Return pump for Eshopps PF-1000 HOB overflow?

[ihateSpirorbids]

The Eshopps PF-1000 HOB overflow is rated to be 1000 GPH. Is that the true flowrate?

I was looking at the Sicce Syncra Silent 4.0 Pump (951 GPH). The Sicce silent pumps have adjustable flow rate so that's a big plus.

Would this be enough? Or should I get the Silent 5.0 Pump (1321 GPH)?

Is there a pro/con difference between using a pump that's slightly under the overflow GPH vs a pump that's higher than the overflow GPH?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Is this the SDC pump? I would go with sicce syncra SDC 6.

 

[ihateSpirorbids]

i think it's an AC pump, but it has an adjustable knob. The DC pumps are a bit out of my price range.

 

[formallydehyde]

i think it's an AC pump, but it has an adjustable knob. The DC pumps are a bit out of my price range.

To be honest with a HOB overflow I would try to spend the extra money on a DC pump with an adjustable controller on the cord if that's not going to totally break you financially. It doesn't necessarily need to be one of the super fancy ones, just one that has several speed settings.

I initially tried using an AC return pump on mine (different brand) that was admittedly probably overpowered for my tank size (LFS upsold me lol) and trying to adjust the flow rate into a sweet spot between "emptying all the water out of my sump and overheating the pump" and "so low that the U tube keeps getting trapped bubbles eventually breaking the siphon" was a bit of a nightmare. Especially because adjustment consisted of bending my arm at angles it wasn't meant to bend so I could reach the physical knob in the sump. I broke down and bought the first DC return pump I saw at my LFS, which was an open box Aqua Top DC return pump model that was like $60 USD. It even has a 10 minute pause button on the controller for feeding.

I won't recommend or dissuade you from going with Aqua Top specifically though, because I've only used it a couple months, so I don't have a clue what the longevity of this pump will be. I'm only confident enough to use such a cheap return pump because I know my gyre pump in the display will keep circulating the water in the event of a failure until I can hook up a replacement. Just saying that not all DC pumps are super expensive, even Bulk Reef Supply which tends to carry more expensive brands has a Maxspect DC return rated for 1585 GPH at $192 USD right now:

Jump DC 6K Controllable Return Pump (1585 GPH)

Jump DC pumps deliver powerful, controllable flow at an affordable price. With their first venture into the return pump market, Maxspect looks to shake things up and depart from the typical mold. While the Jump series pumps follow a very different aesthetic, it's the guts of these pumps that...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

No idea how good their return pumps are but I heard Maxspect is a generally a pretty well regarded brand.