Help with choosing a Return pump. TY!

[ii_Richard]

Prepping for quality equipment, deciding between the following 2
Pumps:
1. EcoTech Vectra S2
Or
2. Sicce Syncra 5.0
I’d greatly appreciate the help, I understand there is a price difference and saved up for either one, need to make a right choice. (Fish/Reef tank).
Thanks again veteran reefers.

 

[Peach02]

What size tank?
They are both similar noise levels but the vectra is more controllable and soon to be able to be controlled through your phone, I’m pretty sure it also has better head height but I’m not sure

 

[ii_Richard]

It’s a 70 gallon tank.

What size tank?
They are both similar noise levels but the vectra is more controllable and soon to be able to be controlled through your phone, I’m pretty sure it also has better head height but I’m not sure

 

[Peach02]

It’s a 70 gallon tank.

Both should be able to run that tank well, is that a neptunian cube?
It just comes down to if you want to pay the extra for
Phone control (coming soon)
Battery backup option
More controllability
Can’t remember which has more flow and has better head height though

 

[Anchor]

Have a look at Sicce SDC 6.0. It is WiFi controllable via your phone and has many built in things similar to the Vectra but $10 cheaper. It also has a 5 year warranty. I have the 7.0 and am very happy with it. Has 11.5 max head, same as the Vectra. and same max flow in the 1450 gph range. Vectra S2 uses 72 wats max and the Sicce is 40 max. Basically that means less heat..

 

[NS Mike D]

One school of thought is that we move water too fast through our sumps (arguably, the counter argument is that the will pass through more times through the sump).

So powerheads should be taken into consideration. IMO, controlling flow in the thank is more important than the flow through the sump, especially since these are both good pumps and flow can easily be adjusted albeit different methods. Unless you have a pressing need for the extra features, the money saved can go to powerheads so you can dial in your tank flow.

of course if buying the eco tech won't impact your budget for powerheads, then go for it.

So my recommendation if to double check your budget before pulling the trigger, b ut you really can't go wrong with either.



PS. if you go with the sicce, don't ignore a back up power plan

 

[Anchor]

One school of thought is that we move water too fast through our sumps (arguably, the counter argument is that the will pass through more times through the sump).

So powerheads should be taken into consideration. IMO, controlling flow in the thank is more important than the flow through the sump, especially since these are both good pumps and flow can easily be adjusted albeit different methods. Unless you have a pressing need for the extra features, the money saved can go to powerheads so you can dial in your tank flow.

of course if buying the eco tech won't impact your budget for powerheads, then go for it.

So my recommendation if to double check your budget before pulling the trigger, b ut you really can't go wrong with either.


PS. if you go with the sicce, don't ignore a back power plan

Agree with Mike on his wisdom... something else to consider is what do you plan to keep in the tank? Softies and LPS need a lot less flow than Sticks/most SPS.

 

[Anchor]

And for the record.. Welcome to R2R....!

 

[mfinn]

I use a Vectra M2 on my 66 gallon tank.
I just love how quiet Vectras are.
IMO if you want quiet, go with the DC pumps
I had a sicce 5.0 once for a few hours. Was way to loud. Had several other sicce and they were pretty quiet, but the 5.0 wasn't.

 

[ii_Richard]

Both should be able to run that tank well, is that a neptunian cube?
It just comes down to if you want to pay the extra for
Phone control (coming soon)
Battery backup option
More controllability
Can’t remember which has more flow and has better head height though

It’s ( 36x20x20 ). Leemar tank, also what kind of return hose and flow should I use?

 

[ii_Richard]

Have a look at Sicce SDC 6.0. It is WiFi controllable via your phone and has many built in things similar to the Vectra but $10 cheaper. It also has a 5 year warranty. I have the 7.0 and am very happy with it. Has 11.5 max head, same as the Vectra. and same max flow in the 1450 gph range. Vectra S2 uses 72 wats max and the Sicce is 40 max. Basically that means less heat..

I see... man didn’t even check to see the 6.0 and control via phone. Main point you made was low wattage and less heat.. thanks for your knowledge

 

[ii_Richard]

One school of thought is that we move water too fast through our sumps (arguably, the counter argument is that the will pass through more times through the sump).

So powerheads should be taken into consideration. IMO, controlling flow in the thank is more important than the flow through the sump, especially since these are both good pumps and flow can easily be adjusted albeit different methods. Unless you have a pressing need for the extra features, the money saved can go to powerheads so you can dial in your tank flow.

of course if buying the eco tech won't impact your budget for powerheads, then go for it.

So my recommendation if to double check your budget before pulling the trigger, b ut you really can't go wrong with either.



PS. if you go with the sicce, don't ignore a back up power plan

Thanks for the knowledge, see that’s the thing ill
Be purchasing EcoTech MP40’s (which I should of specified in my post), so if that should lean more towards the S2 or not..? I am taking it nice and slow because I know the foundation is key, and quality parts will help me in the end as well.

 

[ii_Richard]

Agree with Mike on his wisdom... something else to consider is what do you plan to keep in the tank? Softies and LPS need a lot less flow than Sticks/most SPS.

That’s were I am also new, definitely softies and Lps, but I want buy for the future as well. Like if I want to upgrade to a bigger tank then I can keep my existing equipment and swap. I’m just trying to think ahead as well. Even though I want my tank to start cycling lol

 

[Plecosam]

Depends what you want Sicce has the reliability but will be noisy, AC pumps hum, the bigger the pump the bigger the hum.

 

[southerntnreefer]

Have you considered the octo varios line? I've been drooling over then myself.

 

[Anchor]

Have you considered the octo varios line? I've been drooling over then myself.

I forget which but is the Octo line usable thru Apex without adaptors? VDM I am guessing... ? I considered the VarioS-6 at one point as well.

DC pumps will definitely be quieter and cooler than AC pumps. If noise is not a thing and value is then a good AC pump is a good choice.

 

[southerntnreefer]

I forget which but is the Octo line usable thru Apex without adaptors? VDM I am guessing... ? I considered the VarioS-6 at one point as well.

DC pumps will definitely be quieter and cooler than AC pumps. If noise is not a thing and value is then a good AC pump is a good choice.

There is a built in 0 to 10 port on the varios controllers for apex control. I recently bought 2 octopulse 2s for the 0 to 10 volt port alone

 

[Anchor]

It’s ( 36x20x20 ). Leemar tank, also what kind of return hose and flow should I use?

Looking at the picture of your tank, I assume there are 2 drilled holes inside the box at the bottom. Either half inch or 3/4 inch return. For the size of pump you are looking at I might use the 3/4 return if the bulkhead fits in the drilled hole. If by chance you have 2 holes of the same size.. I would think maybe 1 inch each... you would downsize inside the box.. to the tank.. which means a 1 inch tube from pump to bottom of tank.. Can you tell us more about what is inside the box.. even a pic if possible?

 

[ii_Richard]

Have you considered the octo varios line? I've been drooling over then myself.

I haven’t even looked. Now they’re on my radar. Thanks

 

[ii_Richard]

Looking at the picture of your tank, I assume there are 2 drilled holes inside the box at the bottom. Either half inch or 3/4 inch return. For the size of pump you are looking at I might use the 3/4 return if the bulkhead fits in the drilled hole. If by chance you have 2 holes of the same size.. I would think maybe 1 inch each... you would downsize inside the box.. to the tank.. which means a 1 inch tube from pump to bottom of tank.. Can you tell us more about what is inside the box.. even a pic if possible?

Yeah, I have posted some pics. I was thinking I might have to do that. So that way I have enough flow going through.