return pump

[wonrib00]

I am in the market for a return pump from my sump to the tank. I was wondering if anyone had any luck with the Mags or the ViaAqua. It needs to pump back about 600 GPH. Please post any helpfull info. Thanks.
Nathan

[rleechb]

if you're going internal, a mag is good, there will be a little bit of heat transfer. If going external, little giant or iwaki are my votes.

[The Aquarist]

I've read good and bad on the Mags. I know first hand that RIO pumps will let me down. I agree on the external Iwaki. Great pumps. My vote on a submersible in the gph range you are looking for (from recent experience only) is the new Quiet One #3000, which is rated at 780 gph. I'm using a #4000 and a #6000 now. So far, they're great!

Eheim is a very dependable submersible, but the EH0096 (1250) is only 317 gph and the next size that I'm aware of is the EH0326, which is 898gph and around 160 bucks! Eheims are worth the extra bucks in my experience (if you've got the extra bucks to spend on a pump!)

Most submersibles will potentially bump up tank temps a couple of degrees.

[73ChargerFan]

From Marine Depot:

Eheim 1260: (http://www.marinedepot.com/a_pu_eheim.asp)
max 634 gph at 0 head, 12.1 ft max head, 65 watts, $120

Eheim 1262: (http://www.marinedepot.com/a_pu_eheim.asp)
max 898 gph at 0 head, 11.5 ft max head, 80 watts, $130

Quiet One 3000 (http://www.marinedepot.com/a_pu_rainbow.asp)
780 gph, 40 watts, 10.5 ft max head, 600 gph at 4 ft head, $53. Sounds good if your head is 4 ft or less.

Quiet One 4000 (http://www.marinedepot.com/a_pu_rainbow.asp)
max 1017 gph at 0 head, 10.2 ft max head, 50 watts, 725 gph at 4 ft head, 600 gph at 6 ft head, $73. Sounds good if your head is between 4 ft and 7 ft.

Perform a search on RC for 'HEAD' and then estimate the head your return line will be. I think each foot rise is 1 ft head, then add 1 ft head for each 90 degree elbow, 0.5 ft for each 45 degree elbow. Also the pumping capacity is often cut by 1/3 to 1/2 if you reduce the pipe size at the pump.

Also do a search on 'Quiet' in this forum.

[The Aquarist]

I just checked around and did some searches on "quiet" and saw complaints about the Quiet One 4000 HH (High Head) model being a little loud, so I added my 2 cents and came back here. I have the standard 4000, not the HH. It's used as a BIG powerhead. I used RIO suction Cups (Threw out the RIOs) to stick it to the side glass in a 220 a couple inches below the main tank water surface. The first day, I heard a low hum. Since then, I haven't noticed anything. I have the 6000 that is external on another tank in a small room. It's on a shelf next to the tank. I hear it running, but it's not loud.

By the way, That Fish Place has the 4000 for $56.99 and the 3000 is $44.99. Shipping isn't bad either.

[The Aquarist]

Oh yeah, That Fish Place
http://www.thatpetplace.com/intro/main.html
didn't have these pumps on their website last time I checked, but you can get the number and order by phone.

They have the #4000 HH at $84.99, but that sounds like most people have found it not so quiet. I can say that the regular 4000 mentioned above and the #6000 are quiet at my place.