Looking for good quiet pump for phosphate reactor.

fishdoc11 · Apr 23, 2015

Bought a MJ 400 for the smaller TLF phosphate reactor but when I throttle it down it makes quite a bit of clacking noise. Any other reasonably (doesn't have to be super cheap) priced pumps that will fit in the built in sump chamber of a 30 gal JBJ that you guys think is quieter?
TIA, Chris

ajones2n · Apr 24, 2015

Hydor pico pumps. I bought two to upgrade the returns on my jbj 30 they are half the size of the mj's and just as powerful. And really affordable.

fishdoc11 · Apr 26, 2015

Thanks man! Got the MJ 400 quieted down a little today but I may have to try these out.

ajones2n · May 23, 2015

Did you ever end up changing pumps or did the maxi jet work out?

Downbeach · May 24, 2015

Is it the Marineland MJ400 or the Cobalt(original MJ's) MJ400?

fishdoc11 · May 25, 2015

What I have is working fine (still bit loud but I've gotten used to it I suppose) but I will likely replace them with the pumps you recommend when they need it.

schooleyosis · May 27, 2015

Downbeach said:
Is it the Marineland MJ400 or the Cobalt(original MJ's) MJ400?

I believe the Cobalt is...

Quoted from BRS:
The Cobalt Aquatics MJ series of pumps is the same Italian-made MJ you have been using for the last 20 years. Reliability and low operating noise have been the staple of this pump series, a principle reason why aquarists around the world have been using them for decades. After the original MJ distributor moved operations to China, Cobalt Aquatics jumped on the opportunity to work with the Italian manufacturer to continue to provide a source for this high quality product line. Mostly used for wave makers, protein skimmers, calcium reactors, nano aquariums, under gravel filters and hydroponic applications.

fishdoc11 · May 28, 2015

Well no wonder Maxi Jets suck now :D

redfishbluefish · May 28, 2015

I would never buy the newer MJ's.....they're trash. Definitely Cobalts.

This is a classic business example on how to ruin a brand. And since I'm on the soapbox, and just purchased a new grill, another example of a crash and burn is what Weber did when they purchased Ducane and moved manufacturing offshore......boom! There goes a premier quality brand. I don't understand dumb business moves like this.