BRStv Buyer's Guide To Choosing The Right Return Pump
The BRStv Buyer's Guide To Return Pumps is our commitment to your success! We give you the most up-to-date and insightful advice possible so you are armed with the necessary knowledge to make the right move when it comes time to purchase a return pump. After all, a return pump is one of the most critical pieces of gear on your tank because it moves water through your sump and aquarium. Essentially, it's like the heart of your tank, pumping water through the filtration system. 
Best Selling Return Pump
Not surprising but true nonetheless, Sicce takes the cake for being the MOST POPULAR pump brand on our website. Most popular meaning we sell more Sicce pumps than any other brand. In fact, Sicce sales out-compete others by 4:1 which just goes to show the value is real.
Sicce is an Italian pump manufacturer that is laser-focused on pumps. Pumps are what they do and the only thing they do which really shows in the performance and value. They make long-lasting, quiet water pumps in a range of styles suited for a variety of uses in and around your saltwater tank. The Syncra Silent pump series specifically is one of the best AC-powered return pumps to have ever hit the saltwater aquarium hobby, you just cannot find a better-performing AC pump for the price.
Leading DC Powered Pumps
Compared to AC pumps, DC pump sales are spread fairly evenly across the different brands. Whether it's brand loyalty, price, or it simply looks good alongside your sump and PVC, we find there is no distinct winner in terms of a customer favorite based on sales.
- Neptune Systems COR
- EcoTech Marine Vectra
- Red Sea ReefRun G2
- Sicce Syncra SDC
- Innovative Marine MightyJet
- Maxspect Jump
- Reef Breeders Nautilus
It is no secret we are big fans of Neptune Systems Apex Aquarium Controllers here at BRS and both of our beloved hosts would choose the Neptune System COR water pump for use on a reef aquarium outfitted with a Neptune Apex. For tanks without a controller, our team widely agreed that Sicce is among their favorite pump to be used on a reef tank, especially when an AC-powered pump is desired.
Now that we have presented our favorites and the brands the entire community chooses most, we are breaking it down by what matters most to you. As you follow along, just think about which one of the following values speaks most to you and your tank. What is most important to YOU when it comes to a return pump.
Most Affordable
If price is the priority, the clear winner is the Lifegard Quiet One Pro pumps. These are no-frills AC-powered pumps that will get the job done without a fuss. The connection outlets are threaded for easy plumbing on a majority of the models and they also have an adjustable intake strainer that will allow you to make some minor adjustments to the flow.
Quietest Pump
Any DC-powered pump will run substantially quieter than the AC-powered models. This is just one of the big benefits of choosing a DC Pump, they are extremely quiet. All of the DC pump options we stock run pretty quiet so if noise is your concern, go DC every time.
Most Reliable
In terms of which pump will be most likely to keep your tank alive in the event of a failure, the answer isn't any particular brand rather a configuration. Run two pumps instead of one to ensure you always have a working pump. If one pump breaks, you have that second pump to keep your tank afloat.
Best Warranty
Warranty is a big indicator of exactly how much a manufacturer trusts its own craftsmanship. Each pump will come with an individual warranty but the point here is to choose a pump that comes with an acceptable warranty for the price. Sicce has established themselves as an industry leader when it comes to warranty and offer a limited 5 year warranty on their SDC line of water pumps.
Up To The Highest Heights
If you are in a situation in which you require water to be pushed to considerable heights, external pumps are the way to go. They can deliver much higher water pressure and move water a long distance should you require it. Be sure to review the specifications before choosing the right pump, as some models are designed for higher flow rates and larger pipe diameters, while others are designed for higher pressure and moving water longer distances. It's just a matter of choosing the right model for your particular tank and plumbing application.
Most Accurate GPH Control
If precise control over your pump is important, be sure you're looking at DC water pumps. DC pumps use electronic speed controls to speed up or slow down the pump motor in turn giving you incremental control over the flow rate. This can be extremely useful in the case of UV sterilizers and tuning your return flow based on your overflow box drains.
Other Things To Consider
- Does the pump have an auto-shutoff or is it compatible with a float level switch?
- Assume that your actual water flow will be about 50% of the maximum flow advertised water flow after going through your plumbing.
- You only need about x3 total tank volume turnover per hour. For example, A 50-gallon tank will only require 150 GPH of flow through the sump.
- Only use external pumps when you absolutely have to and if you do, choose a pump designed specifically for external applications.
- Does your pump provide you with notifications in the event of a problem? Is this feature important to you?
- Always register for the warranty.
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