Return pump noisy

[Melissajk]

I just set up a 55 gallon cube 24x24x20. Used. In the sump the return pump is so noisy. I would like to get something else. What is a good quite pump and how many g ph do you recommend.

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[Melissajk]

Picture of my 55 gallon

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[FrankAbagnale]

Just curious. What pump are you using that's loud?

 

[carey]

That was my question as well, what pump do you have now? You can also place a rubber pad under the pump to quiet it down a bit. I use mag drives and have never had any issues with noise.

 

[ezy33]

There's some new variable speed DC pumps on the market that a supposed to be very quiet and economical to run. Check your pump make sure that it's not touching the tank side. Try putting something like a filter pad or rubber feet under it. Good Luck!

 

[Melissajk]

I just bought this aquarium set up off craiglist. There is no name brand on the pump, but a little sticker that says 2010. It has suction cups on the feet. I have a glass sump, not to sure that makes a difference. It sounds like my dishwasher is on. I'm going to spring for a new one. What do you recommend for a 55 gallon.

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[FrankAbagnale]

I just picked up an Eheim Compact 3000 (396-793 GPH) and it's very nice and super quiet. They have a 5000 model that pumps a littler faster (660-1321 GPH).

 

[ezy33]

My 55 gallon came with a mag 5 (500 gallons per hour). Depending on your overflow you could go bigger. I'm looking replacing my mag 12 and mag 18 with a SpeedWave DC Pump - 2640 GPH from BRS next bulk buy. They have 2 smaller sizes 790 and 1320. I'm hoping to cut my electric bill down bit as the DC pumps are more efficient.

 

[Terrance]

Any DC pump will be much quieter and cheaper than mags.

I like the speedwaves series. Its a good pump among hobbyists in my area and my local reef store recommends them.

 

[carey]

Where have you found a dc pump thats less than a mag? I would love to go dc but all the ones I have seen are $200+. My mags have all cost me less than $100, except for my mag 18 of course. lol

 

[Terrance]

Look on fish-street carey. When I said cheaper, I meant cheaper to operate (less energy cost). Maybe same purchase price.

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[jwh0818]

If you want a good pump that's fairly cheap I would go with the lifeguard aquatics models. I have used those in the past on my sump setups and they work great. I would order another anyday

 

[Melissajk]

What is the difference between a DC pump and a mag pump?

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[ezy33]

DC pumps cost close to half as much to run and have 6 speeds with a feed mode that shuts it off for 10 minutes. It also starts up in slow then ramps up to the speed it was last set for.

 

[Heathro]

I haven't looked into the DC pumps as of yet, but being a journeyman electrician with a lot of experience in converting AC to DC, you lose some energy in the converter. I do like the "ramping" ability of DC motors and DC voltage is less likely to harm fish in failure than AC pumps. As far as half the cost to run, I would be a little suspicious. Look at the AC amperage draw of these DC pumps and compare it to a standard AC pump, that will let you know if it is indeed cheaper to operate.

 

[ezy33]

A mag 24 draws 265 watts while the Reef Octopus Diablo draws 85 watts at 2275 GPS. I believe the Speedwave 2640 GPS draws 85 watts too. I'll be buying the Speedwave hopefully this month and I'll put a watt meter on it to verify when I do. I'm not much of an electrician but I've worked as a electro-mechanical technician for a bit over 40 years. I know it's a lot easer to convert AC to DC than the other way around. I'm currently running a mag 18 for my DT and a mag 12 for my refugium and skimmer at 255 watts. Replacing both mag pumps with a DC pump will save 170 watts and with a improved plumbing design I think I will keep the same flow or close to it.