Return pump and overflow suggestions for a 300g mixed reef

[Rooles]

Hey!

I am looking for suggestions for return pumps and overflow options for a 300g 96x30x24 reef tank.

What's the suggested flow rate now a days? 5 times an hour or is closer to 10 better?

I think im wanting to go dual return pumps for redundancy. Im open to all suggestions.

The modular marine 3000 return looks like a good option. Im not so sure if a 3000 is overkill or if its okay. Also open to other brands and styles.

Thanks!

 

[tzabor10]

The ecotech options are my favorite. Optional Battery backups make it a clear choice.

 

[Rooles]

Ecotechs seem pretty cool. They are a bit pricey for sure though

 

[mfinn]

There are a ton of options for return pumps starting with jeboas to Red Dragons and Abyzz pumps.
I currently use Red Dragons on my 240 for the return and a closed loop.
I also use a Vectra M2 on my 66 gallon tank.
If I weren't using those I would pick VarioS. They have a wide range of options for different controllable flow rates.

 

[Rooles]

There are a ton of options for return pumps starting with jeboas to Red Dragons and Abyzz pumps.
I currently use Red Dragons on my 240 for the return and a closed loop.
I also use a Vectra M2 on my 66 gallon tank.
If I weren't using those I would pick VarioS. They have a wide range of options for different controllable flow rates.

How are those red dragons doing for you. I hadn't heard of them.

 

[mfinn]

How are those red dragons doing for you. I hadn't heard of them.

If you thought the Vectras were expensive, wait until you see RD's prices.

I really like my Red Dragon 3's.
I have a pair of RD3-100 watt pumps currently.
The RD 3's had a flaw that would pop up on a few over time. If the controller went out, the whole pump was fubared.
With the new Eco 5's they made them so the controller, power supply and the pump could all be replaced separately.

Royal Exclusiv came out with a new generation called the Eco 5 line.

The Red Dragon pumps are considered a high end line of pumps.

 

[tzabor10]

If you thought the Vectras were expensive, wait until you see RD's prices.

I really like my Red Dragon 3's.
I have a pair of RD3-100 watt pumps currently.
The RD 3's had a flaw that would pop up on a few over time. If the controller went out, the whole pump was fubared.
With the new Eco 5's they made them so the controller, power supply and the pump could all be replaced separately.

Royal Exclusiv came out with a new generation called the Eco 5 line.

The Red Dragon pumps are considered a high end line of pumps.

I am jealous of your Red Dragons. The absolute best.

 

[Rooles]

If you thought the Vectras were expensive, wait until you see RD's prices.

I really like my Red Dragon 3's.
I have a pair of RD3-100 watt pumps currently.
The RD 3's had a flaw that would pop up on a few over time. If the controller went out, the whole pump was fubared.
With the new Eco 5's they made them so the controller, power supply and the pump could all be replaced separately.

Royal Exclusiv came out with a new generation called the Eco 5 line.

The Red Dragon pumps are considered a high end line of pumps.

I think the real question is if they are worth it, and what kind of warrenty do they have vs the vectras warrenty

 

[BryanM]

Abyzz are seriously expensive.

 

[Rooles]

Abyzz are seriously expensive.

Yeah definitely our of reach for me. Red Dragons are probably the upper limit of cost.

I am highly leaning toward a pair of synchra SDC 3.0 wifi pumps

 

[mfinn]

I think the real question is if they are worth it, and what kind of warrenty do they have vs the vectras warrenty

I personally think it's worth it.
I'm at about 10 years with one of the 100 watt pumps.

 

[lagatbezan]

My system is a FOWLR and not a reef, however on my 300g I'm running 2x Sicce SDC9.0 for returns and using a Reeflo Dart Gold for a closed-loop. The SDC's are set at 62% and I have them externally.

 

[Rooles]

My system is a FOWLR and not a reef, however on my 300g I'm running 2x Sicce SDC9.0 for returns and using a Reeflo Dart Gold for a closed-loop. The SDC's are set at 62% and I have them externally.

