Return Pump

[E.intheC]

I have an Elos System 70 (55 gallons) and need a return pump.

Over the years I’ve used Sicce or Eheim, generally.

How are the DC pumps in general? I don’t want something unreliable, especially if it’s a return pump.

What are you currently using?

 

[bar|none]

I have the new Sicce Syncra SDC 6.0 Wifi Pump on a Reefer 170 and it is quite awesome. I'm running at about 45% on lagoon mode with does a gentle up and down on flow but is consistent enough to keep the return flow tuned.

The dry run protection works without the need for a float switch. You also get an alert (from app on phone/tablet) when the pumps dry run protection kicks in or when pump goes offline as well.

Already saved my bacon on vacation when I got dry run alert and realized my ATO settings where not working, dosed ATO with Neptune remote and problem gone.

 

[Hemmdog]

Reef octo VarioS, love it.

 

[Huff747]

I have a Reef Octopus Varios and have been happy with it. I like the float switch that shuts it off if the water level gets too low and it's dead quiet.

I had a Jebao DCT-something on my last tank and no complaints with it either.

 

[iko2thdk]

Jebao dct12000 very quiet, reliable and reasonable too.

 

[Foothill Corals]

None of the DC pumps will be as reliable as the Sicce and Eheim AC pumps.

 

[Coastie Reefer]

I use a varios 4 to run my 75 and lowboy tied into one sump. LOVE IT.

 

[E.intheC]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I like the look of the Sicce controllable pump, and I’ve heard great things about the octo pump as well. Does anyone know what motor block the varios is based off of?

 

[BantyRooster97]

Just my opinion, but for me the sicce pumps have been very unreliable. I currently have a 3.0 running on one of my tanks And i’m Looking to replace it (it stopped running for no reason over The Weekend) plus I have a 5.0 and a 7.0 I use for parts that froze up for no reason.

 

[bar|none]

Everything fails...It can happen at any time...no matter how reliable

One of my favorite quotes is "geologic time is now"

The more interesting question is what happens when it does?

Not saying that you shouldn't shop for reliable because you should.

All points are valid...

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

I take it that you have power heads inside your DT? I would not run a tank without one.

 

[Zos4me]

Reef Octopus varios 4 awesome and quiet

 

[E.intheC]

I take it that you have power heads inside your DT? I would not run a tank without one.

Definitely. 2x Tunze 6095s to start. I have an MP40 that needs a new wetside but I don’t think I’ll need that

 

[jda]

Laguna and Fluval for me. I will consider a DC pump when I see 5+ years of operation without iteration and changes to fix bugs or problems... this has not happened yet.

DC is not where you want to be if reliability is your chief concern.

 

[BantyRooster97]

@jda I hear that same thing all the time... sicce are supposed to be awesome, but in my tanks they are the only ones that have failed me in the last 5+ years besides a jabeo (to be expected).

I do have a very old 10+ year old dc no name pond pump from ebay, that was on my very first tank in my office in 08 that still runs like a top... funny, it was only like $40.

Never had a fluval, but was actually looking at the newer red version... it just seems to be too strong.

 

[E.intheC]

Laguna and Fluval for me. I will consider a DC pump when I see 5+ years of operation without iteration and changes to fix bugs or problems... this has not happened yet.

DC is not where you want to be if reliability is your chief concern.

I like laguna quite a bit as well. Agreed on reliability aspect

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

The Fluval SP2 might work great, I know the SP4 is a large pump I wonder what the size of the SP2 is.
I was asking if you had a power heads because I would not trust a tank with a DC pump as my only source of circulation.

 

[Rmaksim33]

I have the new Sicce Syncra SDC 6.0 Wifi Pump on a Reefer 170 and it is quite awesome. I'm running at about 45% on lagoon mode with does a gentle up and down on flow but is consistent enough to keep the return flow tuned.

The dry run protection works without the need for a float switch. You also get an alert (from app on phone/tablet) when the pumps dry run protection kicks in or when pump goes offline as well.

Already saved my bacon on vacation when I got dry run alert and realized my ATO settings where not working, dosed ATO with Neptune remote and problem gone.

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

I recently returned to the hobby. The entire DC pump is new to me. I but a used system and it came with a DC pump. It is incredibly quiet. But I run it on full blast except for feed mode. I would probably be just as happy with an AC pump at one setting. I feel the more flow the better. Before investing in a DC pump ask yourself if you need the various levels that a DC pump offers.