New reefer 250 what return pump

Steamreefer · Feb 28, 2025

Hey everyone, brand new to reefing but not new to aquariums. Just sharing a picture of a past tank i kept. Plants started to get a little boring so I've since sold this setup.

Now I'm looking to purchase a rsr 250 g2. I'm aware of the history of the g1 tanks and I'm hoping everything has been ironed out for the g2s. The reason I choose this tank is that the other tanks similar sized with sumps leave little or no room in the cabinet for other things. The 2nd reason is its one that I can get locally as we have only 1 salt water store in my city.

Anyway the reason for this post is I'm trying to get an equipment list together so I can just get it cycling for a month or 2 also giving me time to get other odds and ends.

So I'm trying to decide on a return pump. I'll eventually have a powered or 2 but for cycling I'm just going to run the return pump.

I plan on (maybe a year from now) getting the neptune apex controller but I haven't done a ton of research on this yet and I'm still uneducated on the whole thing but I like the idea.

Can someone explain the benefits of using a neptune core 15/20 with the apex controller? Is it worth the premium? 1 thing i understood about this combo is that the pump will plug into the controller without the need for the power supply brick? If that's the case it's appealing considering the lack of space in this cabinet.

Next pump that caught my eye was the red sea reefer pumps since they will match the tank (I'm a sucker for matching equipment) any pros or cons on these?

3rd the octopus varios 2 looks nice with the controller included. Just caught my eye because it looks fancy.

And lastly sicce pumps seem to be always recommended, and I'm sure they're great I'm just not a fan of the plain jane-ness of them. But if that's what's recommended i wouldn't be opposed to them.

Also using the apex controller, I'm assuming I still need a pump with a dedicated external controller? Or can the apex control the pump?

I would 100% opt for dc models as the tank will be in my living room.

Also open to any and all suggestions.

Featherweight · Feb 28, 2025

I'd go bigger than varios 2. Probably want a 6.

Steamreefer · Feb 28, 2025

Featherweight said:
I'd go bigger than varios 2. Probably want a 6.

Do people still go for 5-10x turn over?

What gph should I be considering?

Featherweight · Feb 28, 2025

It's not going to run full blast... But you have the extra if you ever want to plumb in something like UV. I like 5 x turnover or so. Keep in mind that rating is max, not what you get after plumbing. It's really nice to be able to speed up or down to match overflow

Steamreefer · Feb 28, 2025

Featherweight said:
It's not going to run full blast... But you have the extra if you ever want to plumb in something like UV. I like 5 x turnover or so. Keep in mind that rating is max, not what you get after plumbing. It's really nice to be able to speed up or down to match overflow

Good point. Just read reports of the red sea pump being loud, seems to be quite a few accounts. Leaning towards the varios 6 which says can be controlled by an apex

exnisstech · Feb 28, 2025

I run/ran jebao dcp pumps and all 3 are silent. I run a dcp 15000 on my WB 330.7, a DCP 5000 on my reefer 300. I ran a DCP 3500 for 5 years on my reefer 170 until I broke it down because of a failing seam. They are DC but use a controller not WiFi or Bluetooth. Personally I have no need for any of that on a return pump as long as I have a feed button that's all I need. I never understood why people spend so much money on some of the high dollar return pumps. Return pumps and lights are set and forget it items for me so I don't need an app.

Pod_01 · Mar 1, 2025

I have RSR 250 and right now I use:

Works well and is silent.

Before that I used Vectra S1, but it failed after 3.5 years. Also silent and worked well but I expect bit longer life out of it.

I tried few other AC pumps but they all have a hum so I am not a fan of them.

The Red Sea pump is repackaged Sicce ADV pump. They are controllable but when I did my research it seems they are actually AC and still retain the hum.

Good luck,

Steamreefer · Mar 1, 2025

Thanks for the suggestions.

I'm now between the cor 20 and the reef octopus varios 6 as both work with the apex controller.

What I'm trying to figure out is if you lose any features by using the octopus over the cor with the apex. Hard to find info. They're both about the same price.

I do like the look of the controller on the octopus more and it comes with an intake strainer. Not sure why neptune wouldn't include something so simple on a $600 pump.