Best pump for Return?

[besimon]

I am doing either a 55 or a 75 reef and am in the process of getting all the dry goods purchased. In your opinion what is the besst brand for a return pump. I am looking for a pump that is quite and relitivly inexpensive.

[aninjaatemyshoe]

Go with an Ocean Runner: inexpensive, energy efficient, and fairly quiet. Definitely do not go with Rios. Mags are ok, but the Ocean Runners are better and far more efficient. Never had a Lil Giant, but recall reading not so great reviews about them - I don't think they meet the criteria for being quiet. As far as the BEST brand for a return pump it would completely depend upon the size of the tank and how much head pressure. For a tank your size and what I'm assuming to be a sump located directly under it, an Eheim would be the best. However, they are not cheap by any means and Ocean Runners are a reasonable alternative for a lot less money.

[toefutoefutoefu]

i would rather eheim->ocean runner->quiet one over any of the above pumps

[OnlyCrimson]

oops i voted magdrive. Not a bad return if want a small one though. But I think an eheim or an ocean runner would be much better. Less power consumption.

[jjkief86]

for a 55 or 75 then a Mag would be good, just get a ruber base for it, then it will be quiet. No Rio.

[oct2274]

eheim

[heyfredyourhat]

i went with an eheim as well

[AZDesertRat]

OceanRunner. 1/2 the price of an Eheim, more energy efficient meaning less heat due to inefficiencies and just as quiet if not quieter.

[kdblove_99]

Oceanrunner all the way!

[sailfish2]

ocean runner i love mine

[hllywd]

I'm leaning toward a Quiet One 4000 or Eheim 1262 externally for my new system mostly because of the energy usage they advertise, 50W for a 4000, 80W for the 1262. Even if you step down to a Mag 7 they still advertise 70W power consumption. The Eheim 1060 (now 1260) I used to have was super quiet and a strong performer too.
Currently I have a RIO 2500 and a 1700 powering returns and a throttled back 3100 on my Aqua C EV-150 skimmer. They have been quite reliable for me but I want to move away from the internal pumps due to physical space and at least assumed heat issues. I think a lot of their bad reputation comes from some very old pumps that caused some problems and is no longer relevant. I will definately keep them as backups.
I'll go against the current here and say strictly speaking of the pumps you listed, the RIOs are a good choice for the money and efficiency they offer.

Tim

[besimon]

wow thanks for all the replies! I personally have never heard of an ocean runner and will look into them! Thanks

[Reef Sponger]

eheim 1250, tank turnover on the return pump s/b approximately 3x-5x.

[celano]

I'm a Hydor man myself. I got a slightly used L45 a little over six months ago from the guy who sold me my 75. Its a great little pump if you dont have to much head pressure.

[AZDesertRat]

Ocean Runners are distributed by Aqua Medic, one of the oldest names in the business.

[smackwater]

Other-----I vote Iwaiki(japan)---initial cost alittle more, but I've had the same pump running non stop 24/7 for 8yrs. quiet, very reliable

[klam114]

Originally posted by smackwater
Other-----I vote Iwaiki(japan)---initial cost alittle more, but I've had the same pump running non stop 24/7 for 8yrs. quiet, very reliable

For external, I agree with Iwaki RLT20. For internal, Eheim 1250.