Return pump advice

IDAN · Mar 8, 2019

I'm looking to get new pump, anyone using Jeboa pumps?
I was looking on these 2:
https://www.amazon.com/Jebao-DC-12000-Return-Pump-Aquarium/dp/B00INTDJDA
or
https://www.chewy.com/jebao-marine-...V8YPG0CJmK2PoAojMoF9SB9FkPMYyKGUaAhGcEALw_wcB
the 3600PH version.

laverda · Mar 8, 2019

Personally I would never consider using either for a return pump. It is too critical to your system health. I don’t want to be worrying about when it will fail. They just have proven to not be very reliable. Many fail within a year. A few last 2-3 years. I would only consider using one for non critical functions, or as a cheap emergancy back up pump.

mich2599 · Mar 8, 2019

Ive had the DCP-4000 since October and it is still going strong. No issues whatsoever. Hopefully I won't have any issues soon.

cane · Mar 8, 2019

Yes very good pumps. I love them and have DCT-15000 running to my main display on the second floor. It’s been up for a yr. The others were running a smaller setup until I broke it down. Just like the high end/more expensive ones it’s recommended you have a backup pump just in case. So again to me it’s definitely worth it and you save a lot of money.

jda · Mar 8, 2019

They are the least reliable pumps on the market. Some have been running for a few years... some have had many failures, and quick failures. Even if all of them managed to stay running for a few years, this is still infancy for the truly reliable pumps in the Hobby. Check out Laguna Max Flo or Fluval SP Series... they are not expensive and have proven performance for deacde+. If you do choose the Chinese Knockoff Route, there is no warranty and very little chance of repair - just discard and replace.

Do you have any head pressure? DC pumps are horrible at handling this outside of the super-expensive ones. I am talking like basement sumps or 10+ feet of head - anything can handle 4-6 feet.

jtl · Mar 8, 2019

Mine is 2 years old and has worked great. I would buy again without hesitation.

laverda · Mar 8, 2019

2-years is nothing! I don't understand the people claiming they are reliable after less than a year or two when their are so many failures in less than a year. I have not heard anyone say they have had one for 5 years trouble free. I have had several other brands of pumps for 10 and even 22+ years trouble free. That is reliable.

jtl · Mar 8, 2019

laverda said:
2-years is nothing! I don't understand the people claiming they are reliable after less than a year or two when their are so many failures in less than a year. I have not heard anyone say they have had one for 5 years trouble free. I have had several other brands of pumps for 10 and even 22+ years trouble free. That is reliable.

They may last longer than you think but regardless who really cares what someone else buys.

jda · Mar 8, 2019

Who said that anybody cared what somebody bought? OP asked for advice.

jtl · Mar 8, 2019

jda said:
Who said that anybody cared what somebody bought? OP asked for advice.

I did.

Eggs · Mar 8, 2019

I bought a 300g aquarium recently and the seller used two Jebao DCT-12000 for returns. He said he had no issues. I haven’t decided yet if that’s the route I’ll take.

PDR · Mar 8, 2019

I really like the sicce syncra silent pumps. Not the cheapest but still much cheaper than most DC pumps and super reliable.

IDAN · Mar 8, 2019

It looks like everyone had different experiences with these pumps. I am not sure if they are long enough in the market to determent if they'll less for 5 or more years.
If you guys have alternatives I would like to hear about it, again I am not looking for the most expensive this is the easiest to find. (And please don't tell me, "so be ready to replace every 6 months bla bla lba").
I am looking for reliable, 3000 GPH and up, I don't care if it's DC or not, and to be able to control the speed\flow rate.

Sarah24! · Mar 8, 2019

Hello,

I run two current 3100 gph dc pumps on my 240 one per overflow. They have been amazing and the customer service and warranty is fabulous. I have had mine 16 months and to be honest this weekend will be the first time they get a vinegar bath. Still only run them about 65-70%, but you definitely know when you turn them up to 100%. The price point on these is also really nice and they are Bluetooth linked as well. Even at 100% they are dead silent and they do an amazing job.

It’s nice to reach out to get an idea of what others use. What most don’t realize is 95% of all this equipment is made in China, or assembled, or something, but designed and stationed here in the states. Anybody can have a gorgeous beautiful reef tank when you spend tons of money. What fun is that? It gets more fun when your tank looks as good as the one where someone spent 30k on, and yet you spent a third of that or less. Have some and experiment, (sometimes things do kinda suck, but the experience you gain from it is priceless. People by super expensive return pumps (because they don’t want it to fail). Well what happens if it does? I spent 1200 (example only), and it failed. At least when they do fail, you know what to do and faster at it. We can always blame equipment, but 75% or even 80% it fails because we become too dependent and or complacent.

laverda · Mar 9, 2019

IDAN said:
It looks like everyone had different experiences with these pumps. I am not sure if they are long enough in the market to determent if they'll less for 5 or more years.
If you guys have alternatives I would like to hear about it, again I am not looking for the most expensive this is the easiest to find. (And please don't tell me, "so be ready to replace every 6 months bla bla lba").
I am looking for reliable, 3000 GPH and up, I don't care if it's DC or not, and to be able to control the speed\flow rate.

AC pumps have proven to be the most reliable by a significant amount. I had 3000gph @ 6' spa pump by LM Lin Company for over 20 years. It came with my tank when I bought it and was about 5 years old then. It was still performing like a champ when I donated it with my tank to a local collage. During the time I had it I replaced the seals twice and cleaned it only twice that I remember. I would definitely recommend their pumps. The only reason I got rid of it was I wanted a larger sump with an internal pump and did not want that much flow.
I have been using a Deepwater BLDC10 for the laat 2.5 years and am very happy with it so far. It has been 100% reliable to date, however I don't expect it to last 20+ years and have a backup pump on hand. It was more than a jeabo, but I was able to buy 2 for less than the Vectra pumps that had not been released yet.

TexasTodd · Mar 9, 2019

Go with two pumps if you can, regardless of brand.

IDAN · Mar 9, 2019

Sarah24! said:
Hello,

I run two current 3100 gph dc pumps on my 240 one per overflow. They have been amazing and the customer service and warranty is fabulous. I have had mine 16 months and to be honest this weekend will be the first time they get a vinegar bath. Still only run them about 65-70%, but you definitely know when you turn them up to 100%. The price point on these is also really nice and they are Bluetooth linked as well. Even at 100% they are dead silent and they do an amazing job.

It’s nice to reach out to get an idea of what others use. What most don’t realize is 95% of all this equipment is made in China, or assembled, or something, but designed and stationed here in the states. Anybody can have a gorgeous beautiful reef tank when you spend tons of money. What fun is that? It gets more fun when your tank looks as good as the one where someone spent 30k on, and yet you spent a third of that or less. Have some and experiment, (sometimes things do kinda suck, but the experience you gain from it is priceless. People by super expensive return pumps (because they don’t want it to fail). Well what happens if it does? I spent 1200 (example only), and it failed. At least when they do fail, you know what to do and faster at it. We can always blame equipment, but 75% or even 80% it fails because we become too dependent and or complacent.

What is the make and model of your pumps?

Sarah24! · Mar 9, 2019

Hello,

I have two of the current usa 3170 eflux dc return pumps model numbers should be model 6011. They have been amazing and well I still havnt cleaned them. They can be found on amazon for 254 or lfs, my had them for the same price as well. For the price they are really really good pumps and would have no problem in trusting them.