Return pumps

[Aqua Ultraviolet]

Of the two, the VarioS-8 or the Sicce SDC 9.0 fits your goal. The 6 is too small.


Rated flow is at zero head, so you’ll get noticeably less once you add vertical lift and plumbing. The VarioS-6 tops out around 1,585 gph on paper, so it would be near max just to reach your 1,500-1,600 target. The VarioS-8 (around 2,100 gph max) and the SDC 9.0 (around 2,400 gph max) can hit that range at roughly 70-75% with room to spare.

Two other DC options in that range are the EcoTech Vectra M2 and L2. They’re quiet and app-controllable, but they cost more and have a shorter warranty.

Before you buy, check the manufacturer’s head-loss chart against your actual lift, fittings, and pipe size. Also check the sump or return chamber depth, since the pumps are fairly large. A controller with a feed mode or battery backup is a good idea, because DC pumps don’t restart on their own after a power loss on some models.

If you run two returns, a ball valve on each lets you balance the flow.

 

[martin.a]

Wow. This thread is heating up .

I only want to say that I use Jebao DCP 10000 and I am very happy so far. I have it dialed down most of the time, all stays cool and silent. I am now planning to buy x2 of their GDP pumps for dual pump return.

 

[kboogie]

I can tell you why I run them

Likewise.

I recently swapped my broken Mag 36 for a Jebao DCP-20000.

I'll validate that it's quiet. I'd like to have a brand new Mag36 to compare decibel output...mine was loud but had a massively broken impeller, shaft and pump cover. I actually don't understand how that Mag was pumping water at all, at any decibel level. Heroic! LOL

The Jebao starts soft, but I don't personally see an advantage to that.

It's a return pump so there's no value to the speed control. (...or it's a detriment due to the added components and increased probability of failure.)

I don't see any advantage to AC vs DC power in the water. Class II insulation seems to work very well. ⧈ (<- Class II icon)

Power efficiency of DC is overrated...nobody (including Jebao) seems to count the watts used by the power supply brick that gets SUPER HOT. (But I do. The Jebao is more or less comparable to the Mag when you include the brick.)

To the Jebao's credit (and my surprise), the provided flow curve for the Jebao seems accurate, possibly even conservative. (Again I would like to have a brand new Mag 36 to compare head to head with this Jebao.)

The only reason I picked the Jebao (besides the comically low price) is that it's the only other available submersible pump that can put out flow like a Mag36 under the head pressure requirements I have. (And I wanted to try one.)

I won't have a problem switching back to AC return pumps when this Jebao kicks the bucket...but I do hope that's not for a while!!

I'm still curious about the OP's intent for only spec'ing DC pumps.

I recently was in a jam. I was in the middle of replacing a Marineland 300G that was ready to spring a leak. I replaced it with a second hand custom acrylic aquarium, 1” thick. I did all the work myself. The seller gave me a brand new never used ReeFlo Hammerhead Gold. It was in storage for five years never used from the original build that never happened. I decided I didn’t want to deal with the required annual replacement of bushings and volute seal so I opted to use an old MaxSpec Jump DC-8. It wasn’t enough flow and my wife was ticked by how over budget I was on the project. I decided to give Jebao a try because of the insanely low price and surprisingly good reviews. I got the MDP-20000 with the understanding I would upgrade to a Reef Octopus Varios 10 or 12 after my wife calmed down. I have to say I don’t see that upgrade in my future because the MDP-20000 has been very impressive. The flow numbers are grossly understated. The fine control is up to par with the highest end competitors. It is dead silent. My DT is in my home office and I sit five feet from it for 14 to 16 hours a day. It runs cool. My small complaints are the cheesy looking but effective app and the lower quality plastic used for the volute. I run it at 88% and with seven feet of head pressure this thing moves an unbelievable amount of water. IT move so much water I have no need for supplemental flow from wave makers. My DT is 84” x 36” x 26”.

I do have to give a shoutout to the people at ReeFlo who are the best! I sent them an email with a ton of questions. They answered all of them quickly and provided immediate responses to my follow ups. They are solid people who know what they are doing.