said right?

Yup, that pump should run quite happily on 3/4” PVC!

if you want to get fancy, you can add a short length of flexible tubing between the pump and the rigid plumbing for vibration mitigation, but this can become a plumbing rabbit hole, so I’d mess with that down the road once you get this setup actually running!

What type of union should I get? There's all these different types.

Would this work?

 

[UncommonSense]

What type of union should I get? There's all these different types.

Would this work?

No, that is a “check valve”; also known as a one-way valve!

These aren’t recommended, primarily because they will rapidly get their sealing surface covered in organic life, subsequently rendering them useless!

These are unions:

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/schedule-80-union-slip-x-slip.html
They come in white (schedule 40: cheaper, lower build quality) and (usually) grey (schedule 80, more expensive, usually last a lot longer without seizing up)

You can get them with pipe threads, sockets you cement pipe into, or a combo of both!

(You’ll find the white schedule 40 examples at your local hardware store, you can usually build your plumbing stuff right there in the aisle to wrap your head around it before making your purchase)

 

[cdemoss01]

What type of union should I get? There's all these different types.

Would this work?

No, that is a “check valve”; also known as a one-way valve!

These aren’t recommended, primarily because they will rapidly get their sealing surface covered in organic life, subsequently rendering them useless!

These are unions:

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/schedule-80-union-slip-x-slip.html
They come in white (schedule 40: cheaper, lower build quality) and (usually) grey (schedule 80, more expensive, usually last a lot longer without seizing up)

You can get them with pipe threads, sockets you cement pipe into, or a combo of both!

(You’ll find the white schedule 40 examples at your local hardware store, you can usually build your plumbing stuff right there in the aisle to wrap your head around it before making your purchase)

I'll look into those.
Is there anything else I should consider adding on.. I already have a skimmer.. how do I run media?

 

[UncommonSense]

how do I run media?

It depends on the media, each variety has do’s and don’ts!

I wouldn’t worry about any fancy media reactors right now… focus on the basics and the things that you will 100% be relying on to keep the tank operational, and the livestock healthy!

 

[cdemoss01]

how do I run media?

It depends on the media, each variety has do’s and don’ts!

I wouldn’t worry about any fancy media reactors right now… focus on the basics and the things that you will 100% be relying on to keep the tank operational, and the livestock healthy!

Will do

 

[Puggz]

If you go for a cheaper unit (amazon) i'd recommend buying 2 so you always have a spare. Take into consideration the loss in livestock if the return pump fails and decide on your level of risk and risk mitigation. IE. If your just cycling a new tank, not much to lose but time. A tank full of livestock worth $$$, thats a different decision. With a single pump I'd make sure I have a maintenance schedule and some spare parts on hand. Personally it would be having a 2nd as a plug and play backup. Unless its an Abyzz but even then I'd have some spare parts on hand.

 

[cdemoss01]

If you go for a cheaper unit (amazon) i'd recommend buying 2 so you always have a spare. Take into consideration the loss in livestock if the return pump fails and decide on your level of risk and risk mitigation. IE. If your just cycling a new tank, not much to lose but time. A tank full of livestock worth $$$, thats a different decision. With a single pump I'd make sure I have a maintenance schedule and some spare parts on hand. Personally it would be having a 2nd as a plug and play backup. Unless its an Abyzz but even then I'd have some spare parts on hand.

Understood. I'll buy a cheap one on top of the sicce and use as a backup if needed.

 

[cdemoss01]

Understood. I'll buy a cheap one on top of the sicce and use as a backup if needed.

I'll do a vivosun as backup

 

[mbuxton]

I started with Sicce but now have RedSea, which if I recall correctly are / were based on a Sicce design. One thing I would highly recommend is you run 2 identical pumps. My design has 1 pump dedicated to the return line (primary pump), the other pump runs through a UV sterilizer, an Algae Scrubber etc. (an Auxiliary Pump if you will). The key is when my Primary pump failed recently, I was able to immediately engage the Aux. pump into the return line simply by turning a gate valve. (Both pumps are located in the sump). Redundancy is the key. Pumps do and will fail.

 

[Puggz]

I started with Sicce but now have RedSea, which if I recall correctly are / were based on a Sicce design. One thing I would highly recommend is you run 2 identical pumps. My design has 1 pump dedicated to the return line (primary pump), the other pump runs through a UV sterilizer, an Algae Scrubber etc. (an Auxiliary Pump if you will). The key is when my Primary pump failed recently, I was able to immediately engage the Aux. pump into the return line simply by turning a gate valve. (Both pumps are located in the sump). Redundancy is the key. Pumps do and will fail.

^^^ this is never a bad idea either.

 

[FrugalReeferJon]

My Sicce’s been running close to 5 years now with no problems or issues.

 

[Puggz]

My Sicce’s been running close to 5 years now with no problems or issues.

Excellent reliability of an older product does not mean the product currently on the shelf is going to produce the same result. Companies are always looking at ways to increase the bottom line and they are always tinkering with the design to increase said profits. Yes, the SICCE's have a great reputation but like everything man-made, some do fail prematurely. I'm still of the camp that I'd keep a 2nd one on hand unless you have a LFS that keeps your model in stock.

 

[landlubber]

I don't know if there is a front runner but i will say that personally I prefer my Cor20 over the AC Lifeguard "quiet one" it replaced. Overall it just has to reliably return water to the tank but having extra control and a much quieter pump does have merit.

 

[cdemoss01]

I started with Sicce but now have RedSea, which if I recall correctly are / were based on a Sicce design. One thing I would highly recommend is you run 2 identical pumps. My design has 1 pump dedicated to the return line (primary pump), the other pump runs through a UV sterilizer, an Algae Scrubber etc. (an Auxiliary Pump if you will). The key is when my Primary pump failed recently, I was able to immediately engage the Aux. pump into the return line simply by turning a gate valve. (Both pumps are located in the sump). Redundancy is the key. Pumps do and will fail.

Wow.

 

[cdemoss01]

Should I buy this to add onto my pump?
Amazon product ASIN B0FN7GXHZQ