Return pumps brands/reliability

[BZOFIQ]

Abyzz A400IPU here for my 500 gallon need that head pressure also running a A200 for a closed loop on my 400 gallon

These guys can't be beat! Have an A200 and A100 on my 270 - would never buy anything else.

 

[BZOFIQ]

It was mentioned earlier that return pumps are one of the more critical items on a reef tank. I equate it to attempting an trans Atlantic or Pacific flight in a single engine airframe. Yes, you can but there are associated risks. Likewise they need routine maintenance regardless of what we, your fellow hobbyist, say. Tires need kicking and rotation, oil needs changed. Doesn't matter what Bob, Sally, or Joe experience all systems are unique and different.

Our reef tanks are at different stages so the critically of the return pump, in my opinion, will be different. Losing a return pump on a new tank, while sad, will not make a huge difference in replacement costs. On the other hand a failure on a 3, 5, 10, 15, or 20 year old reef is one that we probably can't recover from.

My suggestion is always to look at the application and design. If going with an off brand or knock off can you include redundancy? That would be my choice. Also have a cold spare (boxed) ready to go, labeled, in case it goes out while away and needs to be swapped out. Middle of the road products I would treat similar. Redundancy, spare. I would focus on the warranty in this space and aim for 5 year which will of course limit your selections. Larger systems, mature systems, lots of fish, coral colonies, there is only one brand I would consider.

Just my opinion on the subject.

Well approached.

 

[jadedog]

Thanks for the advice! I want to get something more reliable then my Jaebo I have now I know the pumps are the heart of the system so I want something I can truly trust. I think ill be going with the Varios 4 from reef octo unless I see something else that changes my mind I like that they also have a 5 year warranty. Ill keep a cheaper spare return in case of emergency.

 

[areefer01]

Thanks for the advice! I want to get something more reliable then my Jaebo I have now I know the pumps are the heart of the system so I want something I can truly trust. I think ill be going with the Varios 4 from reef octo unless I see something else that changes my mind I like that they also have a 5 year warranty. Ill keep a cheaper spare return in case of emergency.

Regarding the spare - just make sure you match up plumbing sizes (intake, outlet). Height may be different so you will need to factor that in with your choice, and install. Can do, just factor it in before powering on. Would hate to run into an issue during a failure. Especially if it is on a Friday or Sunday.

Good luck!

 

[Freenow54]

I love my Sicce Syncra SDC. It's been reliable and quite since it was installed in 2019

​

vectra

 

[jadedog]

Regarding the spare - just make sure you match up plumbing sizes (intake, outlet). Height may be different so you will need to factor that in with your choice, and install. Can do, just factor it in before powering on. Would hate to run into an issue during a failure. Especially if it is on a Friday or Sunday.

Good luck!

Sounds good Ill keep my current Jabeo as a spare and i also have Sicce but its pretty weak its like 560gph but that will be last resort lol.

 

[exnisstech]

Ill keep a cheaper spare return in case of emergency.

Its easier to keep an identical pump as your backup IMO and one of the reasons I don't buy high dollar pumps with features I don't need.
Even when I ran a reeflo external pump I kept an identical back up.
Or as mentioned above have the back up set up so it's a quick swap if it's needed.

 

[00W]

Jebao dcp 3500 been running I don't know how long....
Silent, good flow.
Bought 2 for $125, still have one in the box collecting dust.

 

[fish_collector]

Abyzz pumps are the Rolls Royce of water pumps with a price to match so they're not for everyone.

I've had outstanding luck with Jebao pumps from Amazon. I've had 5 of them in constant use for several years at least and they are silent and reliable. The DCP pumps have a plate with ceramic bearing behind the impeller for shaft support and longevity. The speed controller is functional and reliable as well. For less than $100 you can get a pump that will serve you for years, IMO there's no reason to spend more for something that is "better". And as has been mentioned, use 2 return pumps for redundancy.

 

[ssster2020]

I was running a sicce but I broke it when I was taking the rotor out for cleaning, I installed a jebao that I bought as a backup. It’s quieter than the sicce I think but I don’t have app control which I miss

 

[vlangel]

I had a Jabao 6000 DC return pump that was in my basement sump. I never cleaned until I took the tank down last month and it ran flawlessly and very quiet for 7+ years. Its variable speed was perfect for dialing in the right flow for my drain and I could not have been happier with its performance.

 

[tsharpe291]

for me its reef octopus water blaster pumps, I just want a plug in and go pump.
no apps or wifi.

 

[zheka757]

After multiple failures of vectra l2, from ecotech. They gave me brand new replacement. Sold if here a while ago, and got my self jebao 20000. Cheaper, stronger, and zero issues for several years. Love cheap jebao stuff

 

[OfficeReefer]

@jadedog It really depends on what you want your return pump to do beyond just moving water. Over the years I’ve used just about every type and brand out there, cheap ones included, and while the budget stuff can work for a while, I wouldn’t recommend it anymore. Go with something proven and solid like Sicce . I’ve got several and still run an SDC 3.0. I’ve also had good results with Fluval and even the stock pumps that came with Biocubes early on did fine for what they were.

