Return pumps are underrated

[Reef Jedi]

I believe return pumps receive limited attention despite being the unsung heroes across our systems.

Which return pump do you currently use?
Do you operate with high flow or minimal flow?
What is your estimated turnover rate?

I currently run a Core 15 and it’s served well over the last two years. What is your go to choice?

 

[13rodo]

It's not running yet but the IM 75 I'm setting up is starting out with a VarioS-6 and my plan is to start out with 5-7 times turnover / hour.

 

[UncommonSense]

100% agreed!

The return pump is the heart of life support on any sumped tank, the system will eventually crash if it fails… in fact, I’ve started to see larger systems with dual return pumps on independent plumbing more often than not lately!

In addition to that, the return pump is the only device that is universally on at all times, which is a major factor in tank running cost (electricity) these days!

— I currently run a Lifegard pro 4000 (~750gph observed flow, ~5x turnover of true display volume) on my 180g freshwater (around a decade into service) because I’ve been too lazy to replumb my return(s) for a Vectra M2 I have laying around…

— my hexagon reef tank is using another decade-old pump, a Sicce Synchra 2.0… (~400gph observed flow, 13X turnover w/no powerheads in-display, eductor effect from multiple RFGs only)… I’ll update this to a modern Sicce DC return pump whenever I get around to sump revision…

— I’ll probably stick with a larger Iwaki, or possibly a modern Sicce DC return pump (~1,000GPH observed, maximum) for the FrankenReefer project!

 

[Imrahilwjz]

Reeflo Dart/Snapper hybrid external, turns system over about 10 times an hour

 

[Imrahilwjz]

Reeflo Dart/Snapper hybrid external, turns system over about 10 times an hour

Or due to restriction may be 6-8 times . Guessing a bit

 

[vin666]

Using Redsea 6000 g2 - its been only a month lets see how far it takes us. Previous ran 3 years on Jebao dcp 9000 until i sold off the tank.

 

[Koty]

Maxspect mj6k running from the beginning since 2020 an excellent pump totally quiet hundred percent reliable. I just got another one to circulate water through my chiller because summer is very hot in my country easy to take apart and clean not that I cleaned it many times during the last six years i run it 75%, which is about 4000 L per hour my tongue is about 110 gallons

 

[lowkeymon12]

Just upgraded my waterbox 35.2 AIO with a an AI Axis 40. Love the fact it’s adjustable via the app and has a feed mode, can sync it with my Nero 3 to reduce flow at night and during the day it it’s turning over my tank about 30 times an hour.

 

[Reef Jedi]

Just upgraded my waterbox 35.2 AIO with a an AI Axis 40. Love the fact it’s adjustable via the app and has a feed mode, can sync it with my Nero 3 to reduce flow at night and during the day it it’s turning over my tank about 30 times an hour.

Wow 30 times an hour?! That seems like a lot of flow, do you see any benefit for that high of turn over?

 

[jmaneyapanda]

There was another thread here talking about return pumps and high $$ brand names vs. knock off Chinese pumps, pros and cons, etc.

The most eye opening take away I got from that thread is how many people humblebrag about how they never clean or service their return pump. It was mostly people talking about how they got a knockoff pump for 1/4 the price of the name brand, but would inevitably lead to "its been running for 5 years, and Ive never cleaned it or touched it, or even looked at it!". Thats not something to be proud of. At all.

The return pump is the absolute heart of a filtration unit. If it dies, all the protein skimming, heating, media filtration, etc you have and use are all for nothing.

My addition point in this thread- CLEAN AND SERVICE YOUR RETURN PUMP!

Edit- LOL. Just read all the previous comments too. Theres already someone saying this exact thing!

 

[jmaneyapanda]

.

 

[mfinn]

I use a Red Dragon 100 watt pump on my 240. I run it at 56 watts which I estimate it gives me between 900 to 1000 gph through the sump.

 

[X-37B]

I use Tunze returns on my ext 170 and ext 50. On my ext 112 I use the Mightyjet that came with the system. I like this dc pump.
I run around 2-3× turnover through the sump in all systems.
RS 170 and IM 15 use Sicci pumps.
I have never seen the need to run more than 2-3× turnover. High flow in my 170 is created with 2 sea sweeps and Tunze 6255 powerheads. Sump is powered by a Tunze .060 pump.

