Return pumps

[EZReefLife]

What’s everyone’s go to reliable Dc return pump for 100-150 gallon system? I have a 100 gallon IM EXT incoming and one of the things I’m doing from the get go is plumbing in a second return. Ideally I’d like something that’s going to put out somewhere between 2-2500 gph. I won’t be running it higher than 15-1600 I don’t think but I also don’t want a pump running at max all the time ideally I’d like to only be running at 75% of the pumps power.

DC pump recommendations only please and thank you to all who contribute!

Right now I am considering either reef octopus varios 6/8 or a sicce sdc 9.0. Their 5 year warranties make them attractive as possible reliable pumps at least in theory.

 

[GillMeister]

Varios. An 8 might be a little too big though. I would say the 6 is perfect for your tank.

I have a Varios 8 for my 250 and I run it at about 30%.

Also keep in mind that Coralvue doesn't carry parts for the 8. If it does fail you have to buy a new one.

 

[exnisstech]

I love jebao DCP return pumps. The ones I use don't have Wi-Fi but I have no need for that on a return. I run DCP 15000 on my 330 and have a 5000 on my Mariner MP100 that was on a reefer 300. I ran a 3500 on a reefer 170 for 6 years. They're cheap enough I buy two so I have a spare. They're reliable and quiet.

 

[jwaldbusser]

I would recommend the various 6 as well . I went with two various 8’s returns on my 380 gallon system and one more on my mixing station .

I like to get a larger one than I need and the. Back then down to 50-75 % flow .to extend the life . The various are super simple to use with their controller .

Having said all of that, the good old Sicee are really hard to beat . Have two smaller ones in my AIO and I am terrible about chaining them. Just bullet proof .

 

[mcarroll]

Are you going to use the variable speed or why are you spec'ing DC pumps only?

 

[BeanAnimal]

I have had a few Varios die, actually all of the, except the skimmer NW pump.

I have a few Sicce SDC 9.0s that are reliable but IMHO severely overrated with regard to flow.

I’m running old RD3s right now but they are on borrowed time. I will eventually replace them with Deltec e- Flows. They are expensive, but are a different class of pump.

 

[BeanAnimal]

Are you going to use the variable speed or why are you spec'ing DC pumps only?

I can tell you why I run them

1 - soft start.
2 - quietness.
3 - no mains voltage on submerged pumps.
4 - no mains voltage on external pumps.

I ran a ReeFlo Dart gold for 12-15 years, and prior to that Velocity T4 Titanium’s. Prior to that large Danner Mag Drives and an Iwaki and an MDM. The T4s were dead silent but maintenance nightmares. The calcified heavily due to the heat in the titanium volutes. The Iwakis and MDMs were bullet proof but not silent. The ReeFlo was quiet but not silent. The RD3s are silent.