Weighing Up External Sump Pumps

[Midwater]

What will be most important is reliability for my upcoming 3000 litre. So I am considering not just a good return pump but a spare too.

For reliability, I was looking at the Iwaki MD-40RX. It costs here (after importation) $580 equivalent. That seems a lot to me.

I can get the Eheim CompactOn 12000 for $380.

And Jebao DCP15000 delivered for only $146. In fact, I don't need a DC pump as it will be external, the ACQ12000 is less than a hundred. Getting cheaper all the time.

I could get six Jebaos for the price of one Iwaki.

Is Iwaki really worth the money? Should I get the Iwaki with a Jebao for backup? Or the Eheim with a Jebao.

Don't want a pump to die if I am out of town. I have heard that many people love Jebao, and some people complain about failures. Anyone had an Eheim die? Or an Iwaki?

 

[esoxlucius]

A lot of us have Jebao on here, myself included. I have a Jebao DCS7000 on my 360 and the very first thing I did when I made my choice was to get two, one as a spare.

The spare one is still in the box, I've never even opened it. Quiet, variable speed, totally reliable, and not that expensive. Pumps can get really silly pricewise, and there's no need to break the bank for a good pump.

One thing I will say though, twice a year I take mine to bits and thoroughly clean it with a toothbrush, I believe this helps a lot in maintaining its reliability.

Whichever choice you make, look after your pump, and it'll serve you well.

 

[fishdance]

I'm concerned about pump reliability while I'm away too. I use separate dual pump returns on separate electrical circuits. One of these circuits is backed up to emergency power and I have an air stone in the tank itself. Value of livestock easily over $15K.

I've had multiple Jaebo pumps fail. In Australia, Laguna pumps are highly regarded.

 

[Midwater]

Thought I would have a look at Panworld too. NH-150PS-F, $780 imported. Way too expensive. Panworld obviously do not want sales over here.

 

[fishdance]

External water pumps as a general rule will always be more reliable than submersible pumps and transfer less heat into your water column.

I have not used Iwaki pumps but they are a commercial grade industrial pump. Suitable for harsh liquid chemicals, toxic environments. Using one on an aquarium is massive overkill but they have been utilised in the ornamental fish industry at least 50 years that I know of. Supposed to be quiet too.

 

[duanes]

You may want to check out Sicce pumps.
They offer 4-5 year warranties, and are comparatively inexpensive.
I own 4 of their pumps, 2 prop powerheads for creating extra current , a submersible running my sump, and a utility for transferring water from here to there.



Below the flow from the sump to tank, at about 5 ft of head

 

[Backfromthedead]

I like jebao pumps, but have never used one externally. What kind of sump are you running? Low turnover with lots of bio media or high turnover with primary mechanical and bio media? What I mean to say is, if you have a ~750 gallon tank and the sump is your primary mechanical you may want a larger return pump/higher turnover than the ones you mentioned.

 

[cockroach]

Thanks for this duanes . I have seen them around and been wondering if they are worth it. Will look at them for myu next pump.
What are there power consumption like?

 

[duanes]

The 2500 GPH pump (according to their stats) uses 110 to 120 volts.
In the past I have used Mag Drive, had some last over 10 years with minor maintenance like replacement of impellers, but they were noisy, and gave off a lot of heat (in Wisconsin, not a problem)
and Laguna, less noisy, not as much heat,
Now the Sicce which have been the most quiet, and now living in the tropics with tanks outside the lack of heat given off, is a great asset.

 

[dr exum]

i’ve got lots of eco tech - they sell battery back up