Gear
Return pumps: what reef keepers commonly use
The pump that sends water from the sump back up to the display. Below are 3 items we see often, each with our honest note and where to view it in the UK and the US.
We sell nothing and earn nothing from these links. Prices are as each retailer's page showed them on the date checked, and they change. How this guide works
Listings checked . How we check
What should you look for in return pumps?
- Flow at your real head height. The headline figure is at zero height and you will never see it.
- DC pumps can be turned down and paused for feeding; plain mains pumps cost less and have fewer parts to fail.
- A spare, or at least a plan, since a stopped return pump stops the whole system.
Commonly used return pumps
Specs are as published on the listed pages. Where the US and UK pages give different figures, we show both.
Sicce Syncra Silent 3.0
Brand: Sicce
Our note. A simple mains (AC) pump used as a return or general utility pump on small to mid systems. It is dependable and cheap but has no speed control, so flow is set with a valve.
Key specs
- 714 GPH / 2,700 lph
- Max head 9.9 ft / 300 cm
- 48 W (BRS)
UK listing
Kraken Corals (UK): opens the retailer's page for Sicce Syncra Silent 3.0 in the United Kingdom- Price as shown
- £72.99
- Checked
US listing
Bulk Reef Supply (US): opens the retailer's page for Sicce Syncra Silent 3.0 in the United States- Price as shown
- US$149.99
- Checked
Jebao / Jecod DCP-10000
Brand: Jebao (Jecod)
Our note. A low-cost DC return pump with a controller for fine flow adjustment and a feed pause. Good value for larger tanks, though long-term reliability is less proven than premium brands, so many keep a spare.
Key specs
- Up to 10,000 lph, adjustable from 3,000 in 1% steps (Kraken)
- 80 W
- Max head 19.6 ft (Amazon title)
UK listing
Kraken Corals (UK): opens the retailer's page for Jebao / Jecod DCP-10000 in the United Kingdom- Price as shown
- £147.99
- Checked
US listing
Amazon.com (US): opens the retailer's page for Jebao / Jecod DCP-10000 in the United States- Price as shown
- Price not shown on the page when we checked
- Checked
EcoTech Vectra M2
Brand: EcoTech Marine
Our note. A quiet, app-controlled DC pump for larger systems that can also run a closed loop. It is costly and more pump than most small tanks need.
Key specs
- 2,000 GPH / 7,500 lph
- Max head 21.5 ft
- Up to 96 W
- 1.25 in inlet, 1 in outlet
UK listing
Kraken Corals (UK): opens the retailer's page for EcoTech Vectra M2 in the United Kingdom- Price as shown
- £439.99
- Checked
US listing
Bulk Reef Supply (US): opens the retailer's page for EcoTech Vectra M2 in the United States- Price as shown
- US$499.88
- Checked