Return pump for new tank options !

[Hallowhead]

Howdy,

I'm looking for some Input on what return pump I should choose for my new build.

It's a 34 gallon frag with a 15ish gallon sump. It's ~ 5 foot head space

I'm looking at either a jabao DCP 3000 to DCP 4000 a sicce 3.0 or a mighty jet midsize which seems to be the least effective of the three

Any input is greatly appreciate !

 

[W1ngz]

I think those pumps will be way overpowered for a 34 gal. The sicce 1.5 or 2 would probably give you a 3-5 time tank volume turnover at 5' head. 5' head seems a bit on the high side for a frag tank.

 

[Hallowhead]

I think those pumps will be way overpowered for a 34 gal. The sicce 1.5 or 2 would probably give you a 3-5 time tank volume turnover at 5'.

How do you feel about the noise level of the sicce pumps ?

 

[W1ngz]

How do you feel about the noise level of the sicce pumps ?

I have a 75 and a 90 cube (in progress) each running a sicce 3.0. With proper vibration damping (silicone tubing to the hard plumbing and the long suction cup feet) there’s almost no sound at all.

 

[Hallowhead]

I have a 75 and a 90 cube (in progress) each running a sicce 3.0. With proper vibration damping (silicone tubing to the hard plumbing and the long suction cup feet) there’s almost no sound at all.

Have you compared to a DC pump?

 

[W1ngz]

Have you compared to a DC pump?

I haven't. I had the Jebao 4000 on my 'maybe I should try one' list, but my LFS doesn't carry them, so I got the Sicce for the new system.

 

[Hallowhead]

I haven't. I had the Jebao 4000 on my 'maybe I should try one' list, but my LFS doesn't carry them, so I got the Sicce for the new system.

I think I'm gonna go with a dcp 3000

 

[Journeyman]

I went from a sicce to a jebao DC pump. The sicce is really good. Almost silent.

The jebao is silent.

 

[Hallowhead]

I went from a sicce to a jebao DC pump. The sicce is really good. Almost silent.

The jebao is silent.

But is the jebao also really good ?

 

[W1ngz]

But is the jebao also really good ?

The one in my 75 has been running since July 2014. Does that qualify as ‘good’? They’re known for reliability and quiet. What you lose with the sicce is the controllability, but it’s arguable if you really need to control a return pump any more than on/off.

 

[Hallowhead]

The one in my 75 has been running since July 2014. Does that qualify as ‘good’? They’re known for reliability and quiet. What you lose with the sicce is the controllability, but it’s arguable if you really need to control a return pump any more than on/off.

May get a new jebao dc 3000 and pickup a used sicce as a backup.

 

[Journeyman]

I like it because it's silent and controllable, so I am able to slow it down or speed it up. I have not experienced any problems with it.

I did keep my old sicce for backup.

 

[JeepTj]

had a jabao… failed 2 months later.. argh :( warranty... gave up trying, their is a reason lot of places don't carry them. thankfully my sump can handle the water when this happens haha..

Got a Sicce syncra pro 1900 g/h nice pump .. cant hear it, and barely when im under the tank doing maintenance.. just plumbed inline valve and a manifold to throttle and control it..

for the price I paid tho, extra 100 bucks i'l just spring for a ecotech, but at the time I didn't have the extra cash :(

 

[Hallowhead]

I like it because it's silent and controllable, so I am able to slow it down or speed it up. I have not experienced any problems with it.

I did keep my old sicce for backup.

had a jabeo… failed 2 months later.. argh :( thankfully my sump can handle the water when this happens haha..

Got a Sicce syncra pro 1900 g/h nice pump .. cant hear it, and barely when im under the tank doing maintenance..

for the price I paid tho, extra 100 bucks i'l just spring for a ecotech vortech, but at the time I didn't have the extra cash :(

I think you just got unlucky. Vortech is just too expensive

 

[JeepTj]

I happy with my sicce, good rep and I trust it .. and yea I agree the ecotech anything is pricy... sorry the vortech was a typo, that's having mp40's on my mind form another thread haha its the Vectra's

has a cheap 20.00 amazon pump used it for a few months no issue but was noisy as can be haha ..