Reliable DC return pump

[ddmiller23]

My waveline DC pump died after 3 years. Running with a Jaebo in the mean time, but i don't think I want to rely on it long term. What is a good reliable DC return pump these days? Looking for something that does around 2000gph.

 

[Reeferdood]

My waveline DC pump died after 3 years. Running with a Jaebo in the mean time, but i don't think I want to rely on it long term. What is a good reliable DC return pump these days? Looking for something that does around 2000gph.

If you are running an apex then I would say CoR, if not you can't go wrong with a Vectra either.
Those pumps have both been employed by me so I can recommend them with confidence.

 

[jda]

I do not think that anything has a record beyond three years except for the Red Dragon and Abyzz. Most of the rest of them have iterated to fix issues since then with some failures.

How reliable are you talking? Decade, or will three more years do? For truly reliable, then an askol block pump like a Laguna or Sicce are decade-plus pumps and low wattage, but not DC and do not come with controllers. For three more years, then get another Waveline or maybe an EcoTech, but 2000gph is serious business if you have any head (not a big dead with no head), so vet the manufacturer and their reputation well.

 

[ddmiller23]

Well, I traditionally ran eheim which last for a decade. But i really like the low energy use and variable speed of the DC. So, i guess guess as close as to eheim as i can get with around ~$300 budget. I was happy with the waveline till it died. I would have probably just grabbed another but they don't seem to make them anymore and I am figuring improvements have been made since then anyhow. I assume the jaebo I am running now is going to be a downgrade from the waveline. It was a quick fix. I do run an apex, but I have never really come across the need to control my return pump with it.

 

[ddmiller23]

If you are running an apex then I would say CoR, if not you can't go wrong with a Vectra either.
Those pumps have both been employed by me so I can recommend them with confidence.

What is CoR?

 

[ca1ore]

I think it depends on what you mean by 'reliable'. I've been running a Vectra M1 for there years and it hasn't crapped out yet .... though it may do so next week. The Neptune CoR has that 'pump de jour' glow about it, but hasn't been out long enough to know much about longevity. As noted, neither of these pumps are designed to push against pressure, so oversizing is wise.

 

[ddmiller23]

I think it depends on what you mean by 'reliable'. I've been running a Vectra M1 for there years and it hasn't crapped out yet .... though it may do so next week. The Neptune CoR has that 'pump de jour' glow about it, but hasn't been out long enough to know much about longevity. As noted, neither of these pumps are designed to push against pressure, so oversizing is wise.

I plumbed with 1.25 so shouldn't be to bad pressure wise. Looks like the Neptune handles that out of the box so i may have to give that one a try.

 

[ksed]

I think it depends on what you mean by 'reliable'. I've been running a Vectra M1 for there years and it hasn't crapped out yet .... though it may do so next week. The Neptune CoR has that 'pump de jour' glow about it, but hasn't been out long enough to know much about longevity. As noted, neither of these pumps are designed to push against pressure, so oversizing is wise.

What makes you think it will crap out next week? Lol

 

[acro-ed]

I'm using an L1 vectra and have been very happy with it so far after almost 2 years. I would not hesitate to use one for another build.

 

[Reeferdood]

What is CoR?

It is one of 2 neptune pumps that integrate with the apex.

 

[ca1ore]

What makes you think it will crap out next week? Lol

No reason of course. Just the vagaries of fate when claiming three years of problem-free service :D. As a dyed-in-the-wool external AC pump guy, anything less than a decade of problem-free service is underwhelming to me. I like the Vectra though - it works particularly well in the role I have for it, that of a closed loop.

 

[jda]

Don't walk past Laguna 2400 or 2900 or even the Fluval SP6... they are great pumps that are actually reliable. There are from 100 (2400 gph) to 135 watts (almost 4000 gph), but if you were doing much less than that with a DC pump, then I would be shocked, or the head is very low.

The both use the same blocks from Italy. Laguna has a stainless shaft and the Fluval has ceramic... those are the only differences of note that I remember, other than the different flow rates.

 

[Nick30G]

Varios 6/8

 

[jessezm]

You might also research the Sicce 9.o SDC. I purchased one after doing a lot of research and asking a few people who are using them, though I haven't set it up yet. So take that with a big grain of salt...

 

[jason.kennedy.98478]

Varios 6/8

+100

 

[roberthu526]

I’d go with VarioS pumps. Quiet and stable.

 

[KJAG]

As mentioned, Red Dragon.

 

[User1]

My waveline DC pump died after 3 years. Running with a Jaebo in the mean time, but i don't think I want to rely on it long term. What is a good reliable DC return pump these days? Looking for something that does around 2000gph.

I have a pair of Cor 15's. One for return, one for skimmer. This way I can swap them out with little to not downtime say if my return failed. Skimmer can be taken offline for a bit. They are built F-150 truck tough if you get my meaning, really they are. The block is super think. I've had one for about 5 months the other maybe 4. Like a few said they are relatively new to market (retail anyway) so we can't answer reliability yet. I'd be lying. But so far it seems to be holding up pretty good for my 210 gallon tank and LifeReef skimmer.

I was going to go with a Vectra but after reading some of the failures, which I believe they have since corrected, I ended up with the Cor since it fit into my ecosystem. I will say if you want reliable, and not really a knock per say, I would avoid Jaebo DCT series. I originally was planning on using the 15000 series, and actually ran it for a leak and plumbing check before moving the tank into the house. Upon taking down and prepping the tank for movement the handle on the Jaebo snapped off. Ok, no big deal not like it is really a handle although it looks like one...anyway, few days later I was attaching plumbing when I noticed or felt the return line neck separate from the motor body. I mean that isn't normal right? So I checked again and sure enough right under the threads it was cracked or pulling apart. On top of that the body of the motor or housing unit is paper thin. That is when I said ok just get something else.

Don't get me wrong I had RW's from them for several years with good success. I'm just not a fan of t he DCT line of pumps based on the one I owned. Cors so far, so good. Others gave great suggestions as well. Best of luck.

 

[Duffer]

VarioS 6 for me..

 

[roberthu526]

I have a pair of Cor 15's. One for return, one for skimmer. This way I can swap them out with little to not downtime say if my return failed. Skimmer can be taken offline for a bit. They are built F-150 truck tough if you get my meaning, really they are. The block is super think. I've had one for about 5 months the other maybe 4. Like a few said they are relatively new to market (retail anyway) so we can't answer reliability yet. I'd be lying. But so far it seems to be holding up pretty good for my 210 gallon tank and LifeReef skimmer.

I was going to go with a Vectra but after reading some of the failures, which I believe they have since corrected, I ended up with the Cor since it fit into my ecosystem. I will say if you want reliable, and not really a knock per say, I would avoid Jaebo DCT series. I originally was planning on using the 15000 series, and actually ran it for a leak and plumbing check before moving the tank into the house. Upon taking down and prepping the tank for movement the handle on the Jaebo snapped off. Ok, no big deal not like it is really a handle although it looks like one...anyway, few days later I was attaching plumbing when I noticed or felt the return line neck separate from the motor body. I mean that isn't normal right? So I checked again and sure enough right under the threads it was cracked or pulling apart. On top of that the body of the motor or housing unit is paper thin. That is when I said ok just get something else.

Don't get me wrong I had RW's from them for several years with good success. I'm just not a fan of t he DCT line of pumps based on the one I owned. Cors so far, so good. Others gave great suggestions as well. Best of luck.

Aside from reliability the output nozzle pipe being 3/4” is ridiculous.