How's the noise on the sicce pumps?

 

[lagatbezan]

How's the noise on the sicce pumps?

The noise on them is minimal, however not silent. I'm running four of them. Two SDC9's for returns external; SDC9 on a lifereef skimmer internal and SDC7 all the way down for my UV/chiller.
I run two skimmers, Lifereef and RO with Varios4S which it dead silent. The lifereef is the loudest component of my system unfortunately.

 

[areefer01]

One thing you may want to ask yourself is how much would it cost to replace a 300 gallon display should a pump fail.

• New tank, today
• 1 year anniversary
• 5 year anniversary
• 10 year anniversary

Return pumps play a vital role in the big picture much like a bcd, regulator, and air tank does in scuba diving. In short, it is life support. Abyzz may have an upfront sticker shock but look at the energy use and warranty and see how that may factor in to your reefing budget. Likewise look at the other options and then make a decision.

Maybe it is running one brand at X cost or maybe picking something in the middle and running two for redundancy. Maybe match return pump with skimmer for maintenance and emergency.

BTW I would encourage this same exercise for internal flow. So much better to design it in right from the start rather than wasting money by triage later with band aids...

Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[shepe]

I’ve got a tank the same size, I’ve got 2 synergy shadow v3’s for the overflow and a sicce sdc9 as the return pump running at 100%
More than happy with the sicce but would probably try modular marine for the overflows of doing it again, has taken me quite a while to tune the shadows to near silent.

Adding the ATO made a big difference to making the shadows silent but I do have to run the water level in the shadows at like 1cm from the top of the box which is a bit nerve racking but so far it’s been fine

 

[BuffaloLake]

Hey!

I am looking for suggestions for return pumps and overflow options for a 300g 96x30x24 reef tank.

What's the suggested flow rate now a days? 5 times an hour or is closer to 10 better?

I think im wanting to go dual return pumps for redundancy. Im open to all suggestions.

The modular marine 3000 return looks like a good option. Im not so sure if a 3000 is overkill or if its okay. Also open to other brands and styles.

Thanks!

I have basically the same tank, with a center overflow. My overflow has two 1 1/2” drains and two 3/4” returns. I run it Herbie style. I am shooting for 10x flow, as I run full Triton method. Currently I run two Neptune COR 20’s. They are barely adequate for my setup after head pressure loss, but I like my Apex stuff.

 

[UncommonSense]

I have basically the same tank, with a center overflow. My overflow has two 1 1/2” drains and two 3/4” returns. I run it Herbie style. I am shooting for 10x flow, as I run full Triton method. Currently I run two Neptune COR 20’s. They are barely adequate for my setup after head pressure loss, but I like my Apex stuff.

Your limiting factor here is the return plumbing, not the pumps…

3/4” sch.40 PVC really struggles to push past 900-1,000GPH at the low pressures our centrifugal pumps provide!

That said, you’re likely getting <=50% of those COR-20 pumps actual flow capabilities currently! (1.25” return plumbing would be needed to max them out… then, the 1.5” primary drain would be overwhelmed… but, 1” return plumbing would likely be the sweet spot for this tank!)

 

[areefer01]

Currently I run two Neptune COR 20’s. They are barely adequate for my setup after head pressure loss, but I like my Apex stuff.

What size plumbing are you using? Only asking because you noted 3/4" returns and that would impact the Cor's performance.

 

[areefer01]

Your limiting factor here is the return plumbing, not the pumps…

3/4” sch.40 PVC really struggles to push past 900-1,000GPH at the low pressures our centrifugal pumps provide!

That said, you’re likely getting <=50% of those COR-20 pumps actual flow capabilities currently! (1.25” return plumbing would be needed to max them out… then, the 1.5” primary drain would be overwhelmed… but, 1” return plumbing would likely be the sweet spot for this tank!)

I see I replied and your post was in flight. You explained it well.