Later on, I picked up a Neptune Systems Apex COR15, great pump, to replace what came with my Red Sea reefer series. That one gave me control over speed, temperature, and power, which I really liked, and I still wish it had a built-in flow meter. Right now, I’m running an AI Axis 40, and it’s done okay, though the integration took a hit when I upgraded to a newer Apex controller. The old wired models supported IOTA (multicast) connections directly with supported devices, but now I have to add an MXM module and deal with the Mobius app just to get the same level of control I used to have.

Bottom line: think about whether you want your pump to just push water, or if you want it to be part of your automation — with alerting, control, logging, and monitoring. That’ll make a big difference in what you buy and how you set it up.

 

[jadedog]

@jadedog It really depends on what you want your return pump to do beyond just moving water. Over the years I’ve used just about every type and brand out there, cheap ones included, and while the budget stuff can work for a while, I wouldn’t recommend it anymore. Go with something proven and solid like Sicce . I’ve got several and still run an SDC 3.0. I’ve also had good results with Fluval and even the stock pumps that came with Biocubes early on did fine for what they were.

Later on, I picked up a Neptune Systems Apex COR15, great pump, to replace what came with my Red Sea reefer series. That one gave me control over speed, temperature, and power, which I really liked, and I still wish it had a built-in flow meter. Right now, I’m running an AI Axis 40, and it’s done okay, though the integration took a hit when I upgraded to a newer Apex controller. The old wired models supported IOTA (multicast) connections directly with supported devices, but now I have to add an MXM module and deal with the Mobius app just to get the same level of control I used to have.

Bottom line: think about whether you want your pump to just push water, or if you want it to be part of your automation — with alerting, control, logging, and monitoring. That’ll make a big difference in what you buy and how you set it up.

Thanks for the comment I went with the reef octo varios. I like that I can connect it with my hydros and it seems to have good reliability and warranty.

 

[backbayreef]

These guys can't be beat! Have an A200 and A100 on my 270 - would never buy anything else.

I run dual A200’s, separate power circuits, and one of them is UPS protected. We lost power for 20min today due to the rain and the critical pump, 2xMp60s, and manifold never went down!

As a backup, I can swap the Abyzz out for the Red Dragons — just sitting on the shelf. Yes, I’m obsessed with return pumps for the main system.

 

[BZOFIQ]

I run dual A200’s, separate power circuits, and one of them is UPS protected. We lost power for 20min today due to the rain and the critical pump, 2xMp60s, and manifold never went down!

As a backup, I can swap the Abyzz out for the Red Dragons — just sitting on the shelf. Yes, I’m obsessed with return pumps for the main system.

Love it!

I couldn't fit both A200 in the return section without redoing my very clean plumbing but that would be my goal as well.

I too have them on separate circuits with the A100 currently connected to the UPS.

In my conversation, with certain someone, I figured out that the A100 can be DC driven so that is soon to be re-done to work off my industrial DC system that powers everything at either 48, 24 or 12V - fully battery backed up with the A200 then connected to the UPS.

My Reef Octopus Octo Pulse Powerheads run off 24V from the aforementioned system. I do not have a single power brick on my system. I have an industrial array of power supplies (Meanwell & Phoenix Contact , battery backed, running off multiple circuits supplying everything around my tanks.

 

[me & my baby]

I am about to try the Hygger dc return pump . It says it can be used internal or external . The HG18 says it can handle 14ft of head pressure so I am about to find out . If it works as good as there wave makers I will be very happy .

 

[backbayreef]

Love it!

I couldn't fit both A200 in the return section without redoing my very clean plumbing but that would be my goal as well.

I too have them on separate circuits with the A100 currently connected to the UPS.

In my conversation, with certain someone, I figured out that the A100 can be DC driven so that is soon to be re-done to work off my industrial DC system that powers everything at either 48, 24 or 12V - fully battery backed up with the A200 then connected to the UPS.

My Reef Octopus Octo Pulse Powerheads run off 24V from the aforementioned system. I do not have a single power brick on my system. I have an industrial array of power supplies (Meanwell & Phoenix Contact , battery backed, running off multiple circuits supplying everything around my tanks.

Amazing - very nicely designed.

What about the heater? All my gear are DC, except the two 400W heaters, which are AC. I get nervous sticking my hand in the sump with them on - developed a habit of turning them off if I work on the sump.

 

[BZOFIQ]

Amazing - very nicely designed.

What about the heater? All my gear are DC, except the two 400W heaters, which are AC. I get nervous sticking my hand in the sump with them on - developed a habit of turning them off if I work on the sump.

The heaters are a different story - no reliable solution exists so one just has to resort to multiple redundancies.

5 heaters in total (2 x 2 stages 150+300W, plus emergency @ 600W) on 2 separate controllers on separate circuits is what I have done. No battery backups on these but I have 2 generators ready to be hooked up if needed. There is no space for reliable solution that would provide the kind of load needed for heaters for days in case of outage or more importantly, outage during long distance travel. Thank god we have a reliable house sitter - my father

Here is an old picture while that DC system was being put together, it has gone through some iterations since then so perhaps I need to refresh my pic library.

Batteries stored in separate enclosures.