Choosing appropriately sized quiet return pump

[Muffin87]

Hello everyone,
I can't decide between the three pumps in the table below, as I don't understand the relationship between flow and head pressure.

I need my return to pump 500 GHP, with about 4.5 ft of head pressure and 3 elbows in the way.
I need a very quiet pump. Plus, being able to decrease flow when feeding would be great bonus.

The issues with the pumps above are:

• Will the Sicce SDC 6.0 achieve 500 GHP when set to minimum flow, despite the head pressure (4.5 ft) and the 3 elbows?
• Will the Hydor Seltz DC 2000 achieve 2000 l/h when set to maximum flow, despite the head pressure (4.5 ft) and the 3 elbows?
• Is the Sicce Syncra 3.5 the pump I should really use to have 500 GHP with my plumbing?
  I want to keep it as a last resort option. I've read reviews saying some units are loud, plus you can't decrease flow when feeding.

Can someone help me choose between these three or give me some advice?

Thank you very much!

 

[Peace River]

Welcome to R2R! Sicce has quality pumps and I would also encourage you to consider the #reefoctopus Varios line of pumps if quietness is that important. Good luck with your selection!

 

[WVNed]

Welcome to buying pumps. The numbers given are almost meaningless except in comparison to other pumps.
The max head is how high that pump can lift water.
The flow numbers are when the pump is running in free water like in a bucket with no head or restrictions on the inlet or outlet.

 

[AZMSGT]

If you want 500gph get a pump rated to 1500-2000gph with your set up. Those elbows are killers for pressure. I‘m running a 2000gph rated pump through 3 elbows and about 4” of pipe getting 526gph at the flow sensor.

 

[foxt]

You can usually find the performance curve of a pump - it shows the flow relative to head. For example, the sicce 6.0 curve shows about 1000gph at 4.5ft of head. Taking a look at the pump curves could help you decide.

 

[foxt]

The other useful tool is a head loss calculator, like this one: http://www.freecalc.com/fric.htm

Elbows, pipe diameter, overall length, valves, all add head pressure!

 

[Westside Guy]

Out of curiosity is there a reason why you are not considering the Vectra DC pumps?

Vectra - M1 & L1 Return Pump

EcoTech Marine has set new standards for equipment in saltwater aquariums. The Vectra is no exception. The world’s smartest return pump can be run on a schedule, wirelessly give you updates on the operation and be automatically configured to work with your specific aquarium setup.

ecotechmarine.com

 

[Muffin87]

Out of curiosity is there a reason why you are not considering the Vectra DC pumps?

Vectra - M1 & L1 Return Pump

EcoTech Marine has set new standards for equipment in saltwater aquariums. The Vectra is no exception. The world’s smartest return pump can be run on a schedule, wirelessly give you updates on the operation and be automatically configured to work with your specific aquarium setup.

ecotechmarine.com

I don't wanna spend too much, because when I get an APEX, I'll just get a Cor-15. I know the Cor-20 works without at an apex as well, but it's just too expensive at the moment.
Living in Italy, I can get a good deal on the Sicce SDC 6.0.

 

[Muffin87]

#reefoctopus Varios line of pumps if quietness is that important.

Thanks, will check if they're available here in Europe.

 

[Muffin87]

The other useful tool is a head loss calculator, like this one: http://www.freecalc.com/fric.htm

Elbows, pipe diameter, overall length, valves, all add head pressure!

Great! I had been looking for something like this!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Sicce, or danner supreme

 

[Peace River]

Thanks, will check if they're available here in Europe.

Check out the #reefoctopus distributor list on their website.