What is the quietest submersible pump?

[JimmyS]

I am looking for a good return pump that is submersible, very quiet and will push about 700-800 gph at 5 ft of head.

I will be using it on a 120g AGA megaflow tank with 2 overflows.

EDIT: Very, very quiet is the key. I am using a mag 7 now on my 33 and do not like the hum.

[twon8]

i'd go with an eheim 1260 or ocean runner 3500

[xtm]

Eheim 1260.. I put Enkamat underneath it and the thing is ridiculously quiet. I had to touch it to feel if it was on.

[oct2274]

same, but for a tank at size go with the 1262 or the oceanrunner 3500.

[burton14e7]

Whats an enkamat?

[kdblove_99]

OR 3500

[AZDesertRat]

OR 3500 or a Eheim 1262 but its not as energy efficient and costs over twice as much to buy.
.
The Eheim 1260 will probably be too small for a return pump. It does not handle head that well. I did some extensive testing and here are my results using a Kill A Watt meter, 10 psi pressure gauge, ball valve, 1 inch water meter and 1" plumbing on the discharge.
Open discharge - 782 GPH at 63 watts
1 psi (2.3') - 492 GPH @ 60 watts
2 psi (4.6') - 433 GPH @ 54 watts
3 psi (7') - 356 GPH @ 50 watts
3.5 psi ( 8') - 300 GPH @ 46 watts
4 psi (9.5') - 253 GPH @ 43 watts

I tested this brand new pump for a friend and was very disappointed. I had heard how Eheims were so good with head pressure but it really dropped off fast.

[dc_909]

My OR 3500 is SILENT.

I can't compare to any other pumps, but no complaint at all for this one.

[HBtank]

OR 3500 all the way :)

[JimmyS]

Thanks for the responses everyone.

For those running the OR 3500 what kind of flow are you getting at what height?

[twon8]

i use one as a return on a 180, it works fine, so it would be more than enough for a 120, about 4.5' of head

[AnthonyAp]

I went from using a Mag7 to a Mag9 to a Ocean Runner 2500. I do not hear the OR when its on. It is extremely quiet

[twon8]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10994512#post10994512 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AnthonyAp
I went from using a Mag7 to a Mag9 to a Ocean Runner 2500. I do not hear the OR when its on. It is extremely quiet

welcome to reef central, and i agree, the mags are noisy and hot