 

[backbayreef]

Guess I’m an idiot with dual Abyzz A200s on a 450gal. One of the them also runs all my reactors and is backed up by a UPS. The separate frag tank is powered by a Red Dragon 130w, and the other two tanks are using Jabao pumps. The Jebao has been running almost 6yrs, non-stop without any issues! I believe the key to longevity is not running them at 100% — I run most of mine at 60-70%. And yes, you should clean them periodically (every year?).

 

[BryanM]

I believe return pumps receive limited attention despite being the unsung heroes across our systems.

Which return pump do you currently use?
Do you operate with high flow or minimal flow?
What is your estimated turnover rate?

I currently run a Core 15 and it’s served well over the last two years. What is your go to choice?

I had a cor-20, I've since switched to a Varios-6.

Medium return flow, approx 4x turnover.

 

[commod0re]

Jebao DCP-5000, been an absolute champ so far. Inexpensive, easy to set up and maintain, low maintenance, not painful to replace.

It was mostly people talking about how they got a knockoff pump for 1/4 the price of the name brand, but would inevitably lead to "its been running for 5 years, and Ive never cleaned it or touched it, or even looked at it!". Thats not something to be proud of. At all.

I think you’re interpreting what they mean by that, in a way that maximizes your ability to be disdainful of it. The pride is not in the fact that they haven’t maintained their pump, but that the pump hasn’t demanded anything of them during extended periods of normal operations. Juxtaposing that against name brand pumps that cost between 2 and 5 times as much but require frequent maintenance in order to operate reliably? It’s a useful attribute to point out

 

[jmaneyapanda]

Jebao DCP-5000, been an absolute champ so far. Inexpensive, easy to set up and maintain, low maintenance, not painful to replace.


I think you’re interpreting what they mean by that, in a way that maximizes your ability to be disdainful of it. The pride is not in the fact that they haven’t maintained their pump, but that the pump hasn’t demanded anything of them during extended periods of normal operations. Juxtaposing that against name brand pumps that cost between 2 and 5 times as much but require frequent maintenance in order to operate reliably? It’s a useful attribute to point out

I understand what youre saying, but also (somewhat) respectfully disagree. What maintenance is required on a name brand pump that isnt on a knock off? Fouling pump housings happen on ALL pumps. Calcification happens on ALL impellers. What mainetnace take 2 to 5 times as much time for a name brand? What am I missing?

My point, though, wasnt an implication on any brand, named or knock off, $20 or $20,000. My point is that people who dont do maintenace on the most important part of their life support system are fools. Saying "my return pump has ran 5 years and I have never cleaned it" is like someone arguing "you dont need to do oil changes on your car. I drove 55,000 miles without one and my engine hasnt blown up yet".

 

[BriDroid]

I’m running a Varios 2 on my current setup. I’m also using a Wave Engine LE to control it. I’m running it about 325GPH (calculated) which is about 7X in my tank. I’ve been very happy with the pump. It’s rock solid and quiet!

 

[exnisstech]

4 jebao return pumps running. I love the DCP pumps. They're dependable, quiet, and cheap enough I buy two so I have a back up. My oldest was 6 years running and I guess I'm one that humblebrags ( tho I don't really know what that means) because I didn't clean the pump for 6 years. Its cleaned now and on the shelf ready to be put back into service if needed. No Wi-Fi or app but i don't need that on a return pump. I'm not a numbers guy so I couldn't say how much flow I'm getting in any tank but I don't feel the number is important. I set my return flow so I'm getting as much as I can while keeping the overflow quite. Same with in tank flow, I just watch coral and how food blows around the tank.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

4 jebao return pumps running. I love the DCP pumps. They're dependable, quiet, and cheap enough I buy two so I have a back up. My oldest was 6 years running and I guess I'm one that humblebrags ( tho I don't really know what that means) because I didn't clean the pump for 6 years. Its cleaned now and on the shelf ready to be put back into service if needed. No Wi-Fi or app but i don't need that on a return pump. I'm not a numbers guy so I couldn't say how much flow I'm getting in any tank but I don't feel the number is important. I set my return flow so I'm getting as much as I can while keeping the overflow quite. Same with in tank flow, I just watch coral and how food blows around the tank.

LOL its just a casual term about stating something modest, while boasting underneath. Its tongue in cheek.

However, I have to ask, why would you not clean such a critical device for 6 years?