best internal return pump

[demonclownfish]

i now need an internal return pump so ive been looking at a few. so far ive found the quiet one 4000, mag 9.5, mag 12, eihem 1262. opinions on any of these pumps? experiences?

[cephalotus]

I would go with the mag 12, yeah mags put off some heat and use electricity but are cheap and they last forever.

[MyNemesis]

I've had the Mag pumps and currently have an Eheim as a sump workhorse. The Mag 24 I had put out a LOT of heat, use a LOT of power and was a LOT of loud. I didn't need a heater on my tank the whole time I was using the Mag 24, keeping the water temp at 76 degrees consistently in the winter, but summers were a challenge. My tank is in my dining room so it was very noticeable. The Eheims don't pump that much water quantity for a return pump for what they cost, but they are very reliable. I got an ATB Flowstar pump last summer in a group buy Tanglovers organized and the flow is less than the Mag I had (like 1500 gph at 5' head), but they are dead silent, use much less energy, and don't put off the heat. They can be use internally or externally, and it was a couple bucks well spent. The new Sicce pumps look good, too, but I haven't checked them out carefully. Tanglover's whole system after the addition of his new 520 gallon tank is run by the Flowstar pumps.

[Manoj's Reef]

+1 on mag generating heat. They are not very efficient , but are cheap and a good way to get into the hobby.

+1 on ehiem reliability. I have been using it for the last 1.5 hrs with no probs.

[BlackGrandPrix]

I really like the Maxijet Utility pumps. They use considerable less wattage than the Mags.

[binford4000]

You might want to look at hese

Water Bluster Water Pumps


They're built just like the red dragons are very quiet and efficant.And put out a ton of water for the buck

[180wall]

I second the water blaster they are about as efficient as you can get.

[Wy Renegade]

I use the Quietones, and have used the Mags in the past. I would definitely use the Quietones over the mags, no question. Personally I would look at the 4000 highhead as well, depending on the application you are using it for.

[bigbill]

i run a mag 12 b on my 80 and yes the only real draw back is the heat but my tank is in the basement so it kinda acts like a 3rd heater thus makeing my normal heaters work less so the heat is good for my tank but can cause problems in the summer with others

[CalmSeasQuest]

I've been running a WaterBlaster HY5000 for about 6 months - It's been perfect so far. Good output and efficiency and it has always restarted.