pump recommendations

I use this one:

Dead quiet: Poseidon PS4 (also known as Velocity T4). I can't hear the pump run. Decently efficient, and adds heat, but definitely the most silent pump I've ever run.

Good alternative: Eheim submersible. Get a 1260 or so. Very quiet and very reliable, but not very efficient.

Good compromise with okay efficiency and great reliability: Mag 9.5.
Good pump with utter reliability, low heat, and okay efficiency: Iwaki 30. Both of these add noise.

Your requirements would make a direct-drive pump be a bit too much (such as a Sequence Snapper). They are really efficient & quiet, but you end up replacing seals after a year to a few years.



Edited by Corey Price - October 20 2010 at 1:14pm

Jeffs_little_ocean wrote: I use this one:   http://www.marineandreef.com/Rio_2500_Pump_Rio_2500_Powerhead_Rio_Power_Head_p/rti00824.htm   Performance chart:   http://www.marineandreef.com/Articles.asp?ID=123

I totally agree with this. I used a 2500 Rio for 7 years on a freshwater tank with no problems or noise.....

I would not use the Rio Pumps.  I used to use Rios all the time, but EVERY Rio pump I have has either stopped working, the housing cracked, or the impeller doesn't spin up everytime it is turned on.  They are usually a good price and work fine for a while, but I would look at a higher quality pump.

I have been thinking about the small Tunze.  Its not cheap, but...

If you want super quite go with a Poseidon like Corey said they are DEAD silent. You have to feel them to even tell if they are on.

low cost, low noise reliable pump I used for years on my small tank and still use for waterchanges is an Ocean Runner 2500,  it pumps 2500 L/h or 650 Gallons/hour. Great pump never had any problems with and only 28 watts to run, much better on the power bill than the Mags, which I have also run and like but are much louder and less energy efficent.

You cannot beat the poseiden pumps, I am using two on my system, you have to touch them to verify that they are running. You can pick them up used for around $70. I bought my T-4 from a member a couple years ago for $75.

I use a rio HF as well and really like it. I hate mag pumps they are always way noisy.

+1 on the Poseidon (Velocity) pumps!  2 reasons:  1) I prefer external in-line pumps because they free up space inside the sump, and are generally easier to access for servicing.  2) My T4 is wicked silent!  Like others have said, it does add a little heat to the system, but for a decent sized tank with good water volume it shouldn't be a problem.  I run mine on a 55G with no fans or anything to cool it.